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Is Coughing A Sign Of Allergies

Is There An Additional Threat

Is Coughing a Sign of Asthma? | Family Allergy and Asthma

We dont have enough information to know whether having seasonal allergies puts you in a higher risk for contracting COVID-19, or if allergies can make contracting the virus worse, Dr. Kocur said. We do know that older adults and people with medical conditions like diabetes, obesity and heart or lung disease are at higher risk for serious complications from COVID-19.

The best way to protect yourself and manage seasonal allergies is a relationship with your primary care provider and an allergist. An honest, open line of communication will help your doctor assess your situation and determine the best course of action to keep you and your family safe.

Are There Home Remedies To Help With Cough

There are several home remedies you can try which may help with easing your persistent cough.

A warm drink of honey and lemon can reduce the irritation at the back of your throat and ease your cough, even if only temporarily. The lemon acts as a disinfectant to prevent any infections from developing or worsening your conditionKeeping hydrated by drinking plenty of water is important. This will not only help to prevent your throat from becoming dry or irritated, but also flush out any pollen which has lodged in your throat and paletteAvoid dry or smoky atmospheres, and if possible, avoid going outside at times when the pollen count is high.

What To Do If You Have Anaphylaxis

Give yourself epinephrine right away if you start to:

  • have trouble breathing
  • feel tightness in your throat
  • have two or more milder allergic symptoms together

Don’t try to use an inhaler or antihistamine and wait to see what happens. Go straight for the epinephrine! Time matters during anaphylaxis.

If you have signs of a serious allergic reaction:

  • Use the epinephrine auto-injector right away. Then call 911.
  • Lay down with your legs raised while you wait for the ambulance.
  • Go to the emergency room, even if symptoms improve after epinephrine. You must be under medical supervision for several hours. This is because a second wave of serious symptoms can happen. You can get more treatment at the emergency room, if you need it.
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    You Have A Fever And Are Feeling Achey

    Another distinction between allergies and COVID? A fever, one of the tell-tale signs your body is responding to a virus. While the flu also tends to come with a fever, according to Narayan, allergies and the common cold usually do not, so at least that rules out two potential illnesses.

    If your cough is “associated with fever muscle aches call your health care provider to see if you should be tested for COVID,” Poston warns. And for more useful information on COVID delivered straight to your inbox, .

    Your Dogs Feet Smell Like Corn Chips And They Wont Stop Licking Them

    Man Coughing Thin Line Icon, Allergy Concept, Cough Sign On White ...

    While most humans think that the corn chip smell is normal for a dogs feet, its actually a sign of bacteria. If your dog is also licking their feet, its not because theyre cleaningtheir feet are itchy.

    If your dogs hair is a light color, you may notice fur staining of the feet, a symptom in which the fur takes on a dark red, coppery color due to the dogs saliva.

    The classic corn chip odor of the feet, which many people believe to be completely normal in dogs, is caused by skin infections, either from bacteria or fungi . So how is this symptom related to allergies?

    The inflammation associated with skin allergies breaks down the normal skin barrier over time. As a result, opportunistic microbes like yeast and bacteria can go from resting peacefully on the surface to diving deeper, where they set up infections and cause problems.

    Addressing these secondary infections will be one of the first steps that your veterinarian will want to take in treating your allergic dog.

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    Is It Allergies Or A Cold

    Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference between allergies and the common cold. There are more than a hundred strains of cold viruses. Each tends to become widespread at certain times of the year, which is why you may mistake a cold for a seasonal allergy. Allergies occur at the same time every year and last as long as the allergen is in the air . Allergies cause itching of the nose and eyes along with other nasal symptoms. Colds last about one week and have less itching of the nose and eyes.

    Why Allergies May Cause A Cough

    A cough is your bodys reflex to an allergen or irritant in your throat or airway.

    Allergies can also cause a cough due to postnasal drip.

    Normally, mucus in your sinuses drains through your nose.

    But if your sinuses are swollen due to allergies and cant drain, mucus may drip into your throat and trigger a cough.

    Its also common for people with seasonal allergies to experience postnasal drip at night when theyre lying in bed.

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    Grass And Tree Pollen

    Pollen is a tiny substance released by plants to fertilize other plants.

    Tree, ragweed, and grass pollen commonly cause allergic reactions in affected individuals during the spring, summer, and fall months.

    Depending on where you live, grass and tree pollen allergies may also be bothersome during the winter.

