Cold or allergy? Even in winter there is this doubt

Etc. How many times have you felt that strange discomfort in your nose and couldn't wait to get rid of it? Obviously we're talking about sneezing, sometimes a liberating act and other times the result of seasonal ailments. However, with the approach of winter and especially during a year hit by a worldwide epidemic, it is important to be able to understand if it is a cold or an allergy. In fact, allergens and viruses can produce similar symptoms, such as sneezing and nasal congestion that are, unfortunately, also the symptoms of Covid-19. So figuring out if it's a simple cold or an allergy is really important, but how to do it? There are criteria to diversify the two conditions. The times of manifestation and their duration First, let's start by saying that a cold has a viral origin, while an allergy is triggered by exposure to the allergen. The different origin also involves a differentiation in the timing of manifestation: - Colds occur in the winter season and last on average between 5 and 7 days. - Allergy is triggered by contact with the allergen. For example, in the case of allergy to pollens of plants or grasses, symptoms can last up to 2-3 months and occur seasonally in the flowering period (which can be in the spring or autumn months, depending on the type of plant). Allergy to dust mites, on the other hand, can occur at any time of the year. Cold or allergy: how to distinguish the symptoms Cold or allergy symptoms can have small differences. - Viral colds do not involve an itchy nose and red eyes, while those of allergic origin do. - In allergy, nasal congestion is milder and is accompanied by red eyes, dry throat and frequent sneezing. Nasal secretion is minimal, mucus is liquid and transparent. - In the case of a cold, symptoms begin with a slight burning sensation in the nose or throat, followed by nasal obstruction and sneezing. This phase lasts from 2 to 3 days, then the secretory phase begins when mucus becomes thicker and yellow colored and fever and earache can also appear. - The appearance of fever is always associated to cold and not to allergy. What are the recommended treatments and products? Cold or allergy require different treatments. In the first case, nasal washes with saline solutions are used to clean the nose and remove mucus. If necessary, decongestants or anti-inflammatory drugs can be taken. In the case of allergic rhinitis, on the other hand, antihistamines are taken or nasal sprays with a cortisone base are used. - Reactine tablet is indicated in the short-term symptomatic treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis that causes nasal congestion and hypersecretion, nasal and/or ocular itching, sneezing and tearing. - The drug Actifed in tablets is useful in case of colds and acts as a decongestant of the nasal mucosa. Contact us for more information about the products or consult the online catalog to find the one that best suits your needs.