Struggling to shift a pesky chilly once more? Questioning why your eyes are additionally feeling irritated, together with countless sniffles?
If this sounds acquainted, it could be that you just don’t even have a chilly in any respect, however hay fever is inflicting your signs – particularly now we’re effectively into spring.
Signs can overlap however it’s useful to know which one you’ve obtained, so you’ll be able to handle it appropriately. So, how are you going to inform whether or not you’ve obtained a chilly or hay fever?
What’s the distinction between a chilly and hay fever?
They’re brought on by various things, firstly. Colds are brought on by a virus that’s unfold from one contaminated individual to a different. Hay fever, in the meantime, shouldn’t be contagious, because it’s an allergic response some individuals must pollen.
“Pollen is a high-quality mud that disperses within the wind to succeed in different crops for pollination and begin new crops,” explains Claire Nevinson, Boots superintendent pharmacist.
“Tree pollen counts are highest between late March and mid-Might, whereas grass and weed pollen counts are highest between mid-Might and September. In case you have hay fever, you’re probably to expertise signs when the pollen rely is excessive.”
When are your signs taking place?
Noticing patterns with the timing of your signs may also assist point out whether or not it’s hay fever. Do signs often seem throughout pollen season, and worsen you go outdoors? Nonetheless, viruses are nonetheless round throughout spring and summer time, so the time of 12 months doesn’t rule out a chilly solely.
“Colds can nonetheless happen throughout hotter months, and often contain sneezing and coughing, together with a sore throat, headache and typically a lack of style and odor,” says Nevinson.
Are there variations in signs?
Lots of the signs will be comparable, however there are additionally tell-tale variations between a chilly and hay fever. “Hay fever doesn’t trigger a excessive temperature,” says Nevinson, “and most of the people don’t really feel unwell.”
Some individuals’s hay fever will be fairly extreme although, so how badly affected you might be can differ.
One other key indicator is period of signs. “A chilly often lasts one to 2 weeks, whereas hay fever can final for weeks and even months, relying on the pollen rely,” notes Nevinson. “The upper the pollen rely, the more severe the signs are prone to be.”
The important thing signs of hay fever, Nevinson provides, embrace: “Sneezing, a runny or blocked nostril, itchy crimson watery eyes or an itchy throat.”
Coughs are usually extra related to colds than hay fever, in addition to normal aches and ache, presumably a fever and a sore throat.
Each colds and hay fever trigger runny nostril and sneezing. Each may also trigger individuals to really feel extra drained and fatigued than ordinary.
However with a hay fever, you might be additionally prone to expertise itchy, crimson and watery eyes, Nevinson factors out. In some instances, hay fever might also be related to feeling breathless, particularly when you even have bronchial asthma.
Do you’ll want to deal with them in another way?
Sure. There’s no remedy for the widespread chilly, so right here it’s about symptom administration, relying on how unwell you’re feeling.
“For a chilly, you must relaxation and drink loads of fluids,” says Nevinson. “You might additionally contemplate taking a chilly symptom reduction product – these usually embrace drugs for ache reduction to assist with aches, alongside a decongestant to assist ease a blocked nostril. If the product comprises paracetamol, be sure to don’t take every other paracetamol-containing merchandise on the similar time.”
With hay fever, taking steps to assist preserve pollen at bay can be key.
“Contemplate placing a barrier balm, similar to petroleum jelly, across the nostrils to lure pollen, and put on wraparound sun shades to assist preserve pollen out of your eyes,” suggests Nevinson.
“There are a selection of hay fever reduction merchandise out there – from tablets to nasal sprays – and you’ll be able to at all times communicate to your pharmacist to search out which merchandise are appropriate for you.”
If over-the-counter treatments are usually not serving to, examine in together with your GP, as some individuals may have extra help with managing allergic reactions. Boots additionally presents an On-line Physician Hayfever Remedy service, Nevinson provides. Your native pharmacists may also recommendation on remedies if you’re not sure.