    Your Eyes Are Itchy And Watery

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    While you might notice some redness or discomfort around your eyes when you’re sick with a cold, it’s more likely that allergies are causing eye symptoms like watering and itching, Dr. Rosenstreich said.

    Your nose and throat might feel itchy with a cold, said Dr. Metcalfe, but a cold usually doesn’t affect the eyes. Allergies may also cause some swelling around the eyes, added Dr. Parikh.

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    You Notice Recurring Hot Spots

    Formally known as pyotraumatic dermatitis, hot spots are common in dogs, especially in breeds like Goldens, Labs, and Saint Bernards.

    Like ear infections, hot spots can arise on their own, or they can be secondary to underlying allergies. If you feel like youre always treating a new hot spot on your dog, talk to your veterinarian about allergies.

    You Notice A Seasonal Pattern

    If you’re the type of person who knows they get the same cold every March, it might be time to reconsider what the culprit actually is. “If you notice it’s seasonal like clockwork, and every spring or fall you get these symptoms, it might be allergy-related,” Dr. Parikh said.

    That holds true even if your seasonal symptoms occur earlier than you might think of as allergy season, Dr. Rosenstreich said. “In the Northeast, for example, most people are not aware of the fact that the trees begin to pollinate even when there’s still snow on the ground. Depending on the weather, people can have allergy symptoms in February.”

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    Symptoms Of Hay Fever

    Growing seasons cause plants to bloom and molds to multiply, so youll usually experience your symptoms at the same time every year. The timing can help you confirm that your symptoms are due to hay fever and not a viral infection.

    Symptoms associated with hay fever include:

    Year-round triggers for hay fever include:

    • pet dander, such as from cats, dogs, or birds
    • spores from fungi and molds that grow indoors

    These allergens set off a chain reaction after they get into your system. A hay fever cough is an aftereffect of postnasal drip.

    Postnasal drip occurs when allergens irritate the lining of your nose. This triggers your nasal passages to produce mucus, a sticky substance thats supposed to remove harmful or dirty particles from the air. Mucus associated with allergens tends to be more watery than the mucus your body produces when you arent sick or experiencing allergies. This watery mucus drips out of your nose and down your throat. This tickles the throat and leads to a hay fever cough.

    This cough usually comes with a constant tickling feeling in the throat. If youre exposed to your allergen when youre outdoors, your coughing will most likely be more frequent in the daytime.

    However, your cough will generally be worse at night. This effect is largely due to gravity. During the day, you stand and sit up more than at night. Mucus cant drain as easily at night when youre lying down.

    Why Do We Cough

    Allergy Infographic Symptoms Information Treatment Medicine Flat Cough ...

    Coughing is basically a response to irritation in your throat or airways. When you feel this irritation your receptors of the trachea, throat, and lungs quickly alert the cough center of your brain. Coughing is a defense mechanism against anything it might think has gotten stuck in your throat, trachea, or lungs. Things like pollen, mucus so can make way for air to easily travel through.

    Also Check: What To Take For Severe Seasonal Allergies

    Allergies And Asthma Attacks

    If you have asthma, exposure to your allergens may trigger an asthma attack, narrowing your airways and making it difficult to breathe.

    Always follow your doctors instructions for asthma treatment, including taking daily medications and using a rescue inhaler.

    If youre struggling to breathe and dont have medication or your medicine isnt working, call 911 or go to the emergency department immediately.

    What Are The Symptoms Of Allergy Cough

    The symptoms of allergic cough depend on what caused it.

    Broadly speaking, the symptoms of allergy cough may include:

    • Dry cough or cough with mucus which may manifest in certain settings like during pollen-heavy season or in presence of animals
    • Congestion of nose and throat

    These symptoms may be triggered by seasonal changes or occupational and environmental factors like pollutants. They may also differ in intensity from one day to the next depending on the presence of the irritant, says Dr Mayank.

    In her consultation, Priyanka revealed that she experienced a cough with mucus, sneezing and congestion, which made her feel weak and tired.

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    Characteristics Of Allergy Cough Vs Covid Cough

    Coughs caused by COVID-19 and coughs caused by allergies can seem very similar. You may be able to distinguish between a cough caused by allergies and a cough caused by COVID-19 or another virus based on the other symptoms you have with it.

    It is also possible to have allergies and COVID-19 at the same time. When this happens, you may have classic allergy symptoms like itchy eyes along with COVID-19 symptoms like fever and loss of taste and smell.

    Back Up: Why Do We Cough Anyway

    Asthma Symptoms

    Coughing is a natural response to irritation in your throat or airways. To put it simply, receptors in the throat, trachea, and lungs respond and lead to activation of the cough center in the brain, explains Clifford Bassett, M.D., founder and medical director of Allergy and Asthma Care of New York.

