Cold Or Allergy ?

How To Tell The Difference Between A Cold Or Allergy


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 more 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 more 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 main 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 more 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:

Visit an allergy doctor who can help you identify the offending indoor allergens
Maintain low indoor humidity to kill dust mites and mold
Vacuum using a HEPA filtered vacuum and run a HEPA air purifier to remove airborne allergens
Encase mattress, pillows, and bedding in allergen-barrier encasings to protect from dust mite allergies
Dust and clean frequently

To treat and prevent winter colds:

Wash your hands frequently and disinfect surfaces
Get plenty of exercise and rest
Eat nutritiously, with lots of fruits and vegetables
Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and excess stress
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 best way to treat allergy symptoms is to remove the offending allergens from the environment.

For More on Allergy head to The Gluten Free Bakehouse.net

Allergy Relief

Allergy Relief





More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergic diseases. A recent nationwide survey found that more than half (54.6 percent) of all U.S citizens test positive to one or more allergens; among specific allergens, dust mite, rye, ragweed, and food allergy like gluten intolerance and wheat allergy.

Approximately 25 percent of the population.

This article will provide tips for  natural allergy relief. Whether you suffer from a food allergy or some other allergy natural allergy remedies are a good option The information covered below will address a few different methods of allergy relief and natural allergy relief. For a list of of allergy symptoms The Gluten Free Bakehouse Knowledge Base has some great information on different food allergy and skin allergy symptoms.

Firstly A Few Questions

1.Why do we develop allergies?


2.What causes allergies?


3.Allergy symptoms


3.Tips to obtain allergy relief


4.Herbs, vitamins & supplements



Most individuals with allergies are not sensitive to just one substance but a host of them.

There is an endless list of allergy causing substances present in our food, drinks, the air,

and the clothes we wear to name a few examples that can trigger an allergic reaction.



Why do we develop allergies?



The exact cause of allergic reactions is still under debate.  Heredity seems to play an

important role according to some researchers and being exposed to allergens at certain times

when the body's defenses are low or weak, such as after a viral infection or during pregnancy,

also may contribute to the development of allergies. Allergies are the immune system's

exaggerated response to a foreign substance. Exposure to what is normally a harmless substance,

such as pollen, causes the immune system to react as if the substance is harmful. Substances

that cause allergies are called allergens.



What causes allergies?



Allergies may be caused by any of the following. NOTE: this is just a partial list; there are

countless substances that may cause an allergic reaction. The only way for someone to know

whether they're allergic to a particular substance is to get tested by an allergist.




1.Mold


2.Animal Dander


3.Latex


4.Certain Foods (EX: Nuts)


5.Insect Venom


6.Medications (EX:Penicillin)


7.Pollen 8.Dust Mites



What are allergy symptoms?



Allergy symptoms can be categorized as mild, moderate or severe (anaphylactic). Mild reactions include local symptoms (affecting a specific area of the body) such as a rash or hives; itchy,watery eyes; and nasal congestion. Mild reactions do not spread to other parts of the body. Moderate reactions include symptoms that spread to other parts of the body. Symptoms may include itchiness that spreads or difficulty breathing.



A severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis, is a life-threatening emergency in which the body's response to the allergen is sudden and affects the whole body (systemic). Anaphylaxis may begin with severe itching of the eyes or face and within minutes progresses to more serious symptoms including swelling, which could result in difficulty swallowing and breathing; abdominal pain; cramps; vomiting; diarrhea; hives; and angioedema (hives in the throat). Mental confusion or dizziness also may be symptoms, since anaphylaxis causes a quick drop in blood pressure.



Tips to obtain allergy relief



Dust often to control mites - By dusting surfaces and washing bedding often, you can control the amount of dust mites in your home.




Vacuum often - Although cleaning can sometimes trigger allergic reactions, with dust in the air, vacuuming once or twice a week will reduce the surface dust mites. Wear a mask when doing housework and consider leaving for a few hours after you clean to avoid allergens in the air. You can also make sure your vacuum has an air filter to capture dust.



Reduce pet dander - If you have allergies, you should avoid pets with feathers or fur like birds, dogs and cats. Animal saliva and dead skin, or pet dander, can cause allergic reactions.



Avoid pollen - Keep windows and doors closed. Use an allergy air purifier To really clean up that air and help with asthma and general hey fever type complaints


Avoid mold - Mold spores grow in moist areas. If you reduce the moisture in the bathroom and kitchen, you will reduce the mold. Clean moldy surfaces. Dehumidifiers will also help reduce mold.



Herbs, Vitamins & Supplements

Herbs, vitamins and other supplements can help by boosting the immune system and/or provide allergy relief. Herbs that may help by boosting the immune system


1. Echinacea


2. Garlic



Vitamins that may help by boosting the immune system

1.Vitamin A

2.Vitamin C -Very effective at fighting allergies. It is a powerful antioxidant. It promotes immune functions and is natural anti-histamine.

3 Vitamin E - It fights allergies. It is a potent intercellular anti-oxidant.

4.Green tea - Contains EGCG, a potent antioxidant more powerful than vitamin C & E

Other supplements (1) Bioflavonoids such as Quercetin work well with Vitamin C as an anti-histamine to tackle allergens.



Obtaining allergy relief involves a 2 pronged attack.



1. Avoid allergy triggers such as the one's mentioned above


2. Boost the immune system by using herbs, vitamins and supplements




If the above don't work than medications such as antihistamines, decongestants or a combination of both are available over-the-counter or by prescription to treat allergy symptoms. Nasal sprays such as topical nasal steroids and cromolyn sodium also can be used to treat allergy symptoms. Immunotherapy and allergy shots are recommended for relief needed over a long period of time.



Obtaining allergy relief through natural means such as taking the herbs and vitamin srecommended above is the best route to take without incurring side effects, however, if the allergy is severe and debilitating than prescription or over the counter medications may be needed. PREVENTION IS THE BEST MEDICINE., Keep your immune system healthy so chances of developing disease are reduced.

For More Information On Allergy and skin conditions caused by a food allergy visit
The Alternative Bite.com