Allergy or Cold

You likely have seasonal allergies if you frequently experience unexpected "colds" that occur around the same time every year. Although allergies and colds share similar symptoms, they are different diseases.

Allergies are immune system responses to an allergen, such as pollen, dust, and/or pet dander, whereas colds are caused by viral infections in your upper respiratory tract.

Allergies vs. Colds symptoms

The symptoms of the common cold and allergies are very similar, which can make it difficult to tell the difference between the two.

Allergy	Cold
Sneezing	Sneezing
Runny nose	Runny nose
Wheezing	Sore throat
Thin, clear mucus	Thick, dark mucus
Red, watery eyes	Body aches
Your symptoms may last for days or months after contact with allergens	Your symptoms may take about 3 days to appear and usually last for about 1 week

Colds

Sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose, and an itchy, sore throat are the typical early symptoms of the common cold.

More than 200 viruses have been found to cause common colds, however, rhinoviruses are the most widespread. Viruses are easily transmitted from one person to another, or from surface to surface. Many of these viruses can survive for hours or even days on surfaces.

Rest, painkillers and cold medicines like decongestants can be used to treat a common cold. In adults, a cold typically lasts 5-7 days, though some can last up to 2 or 3 weeks.

Allergies

“Allergies,” also referred to as allergic rhinitis, or “hay fever,” causes cold-like symptoms, such as runny nose, sneezing, sinus pressure, and itchy eyes.

Symptoms of allergies can be either intermittent (I.e. exposure to animal dander when visiting someone’s home) or chronic (I.e. symptoms that last for months whenever the pollen count is elevated).

Common allergens

• Animal dander animals with fur, such as dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, etc
• Dust mites that live in your bed, carpet, and/or other items that may hold moisture
• Molds indoor or outdoor
• Pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds

How can I reduce my allergy symptoms?

Avoiding exposure to known or suspected allergens may reduce your symptoms.

Ventilation systems with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters reduce some allergens, such as pollen and/or mold. However, these types of systems tend to be expensive and are not always effective for everyone.

Vacuuming your carpets, drapes, and upholstery with a HEPA vacuum cleaner at least once a week may reduce your allergens.

You can decrease dust mites by removing your carpets and upholstered furniture, encasing pillows, mattresses, and box springs in allergen-impermeable covers, and washing bedding and soft toys in hot water at least once a week.

Treatment options for my allergies

Selecting the appropriate medication treatment depends on the severity of your condition and symptoms.

Intranasal steroids

• First-line medication options for chronic (long-term) moderate-to-severe stuffy nose (otherwise known as rhinitis).
• Work by decreasing inflammation. They are very effective at improving symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and congestion.
• It can take up to 1 week to get full relief.
• It’s recommended to shake the medication bottle well before each use. Discard the device after the total number of estimated doses, even if the bottle does not feel empty.

Intranasal steroids medications

• Budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy OTC): 1 spray per nostril daily
  —Children 6 years or older: 1 spray per nostril daily
  —Budesonide is the preferred nasal steroid in pregnant women
• Fluticasone (Flonase Allergy Relief, Flonase Sensimist, Children’s Flonase)
  —Flonase Allergy Relief and Flonase Sensimist: 1–2 sprays per nostril daily
  —Flonase Allergy Relief for ages 4-11 years old: 1 spray per nostril daily
  —Flonase Sensimist for 2 years and older: 1–2 sprays per nostril daily
• Triamcinolone (Nasacort Allergy 24HR OTC, Nasal allergy 24HR OTC): 1-2 sprays per nostril daily (for adults and children 6 years and older)
  —For ages 2-5 years old: 1 spray per nostril daily
• Beclomethasone (Beconase AQ, Qnasl, Qnasl Childrens)
  —Beconase AQ: 1-2 sprays per nostril twice a day (for adults)
  —Qnasl: 2 sprays per nostril daily
• Ciclesonide (Omnaris, Zetonna)
  —Omnaris: 2 sprays per nostril daily (adults)
  —Zetonna: 1 spray per nostril daily (adults)
• Flunisolide: 2 sprays per nostril twice a day or three times a day
• Mometasone (Nasonex, Sinuva): 2 sprays per nostril daily

Side effects

• Headache
• Dry nose
• Nose bleeds
• Unpleasant taste
• Localized infection

Oral antihistamines

Used to treat mild to moderate, intermittent allergy symptoms.

