Monthly Archives: November 2018
Allergiest vs. Cold by NYC top Allergist
Cold, Flu or Allergy? A Look at the Differences
In many cases, we might dismiss symptoms of allergies as a common cold or flu. But in some cases, this could actually mask something more serious. Knowing if you’re actually suffering from a form of allergy or just the common flu will not only allow you to treat your condition better but will allow you to prevent it as well. In this article, we will give you a few tips on how to identify each condition.
What Are Allergies and Colds Exactly?
Before you can tell the difference between colds and allergies, it’s important that you understand how each condition affects your body first. First of all, when you get the flu or a cold, the condition is caused by a virus. Once that virus enters your system, your immune system will counter-attack. This is what will be at the root of your symptoms.
One of the biggest differences between both conditions is that colds are contagious. You pick them up from other carriers. This means you can protect yourself from them by limiting contact. And after a few days or weeks, the virus is gone.
But with allergens, your immune system mistakenly identifies non-harmful intruders as viruses and start an immune reaction. This could be triggered by something like dust or pollen for instance. But where it gets tricky is that both conditions will release histamines into the body, which will make symptoms confusing. And allergies aren’t contagious either.
How Are They Different?
Colds and allergies differ in many ways. First there’s duration. A common cold or flu will only last a couple of weeks max, whereas allergies can last for months. Colds will also have a tendency to manifest during the winter, while allergies can manifest all year long, though there might be some peak seasons for things like pollen for instance.
With viruses like the cold, symptoms may start showing up only after a few days after you’ve been infected. With allergies, it’s instant. Symptoms will be very different as well. With a cold, you might experience aches or fever, while this will be largely nonexistent with allergies.
So How Do I Know Which is Which?
One of the easiest ways to know if you’re dealing with a flu or cold or an allergy is the duration. If the symptoms last more than two weeks, then it could be a sign that you’re dealing with allergies. On the other hand, if your symptoms are aggravating, then it could be a sign of something more serious.
If you think your symptoms are consistent with allergies, then it would be wise to consult an allergist today so that you can undergo testing. If that is the case, contact us today to schedule an appointment with the best allergist in New York.
Allergy Treatments
How Are Allergies Treated?
Allergies can be treated in a wide variety of ways. The way you treat your allergy will depend primarily on the severity of the allergy and the nature of the allergy in question. If your allergies are that serious that they could actually directly affect your life quality, then it would be wise to get a consultation and know the full range of treatments at your disposition. In this article, we’re going to give you some of the most common treatment options for various types of allergies.
Nasal Spray
Nasal sprays are some of the most common types of treatments for different types of allergies. While some can be found over the counter, others require a prescription as well. However, there are many types of nasal sprays available and they all work differently.
One of the most popular type of nasal sprays for the treatment of allergies are steroid sprays. They will work by reducing swelling and inflammation in the nasal passageways to facilitate airflow and relieve congestion. They’re the best for the most severe congestion cases and persistent cases. However, they aren’t usually the fastest acting.
Antihistamine sprays work by stopping the flow of histamine in your sinuses and nose to relieve symptoms.
Decongestant sprays are another short-term solution but should not be used for a prolonged period of time since people might start to build tolerance and symptoms could actually become worse over time. Salt sprays can be a better solution. Their effect might not be as dramatic, but they don’t have as many side effects either.
Allergy Drugs
A variety of drugs, both prescription and OTC, can be ingested in the form of pills or liquid to stop the effect of allergens. In addition to nasal sprays, you can take antihistamines orally as well. Decongestants may also be taken orally to reduce the symptoms.
Mast Cell Stabilizers
This type of medication will block the release of certain chemical releases by your immune system to prevent symptoms from manifesting. These will usually work better when comes the time to prevent certain reactions instead of treating them, so they will be prescribed before the high season to prevent episodes from happening.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is also a long-term option to treat allergies. It works by introducing a tiny bit of the allergen into the system little by little so that it doesn’t start triggering the production of immune cells. More will be introduced over time to neutralize the production. Immunotherapy can be administered in the form of drops of shots.
If you want more information about the various treatment methods and want to know which one would be the best for you, it’s advised that you consult a professional. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with the best allergy specialist in New York.
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