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    Coughing is an essential defense mechanism, he says, and its your bodys way of pushing any unwanted stuff out, including pollen, mucus, and pieces of food, to make more room for air to get through.

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    You Can’t Smell Or Taste Your Favorite Foods And Drinks

    There are dozens of symptoms that have been linked to COVID, some of which are seemingly innocuous. But one of the most telling ones is a loss of taste or smell, which is distinctly associated with COVID and not a cold, flu, or allergies. “If you have a cough with other COVID-19 symptoms like loss of taste or smell, that would increase the likelihood that you have COVID-19,” says Favini.

    The easiest, most foolproof way to know if your cough is from COVID, though, is getting a COVID test. “Ultimately, because of the spectrum of illness COVID-19 can cause and the prevalence around the country, testing is really needed to determine whether your cough may be COVID-19,” says Favini. “If you’re having a cough, you should act like you have COVID-19 by isolating, wearing a mask, and getting a test.” And for the only safe zone in terms of COVID infection, check out This Is the Only Time Someone With COVID Can’t Get You Sick, Doctor Says.

    You Don’t Have Phlegm

    Throughout the pandemic, the COVID cough has often been described as dry, which “generally means coughing without bringing up phlegm,” says Favini.

    However, COVID is hardly the only illness that causes a dry cough. “Allergies and gastroesophageal reflux can both cause a dry cough and shortness of breath,” notes Leann Poston, MD, contributor to Invigor Medical. And for more on where the virus is catching on, check out Almost All COVID Transmission Is Happening in These 5 Places, Doctor Says.

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    Do I Ever Need To Worry About A Cough

    Something important to remember: A coughno matter its causeshouldnt be your norm.

    Colds usually run their course within a couple of weeks, which means a cough associated with a cold should go away in about three weeks time , according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. The length of an allergy-related cough will vary depending on how you’re treating it.

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    But if you notice youre still barking after two months of symptoms, see your doc. You could either be dealing with an allergy youre not aware of or potentially suffering from another issue such as asthma , reflux, pneumonia, or bronchitis, says Dr. Bryson.

    And if something is bothering you enough to disrupt your life, don’t put off getting it checked out. If nothing else, seeing a doc will give you peace of mind and maybe even speed up your recovery time.

    Talk With Your Veterinarian

    Man Coughing Solid Icon, Allergy Concept, Cough Sign On White ...

    As always, talk to your veterinarian if you suspect that your dog may have allergies. They may perform tests to rule out more common or more serious diseases that can cause similar symptoms.

    To decide whether allergies are likely the culprit, your veterinarian will also take into account:

    • The age of onset

    • Your dogs breed

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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.

    Over The Counter Medications For Seasonal Allergies

    • Brand names listed as examples do not imply better quality over other brands. Generic equivalents may also exist.
    • Use only as directed on the package, unless your healthcare provider instructs you to do otherwise.
    • OTCs may interact with other medications or be potentially harmful if you have certain medical conditions. Talk to your pharmacist about options that are right for you.

    Antihistamine:Anithistamine/Decongestant

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    This Is How To Tell If Your Cough Is Covid Doctors Say

    We’ve all been there: Every time you sneeze, sniffle, cough, or feel winded lately, you’re wondering whether or not you’ve come down with the dreaded novel coronavirus. And if you’re cursed enough to cough in public, even if you’re wearing a mask, everyone’s eyes will dart towards you with judgment, assuming the worst. As unsettling as it may be, it’s normal to have COVID on the brain 24-7 these days, but the truth is, you don’t need to panic right away if you find yourself coughing. There are ways to tell if your cough is a symptom of COVID or if it’s something else, like allergies, a cold, or the flu.

    “There is a wide spectrum of cough severity in COVID-19, from mild to severe coughs or even severe lung illness. It can be difficult to differentiate between a cough caused by COVID-19 or something else,” says Nate Favini, MD, medical lead at Forward. Though he suggests getting “tested as quickly as possible” if you have a suspicious cough, Favini and other medical professionals explain that there are also a few things to consider when trying to decipher whether your cough is related to COVID or not. Read on to see what experts suggest when identifying where your cough is coming from, and for more on how the virus is spreading, check out Dr. Fauci Says This One Thing Could Spread COVID More Than Anything Yet.

    Related: Fauci lays out optimistic vaccine timeline

    Read the original article on Best Life.

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