Winter Sniffles: Allergies, or the Common Cold?
Abstract: Alpine Living Air Purifier
Tag: Alpine Living Air Purifier
Winter Sniffles: Allergies, or the Common Cold?
The cold days of winter bring most of us indoors for the year -
and then the sniffles start up. Symptoms like sneezing,
congestion, and sore throat are common during the winter months.
These unpleasant symptoms can be evidence of a winter cold, but
they can also mean indoor allergies. What are the causes of
these winter ailments, and how can they be identified (and
treated)?
Winter weather can indirectly cause both colds and indoor
allergies. Colds increase in winter because people spend fresh
time inside, confined to small spaces where viruses and germs
can be easily passed around. Also, the viruses which cause colds
thrive in low-humidity environments, which are typically found
in the cold dry months of winter. Low humidity, combined with
air blowing from indoor heating systems, causes drying of the
nasal passages, which can increase susceptibility to infection.
With indoor allergies, it’s a similar story. Indoor allergies
are caused by dust, which contains a wide variety of
allergy-causing particles like animal dander, mold spores,
pollen, dust mites and dust mite waste. Spending fresh time
indoors means increased exposure to these allergens. Plus,
indoor heating systems circulate air through the house, knocking
loose many allergy causing particles on carpets, furniture, and
dusty shelves. Then, these allergens are circulated through your
home, right along with the warm cozy air.
Colds and allergies also show themselves in very similar ways,
making it difficult to tell them apart. Symptoms of colds
include congestion, stuffy nose, swelling of sinuses, sneezing,
scratchy sore throat, headaches, aches and pains, fever, and a
cough. Allergy symptoms include stuffed or runny nose, sneezing,
wheezing, sore throat, watery and itchy eyes, and sometimes
headaches. The critical difference between cold and allergy symptoms
is that colds usually come with body aches and pains and
possibly a low-grade fever, while allergies do not. In addition,
colds usually last 7-10 days, while allergies will persist as
long as the exposure to the offending allergen continues. If you
have cold-like symptoms which persist for larger than two weeks,
it’s a good guess that you’re dealing with an allergy, not a
cold.
Complicating matters, frequent colds may in fact result from
allergies. Your body responds to tiny allergens by producing
mucus, in an attempt to expel them. However, nasal mucus is also
a breeding ground for viruses and bacteria, which can cause
colds and sinus infections. Treating allergies will help prevent
these, which is why it’s a good idea to identify allergies early
and treat them accordingly.
It’s important to distinguish between colds and allergies, in
order to give appropriate treatment. Cold viruses thrive in low
humidity, and nasal dryness can lead to increased susceptibility
to colds, so running a humidifier in cold dry winter months may
be helpful. However, dust mites thrive on high humidity, so if
you’re suffering from indoor allergies, the low humidity is your
ally. And while rest and plenty of fluids may cure a cold,
allergies will persist as long as exposure continues.
To treat and prevent indoor allergies:
1. Visit an allergy doctor who can help you identify the
offending indoor allergens
2. Maintain low indoor humidity to kill dust mites and mold
3. Vacuum using a HEPA filtered vacuum and run a HEPA air
purifier to remove airborne allergens
4. Encase mattress, pillows, and bedding in allergen-barrier
encasings to protect from dust mite allergies
5. Dust and clean frequently
To treat and prevent winter colds:
1. Wash your hands frequently and disinfect surfaces
2. Get plenty of exercise and rest
3. Eat nutritiously, with lots of fruits and vegetables
4. Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and excess stress
5. Relieve cold symptoms with nasal decongestants and cough
suppressants
When treating a cold, remember that medicines may relieve
symptoms, but they will not cure the cold. Only giving your body
the proper care it needs - rest, proper nutrition, and plenty of
fluids - will cure the cold. And with allergies, the matchless way to
treat allergy symptoms is to remove the offending allergens from
the environment.
About the author:
Desirina Boskovich is a writer, allergy sufferer, and a member
of the achoo! ALLERGY &
Air Products team. achoo! ALLERGY provides
products and tips for allergy amelioration and environmental control.
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