Is it a common cold or your allergies? How to know the difference

23rd January 2019

Is it a common cold or your allergies? How to know the difference

With the winter months now in full swing, many of us will end up enduring a common cold, cough, or chest infection. But don’t make this one mistake. Symptoms for the common cold can be all too similar to allergies. If you’re still experiencing your symptoms well into the new year, it’s time to ask yourself: what’s really making you ill?

Symptoms

If your winter cold isn’t going away, especially after a week, your symptoms might point to allergies. Allergic rhinitis and the common cold (and other upper respiratory issues) both have similar symptoms. Symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, and fatigue are typical traits of both, but if you are also experiencing hives or itchy eyes, it might be time to consider another cause.

Another sign that your infection is actually allergic rhinitis is that cold side effects develop slower in contrast to allergies. However, symptoms like sore throats, fever, and aches may indicate that your cold has developed into a further infection. If this is the case, it’s best to talk to your GP. The above signs might also point to non-allergic rhinitis.

Triggers

Exposure to triggers such as pollen, food, or dust usually cause your body to react almost immediately. If you find yourself suffering from cold-like symptoms, you might have something else to point the finger at.

During the winter allergies can go wild. With Christmas trees, family gatherings, and plenty of food, it’s likely that you’ll come into contact with your fair share of allergens. So if you already know your triggers, be on the lookout.

Both colds and allergies affect the immune system, so it’s easy to see why you might confuse the conditions. While you may, in fact, be suffering from a bothersome but ultimately harmless cold, we highly recommend being tested for allergies. It’s better to be safe than sorry if one day the worst comes to pass. Don’t just stay warm this winter: stay healthy.

If you have been suffering from a ‘cold’ for more than a week, it could be a sign of allergic rhinitis. Find out once and for all why you feel unwell with the help of an allergy test and begin the new year allergy-free. Request an allergy test from us or visit our website.

Seasonal allergies: why you need the flu vaccination

30th October 2018

Seasonal allergies: why you need the flu vaccination

With winter quickly approaching, the public is already suffering from runny noses, coughs, and colds. But sometimes these symptoms can be more than the common cold; they could be signs of the flu. But what exactly is the flu and how does it differ from your run of the mill common cold?

What is it?

The flu, or influenza, is a respiratory illness that is most common during the winter. There are three types: A, B, and C.

• Type A: This type of flu is the culprit behind significant outbreaks that occur every few years. Unlike B and C, A type flu infects both humans and animals, such as wild birds.
• Type B: Less common than A and only found in humans.
• Type C: Not as dangerous as B and A, and unlikely to cause an epidemic.

Although colds and the flu are both contagious and have similar side effects, the difference is that you may experience a fever, body aches, and exhaustion for a prolonged length of time with the flu. Another sign that you may have the flu is that, unlike a common illness, it can seem to come on out of nowhere.

Other symptoms include:

• Dry, chesty cough
• A sore throat
• Difficulty sleeping
• Stomach pain
• Nausea or being sick

At risk groups

Although plenty of rest, water, and pain medication can help to treat your flu, it’s recommended that the public have the flu vaccination. Especially if you have allergies.

People with allergies may have a weakened immune system, making them an at-risk group. Other groups that the vaccination is recommended to include:

• People suffering from chronic illnesses
• Those who are pregnant
• People over the age of 65

Allergies

Unfortunately, the flu vaccination isn’t safe for everyone. As the vaccination is made using egg, this may put people who have an egg allergy at risk of an allergic reaction.

If you have allergies, be sure to talk to your GP before getting the vaccination so that you aren’t at risk. If you haven’t yet been diagnosed with allergies, but want to get the flu vaccination, an allergy test may be a good idea so that you can rule out further illness, especially if you suspect that you have an allergy to vaccination ingredients like eggs.

In the past, individuals with an egg allergy were discouraged from having the flu vaccination, but experts say that might not be the best course of action. If you’re concerned, it’s best to discuss your allergy with your GP. Under the care of a professional, a flu vaccination may still be the right option if the allergy isn’t life-threatening.

To prevent the spread of the flu, you should wash your hands regularly, use tissues when you sneeze or cough, and avoid being around people with flu or cold symptoms.

The winter can be stressful enough without allergies and conditions like asthma or eczema being added to the mix. To protect yourself, we highly recommend allergy tests; this can help to determine whether symptoms are allergens or the flu, as symptoms such as runny noses or itchy eyes are common in both.

If you think that you have allergies, why not test yourself at home? Request a home test kit or contact one of our consultants today to find out more.

Coping with asthma in the winter

3rd October 2018

Coping with asthma in the winter

Some people love winter. Some hate it – and they have good reason to. For some individuals, illnesses can feel even more overwhelming due to the cold weather. Colds, coughs, and chest infections will plague us until spring, but for those who have asthma, these ailments can impact them differently. Breathing problems, tight chests, and even poor emotional health are all side effects of dealing with asthma in the winter.

What causes asthma?

The condition usually starts in childhood; the breathing tubes become inflamed which leads to them becoming temporarily narrow. This can cause several symptoms including:

• Wheezing
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest constriction
• Coughing
• Tiredness

There are many reasons why a person might suffer from the condition, such as:

• Genetics
• If they previously had bronchiolitis
• Exposure to smoke
• Hormonal changes in females

But, more often than not, it’s allergies that cause asthma attacks.

Triggers

One of the biggest triggers is allergens – especially in the winter months. Due to the cold air, we are likely to keep windows closed, which can lead to a build-up of household irritants such as dust. To combat this, keep your home clean and tidy, and try to let the air circulate when possible. It may also be worth investing in anti-allergen bedding.

As the cold air can affect the upper respiratory system, people with asthma are likely to pick up infections easier than others. It makes a common cold or chest infection more difficult to cope with and even affect day to day life, as it can make breathing difficult and leave sufferers feeling exhausted.

Other triggers include:

• Smoke
• Pollution
• Exercise

Aside from keeping your environment as free from allergens as possible, we recommend that you layer up to prevent the cold weather from affecting you too much. It’s also critical that you avoid spending too much time with people who have a common infection, as you are more vulnerable to illness.

Flu

If you have asthma, you may want to consider flu vaccination as the flu can cause the airways to become inflamed, which can trigger an attack. 8 out of 10 people say that the flu made their symptoms worse. Not getting the vaccination may lead to problems such as pneumonia.

It’s critical that you reduce your exposure to cold air, allergens, and the common cold and cough. Primary activities such as keeping you and your body clean, healthy eating, and plenty of sleep will help too. Investing in an inhaler is also essential.

Inhalers

Inhalers help sufferers to manage their asthma and can be prescribed in three types:

• Reliever: to relieve symptoms
• Preventer: to protect the airways so that symptoms aren’t as likely to occur
• Combination: a mix of the two types

Whether you or your child have asthma, stay protected this winter to avoid further health problems. Keep your distance from allergens, and cancel plans with family and friends who have a cough or cold.

If you have asthma but don’t know if you suffer from allergies that might make it worse, request an allergy test from us today so that you don’t have to worry this winter.