Questions To Ask Your Doctor
- Could anything else, such as a cold or the flu, be causing my symptoms?
- How do I figure out what Im allergic to?
- Is my allergy seasonal?
- I am allergic to _____. Am I at risk for any other allergies?
- What changes can I make at home to relieve my symptoms?
- Will any over-the counter medicines relieve my symptoms?
- What should I do if my symptoms get worse or dont respond to the treatment youve prescribed?
- Do I need to see an allergy specialist ?
Dealing With Spring Allergies
Just as you decisively put away that winter jacket, an insidious dusty yellowish-green layer descends on your car and your life. Tree pollen is a milestone marker that spring has sprung and with it a myriad of frustrating ear, nose, and sinus symptoms. The local pharmacy has readied its shelves with a veritable cornucopia of nasal sprays and allergy pills in preparation for your highly anticipated patronage. While there is nothing fundamentally wrong with some of these medications, they are often ill-fitting band-aids for more significant problems.
Complementary And Alternative Medicines
Given the popularity of complementary and alternative medicines in the general population, it is reasonable for physicians to ask patients about their use of CAM in a nonjudgmental manner. Given the limited number of well-designed clinical trials examining the efficacy of CAM in allergic rhinitis, it is difficult for clinicians to evaluate these therapies and provide guidance. Nonetheless, since there will be patients who wish to pursue CAM for the management of allergic rhinitis, it is advisable to provide some information about these therapies including a discussion of the lack of high-quality studies evaluating some of these therapies.
Various CAM have been used for the management of allergic rhinitis, including traditional Chinese medicines, acupuncture, homeopathy, and herbal therapies . In a number of studies, acupuncture has been shown to provide modest benefits for patients with allergic rhinitis . However, acupuncture is time consuming.
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Seasonal Allergies Or Nonallergic Rhinitis
To see whether you have an allergy or something else, start by keeping track of your seasonal allergy symptoms, when you experience them, and what seems to trigger them.
Then see below to determine whether youre likely to have an allergy or nonallergic rhinitis.
Allergies
- Symptoms: Congestion, itchy and watery eyes, clear nasal discharge, sneezing, and scratchy or ticklish throat.
- When: Outdoor allergies usually start in February or March and end in October. Indoor allergies often last year-round, though they can come and go.
- Triggers: Pollen from trees, grass, and weeds indoor and outdoor mold pet dander dust mites flakes of dried skin and cockroach feces, saliva, or body parts.
Nonallergic Rhinitis
- Symptoms: Congestion, runny nose, and sneezing, but without the itchy eyes or sore throat.
- When: Often lasts year-round, though periodically.
- Triggers: Respiratory infections, changes in weather and temperature, cold or dry air, food , alcohol, strong odors or fumes, tobacco smoke, perfume, air pollution, and certain medications. Notable medication triggers include aspirin ibuprofen naproxen certain blood pressure drugs topical nasal decongestant sprays, such as phenylephrine and oxymetazoline erectile dysfunction drugs, such as sildenafil and tadalafil and the enlarged-prostate drug tamsulosin .
Why Does One Nostril Get Blocked When Lying Down
Blood Flow Changes When you lie down, your blood pressure changes. You may have increased blood flow to the upper part of your body, including your head and nasal passageways. This increased blood flow can inflame the vessels inside your nose and nasal passages, which can cause or worsen congestion.
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Can Allergic Rhinitis Be Prevented Or Avoided
Allergic rhinitis cannot be prevented. You can help your symptoms by avoiding the things that cause your symptoms.
- Keep windows closed. This is especially important during high-pollen seasons.
- Wash your hands after petting animals.
- Use dust- and mite-proof bedding and mattress covers.
- Wear glasses outside to protect your eyes.
- Shower before bed to wash off allergens from hair and skin.
You can also avoid things that can make your symptoms worse, such as:
How Contagious Are They
Colds are transmitted through virus droplets that a person sheds when they cough or sneeze when they have a cold.
An allergy is not contagious. If you have a sensitivity or allergy to a substance, you can develop a reaction. Someone who does not have the same sensitivity or allergy will not develop a reaction.
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Treatments For Allergic Rhinitis From A Gp
If pharmacy medicines do not help ease your allergic rhinitis symptoms, a GP may prescribe a different medicine, such as prescription steroid nasal sprays or antihistamines.
You may be referred to a specialist for further tests and treatment if it’s not clear what’s causing your symptoms or they’re severe.
Causes Of Sinus Congestion
- Viral Sinus Infection. Part of the common cold. A cold infects the lining of the nose. It also involves the lining of all the sinuses.
- Bacterial Sinus Infection. A problem when the sinus becomes infected with bacteria. . It starts as a viral sinus infection. Main symptoms are increased sinus pain or return of fever. The skin around the eyelids or cheeks may become red or swollen. Thick nasal secretions that last over 14 days may point to a sinus infection. This can occur in younger children.
- Allergic Sinus Reaction. Sinus congestion often occurs with nasal allergies . Sneezing, itchy nose and clear nasal discharge point to this cause.
