Summer cold or allergies?
Posted: 17th August 2018 | Posted by Costa
Summer cold or allergies?
Do you spend the summer nights restless because you’re caught in a seemingly endless cycle of sneezing, or maybe you can’t get your eyes to stop itching! Well, it might be because the summer cold has returned and is in full swing.
What causes a summer cold?
The virus strain enterovirus causes summer colds whereas the rhinoviruses virus causes the winter cold. The enterovirus can infect the nose and throat tissue but can also affect the digestive system as well as skin.
It’s all too easy to pick up a summer cold during the heat as fans and aircon can dry out our nose which lets the enterovirus more likely to affect us.
How does it differ from a winter cold?
Summer and winter colds don’t differ much as both have similar symptoms; however, the winter cold is usually more full on but short-lived; whereas the summer cold continues for a prolonged amount of time. Symptoms include:
- Runny nose/sneezing
- Fatigue
- Temperature
- A sore throat/cough
If your symptoms are a continuing issue, and they don’t show signs of stopping, you may have an allergy as these symptoms are also closely linked to allergies such as hay-fever. Signs that it’s an allergy include:
- Your symptoms worsen in outdoor areas where there is a high level of pollen
- Symptoms continue past the two-week mark
- Your eyes are itchy, watering, or sting
If you know that you have allergies and that this signs ring true and worsen when you spend time outdoors, then the chances are that it’s your allergies flaring up. If you’re not sure or haven’t yet tested for allergies, then your next step should be doing just that.
Allergy testing
But it could always be your allergies acting up. We offer home testing across the UK both for adults and children. In fact, there are 400 allergens that could be affecting you without you realising. Just fill out our online form, receive your testing kit in the post, and return your results to us. It’s better to find out what’s causing your runny nose sooner rather than later.
Why suffer? You should be able to enjoy the summer by knowing what precautions to take to avoid discomfort. Allergy season may come and go; however, if your symptoms point to something other than hayfever or sensitivity to dust, then it’s better to find out.
Did you know that medical professionals could save more than 11,500 lives every year if people we open to seeking help before their symptoms took a turn for the worse?
Solve the mystery behind your summer sniffles with our remote home testing. At the London Allergy and Immunology Centre, we can test for over 100 different allergens at once. It’s time to find out whether it’s a cold or allergy that is bothering you. Book an appointment here to take the first steps to enjoy your summer not hate it.