Tips for Winter Allergies

Do I Have Allergies or a Cold?

When you’re experiencing a runny nose and a cough, it’s easy to shrug them off as signs that you have a cold. However, these symptoms may also point to allergies. While seasonal allergies often strike during warmer times of the year, environmental allergies can wreak havoc on your body year-round.

Knowing the difference between the two can help you to find the right remedy, getting you back to 100% as soon as possible.

Allergy Symptoms

Allergies are one of the most common chronic diseases. While this may sound alarming, chronic disease refers to a condition that lasts for an extended period of time occurs often. Allergies occur when your body identifies a substance as harmful and overreacts in an attempt to protect your body.

Environmental allergies are generally due to exposure to certain substances in your surroundings, such as dust, mold, or pet dander. The symptoms that arise are referred to as an allergic reaction. Some of the most common allergic reaction symptoms include:

• Watery eyes
• Runny nose
• Nasal congestion
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Coughing
• Rashes
• Hives

When to See a Doctor

While many allergy issues do not require treatment, others can interfere with day-to-day activities or even be life-threatening. You should talk with a medical professional if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing
• You experience your allergy symptoms for several months out of the year
• Over-the-counter medications don’t relieve symptoms
• You often wheeze or cough
• You have asthma attacks even when taking asthma medication
• You feel tightness in your chest

Cold Symptoms

The common cold is a viral infection that mostly affects people during the winter and spring. While symptoms may vary from person to person, here are some of the most common signs that may point to the presence of the respiratory infection:

• Sore or irritated throat
• Coughing
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Headaches
• Body aches

When to See a Doctor

While most people recover on their own from a cold in about seven-10 days, you should see a medical professional if you experience any of the following:

• Symptoms last longer than ten days
• Symptoms are abnormally severe
• If an infant younger than three months has a fever

Walk-in-Clinic in Gillette, Wyoming

From the sniffles to sneezing, it can be hard to determine if it’s a cold or allergies. That's where the Walk-in Clinic in Gillette, Wyoming, can help. We can provide you with the personal and quality care that you need. Save your spot in line or walk-in today! Learn more at www.cchwyo.org/wic.