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Talk With A Doctor Or Clinician To Create A Personalized Treatment Plan
If you arent sure if its a cold or allergies, or if your symptoms are severe or long-lasting, its best to connect with a care provider to get an official diagnosis and treatment plan.
If your allergy symptoms are left untreated, you could become more prone to getting sinus infections or other upper respiratory infections, or they may lead to poor asthma control.
Also, a common cold can turn severe. So if your cold has had you laid up longer than a day or two, get in touch with your doctor.
You have a couple options:
Make an appointment for face-to-face care from a primary care doctor or clinician. Whether you choose a video visit or in-person appointment, your doctor will listen to your symptoms, answer questions and work with you to create a tailored treatment plan including connecting you with an allergist or an otolaryngologist if needed.
Start a virtual visit anytime, anyplace through Virtuwell. With Virtuwell, no appointment is necessary and treatment is available 24/7. Getting started is easy. Well ask you a few questions, and youll get your diagnosis and treatment plan from a board-certified nurse practitioner. Each visit is just $59 or less, depending on your insurance.
Nasal Allergy Symptoms You Shouldnt Ignore
If you have nasal allergies, you may be used to sneezing and congestion that last the entire day. But you donât have to just put up with it. Whether youâre allergic to dust mites, tree pollen, or animal dander, you can find relief for your nasal allergy symptoms.
âSome people suffer with seasonal allergies for years before they learn that there are effective treatments,â says James Sublett, MD, chief of pediatric allergy at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Kentucky. But there are good reasons why you shouldnât wait to treat allergies.
âIf allergy symptoms arenât treated early, they can actually get worse over time,â Sublett says.
Here are five allergy symptoms you shouldnât ignore and what you can do about them.
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Allergies Usually Do Not Cause Wet Coughs
While coughing is often a symptom of both allergies and colds, the type of cough for each is different. A cold cough is wet and hacking, and typically produces mucus or phlegm that gets progressively thicker, often taking on a green or yellow tinge.
Allergies can cause a cough that feels like you have a tickle in your throat. Thats because allergens often irritate the lining of your nose, which triggers your nasal passages to create a watery mucus. This can drip out of your nose and down the back of your throat, creating that tickling sensation. This is referred to as post-nasal drip.
What Does A Sinus Headache Feel Like
Sinus headaches are headaches that may feel like an infection in the sinuses . You may feel pressure around your eyes, cheeks and forehead.Perhaps your head throbs. However, many people who assume they have headaches from sinusitis, including many who have received such a diagnosis, actually have migraines.
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What Is Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is an allergic reaction to tiny particles in the air called allergens. When you breathe in allergens through your nose or mouth, your body reacts by releasing a natural chemical called histamine. Several indoor and outdoor allergens cause hay fever. Common causes include dust mites, mold, pet dander and pollen from trees and plants.
Symptoms of hay fever include sneezing, nasal congestion and irritation of the nose, throat, mouth and eyes. Allergic rhinitis is not the same as infectious rhinitis, otherwise known as the common cold. Hay fever is not contagious.
Simple Ways To Relieve Congestion
As you can see, while they are caused by different things a lot of the symptoms are the same. A stuffy nose can throw your entire day off balance. Your voice becomes distorted and breathing is a struggle. Nasal congestion is one of the most common side effects of allergies and the common cold, so many people experience these symptoms numerous times a year.
Contrary to popular belief, congestion isnt caused by an excessive build-up of mucous in your nasal passage. In fact, it actually occurs when the blood vessels in your nasal tissue become swollen due to excess fluid. If youre experiencing nasal congestion, here are some simple ways to get relief:
To find an allergy clinic in Houston, or to learn more about allergy testing procedures, contact our team to at 713-328-0828.
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If Your Skin Is Irritated Or Your Body Is Swollen You May Have An Undiagnosed Allergy
If you’re experiencing a rash that won’t go away, makes an appearance after you eat a certain food, gets worse with specific medications, or pops up after coming into physical contact with an irritant, you might have an allergy.
Dr. Purvi Parikh, allergist and immunologist with Allergy & Asthma Network, told INSIDER that rashes that persist for weeks or rashes that only appear during certain seasons could be signs of an undiagnosed allergy.
Breaking out in hives or experiencing swelling in your face, hands, and other parts of your body might indicate that you have an allergy, added Dr. Kim. Reddened skin, itching, and peeling are also common signs of a skin allergy, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Complications Of Allergic Rhinitis
If you have allergic rhinitis, there’s a risk you could develop further problems.
A blocked or runny nose can result in difficulty sleeping, drowsiness during the daytime, irritability and problems concentrating. Allergic rhinitis can also make symptoms of asthma worse.
The inflammation associated with allergic rhinitis can also sometimes lead to other conditions, such as nasal polyps, sinusitis and middle ear infections. These are described below.
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You Seem To Always Have A Combination Of Frustrating Symptoms Like A Stuffy Nose And Itchy Skin
Dr. Bora Kim, DO at ENT and Allergy Associates who is board-certified in allergy and immunology, told INSIDER that some people with allergies report always having a sore throat, stuffy nose, itchy skin, or headaches whereas others might have a dry cough or dyspnea that comes and goes.
She said each symptom by itself may not signify you have an allergy but, if you are experiencing multiple symptoms at once for an extended period of time, you might want to talk to your doctor.
Do I Have Allergies Or A Cold
You wake up with watery eyes, a stuffy nose and congested sinuses. This is the worst, you think to yourself. Youre clearly coming down with something but is it allergies, or a full-on cold?
Although the two have some similar symptoms, there are also key differences and once you learn to tell them apart, you can figure out the best way to treat your symptoms and get some relief. Read on to find out more with Flonase.
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What Are The Treatments For Allergic Rhinitis
The first and best option is to avoid contact with substances that trigger your nasal allergies . When prevention is not enough, consider using over-the-counter or prescription medicines:
- Antihistamines are taken by mouth or as a nasal spray. They can relieve sneezing and itching in the nose and eyes. They also reduce a runny nose and, to a lesser extent, nasal stuffiness.
- are taken by mouth or as a nasal spray or drops. They help shrink the lining of the nasal passages which relieves nasal stuffiness. These nose drops and sprays should be taken short-term.
- Nasal corticosteroids are used in nasal spray form. They reduce inflammation in the nose and block allergic reactions. They are the most effective medicine type for allergic rhinitis because they can reduce all symptoms, including nasal congestion. Nasal corticosteroids have few side effects.
- Leukotriene receptor antagonists block the action of important chemical messengers other than histamine that are involved in allergic reactions.
- Cromolyn sodium is a nasal spray that blocks the release of chemicals that cause allergy symptoms, including histamine and leukotrienes. This medicine has few side effects, but you must take it four times a day.
Nasal allergy symptoms may disappear completely when the allergen is removed or after the allergy is treated. Talk to your pharmacist and health care provider about what is best for you.
Can You Have A Sinus Infection Without Discolored Mucus
You dont have the discolored mucus that you blow out of your nose or goes down the back of your throat associated with a cough, associated with a fever, fatigue, he explains. So theres a lot of extra symptoms that would tell you that you have a sinus infection, in addition to having the symptoms of a cold.
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Do You Have Allergies Or A Cold
A cold is caused by a viral infection. In order to protect you from the virus, your bodys immune system releases white blood cells.
This causes an increase in mucous production and leads to your nose and throat becoming inflamed. You will become tired because your body is using up a lot of energy fighting the virus.
Allergies are different. An allergic reaction is caused by your body mistaking a harmless substance for something dangerous and attacking it. The sneezing and coughing you experience with allergies are caused by your body trying to fight off the allergen.
Colds are contagious and usually last for three to 14 days. They come with a cough, sore throat and a runny nose. Often they are accompanied by aches and fatigue. Itchy, watery eyes and a fever rarely occur.
Allergies are not contagious and can last as long as you are in contact with what you are allergic to. Itchy, watery red eyes and a runny or stuffy nose are common with allergies. Usually, these symptoms are accompanied by a cough, fatigue and a sore throat. The main difference between allergy symptoms and cold symptoms is that allergies never come with aches or a fever.
The Lowdown On Stressed Sinuses
A flare-up of seasonal allergies, called hay fever, causes stuffy noses and irritated sinuses. But allergy sufferers will notice mainly that they have a runny nose with clear output and itchy, watery eyes. Their symptoms are also often tied to certain times of year and specific allergens like animal dander, dust, pollen or mold.
If youre plugged up with thick mucus thats green or yellow, you could have an infection. Sinus infectionswhether caused by bacteria or a viruscan also bring along other symptoms like mild headache, fatigue, weakness or a cough. Viruses are far more likely to be the cause of sinus infections. Certain symptoms increase the probably of bacterial sinusitis:
- Persistent sinusitis symptoms for longer than 10 days, especially with double worsening. This means symptoms start to improve and then get worse a few days later.
- A fever, especially a high one over 102 .
- Asymmetric pain in one or more sinus areas. These include under or above the eyes and above the bridge of the nose.
Teladoc gives you best-in-class care from doctors from wherever you are. Access our doctors by phone or video to diagnose, treat and even prescribe medicine if needed for common conditions like allergies, cough, flu, pink eye, rashes, sinus infections, sore throats, stomach bugs, UTI and more. Schedule a visit now to talk to a doctor 24/7 for non-emergency conditions.
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Five Ways To Relieve Sinus Pressure
The pain, facial pressure and congestion of sinus infections affect more than 26.9 million Americans roughly 11 percent of adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Most sinus infections, also called sinusitis, do not need to be treated with antibiotics, and will usually go away within 7-10 days.
One of the most annoying symptoms is the sinus pressure around the eyes, head and cheeks. Fortunately, there are several home remedies and medications that can help provide relief.
Allergies Rarely Cause Sore Throats Or Body Aches
The only ache you may feel with allergies is a headache from all that congestion. Allergies can cause a sore throat if theres enough irritation from post-nasal drip and coughing, but if youre experiencing a sore throat or mild body aches, theyre more likely a sign of a bad cold.
Can allergies cause chills? No. If you have chills, its more likely you have a cold, the flu or another infection .
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