Effective in reducing symptoms of itching, sneezing, runny nose, and other types of immediate hypersensitivity reactions, but have little effect on nasal congestion.

Effective for allergic conjunctivitis, such as itchy, red eyes.

There are 2 types of categories of oral antihistamines: first generation and second generation. Second-generation oral antihistamines are preferred since they cause less sedation and cognitive impairment. First-generation antihistamines should not be taken by lactating women.

First-generation oral antihistamines

• Diphenhydramine HCL (Benadryl): 25–50 mg taken by mouth every 4 to 6 hours
  —For children between the ages of 6–11 years old: 12.5–25 mg taken by moath every 4 to 6 hours
  —Diphenhydramine is used for acute allergic reactions, preventing allergic reactions, stuffy nose caused by allergies, cough, sleep, and motion sickness.
• Clementine (Dayhist Allergy 12 HR Relief) 1.34-2.68 mg every 8 to 12 hours
  —Flonase Allergy Relief and Flonase Sensimist: 1–2 sprays per nostril daily
  —Flonase Allergy Relief for ages 4–11 years old: 1 spray per nostril daily
  —Flonase Sensimist for 2 years and older: 1–2 sprays per nostril daily
• Carbinoxamine (Karbinal ER, RyVent)
  —IR (immediate-release formulation): 4&ndah;8 mg every 6 to 12 hours (in adults)
  —ER (extended-release formulation): 6&ndahs;16 mg every 12 hours (in adults)
• Chlorpheniramine (Aller-Chlor, Chlor-Trimeton)
  —IR (immediate-release formulation): 4 mg every 4 to 6 hours
  —ER (extended-release formulation): 12 mg every 12 hours

Side effects

• Sleepiness
• Cognitive impairment
• Dry mouth
• Blurred vision
• Urinary retention
• Constipation
• Seizures (may occur in higher doses)
• Increased heart rate (may occur in higher doses)

Second-generation oral antihistamines

• Cetirizine (Zyrtec, All Day Allergy): 5-10 mg taken by mouth daily
  —Children between the ages of 2–5 years old: 2.5–5 mg taken by mouth daily
• Levocetirizine (Xyzal Allergy 24HR OTC) 5 mg taken by mouth every night before bed
  —Children between the ages of 6–11 years old: 2.5 mg taken by mouth every night before bed
  —Children between the ages of 6 months–5 years old: 1.25 mg taken by mouth every night before bed
• Fexofenadine (Allegra 24HR, Allegra Allergy, Allegra Allergy Children's, Mucinex Allergy) 60 mg taken by mouth twice a day or 180 mg daily
  —Children between the ages of 2-11 years old: 30 mg taken by mouth twice a day
  —Fexofenadine must be taken with water, not juice because it may decrease the absorption of this medication
• Loratadine (Claritin OTC, Alavert OTC, Claritin RediTabs OTC): 10 mg daily or 5 mg twice a day
  —Children between the ages of 2-5 years old: 5 mg daily

Side effects

• Sleepiness (most common with cetirizine and levocetirizine)
• Headache

Intranasal antihistamines

Intranasal antihistamines help with nasal congestion and can be combined with intranasal steroids.

• Azelastine (Astelin, Astepro) + Fluticasone (Dymista, Ticalast): : 1–2 sprays per nostril twice a day
• Olopatadine (Patanase) 2 sprays per nostril twice a day

Side effects

• Bitter taste
• Headache
• Sleepiness
• Nasal irritation
• Nose bleeds
• Sinus pain

Decongestants

Effective in decreasing sinus and nasal congestion.

Oral decongestants

• Phenylephrine HCL (Sudafed PE): : 110 mg taken by mouth every 4 hours as needed
  –Children between the ages of 6–11 years old: 5 mg every 4 hours as needed
  –Children between the ages of 4–5 years old: 2.5 mg every 4 hours as needed
• Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Nexafed, Zephrex-D): 60 mg taken by mouth every 4–6 hours as needed, or 120 mg every 12 hours, or 240 mg daily
  –Children between the ages of 6–11 years old: 30 mg every 4–6 hours as needed
  –Children between the ages of 4–5 years old: 15 mg every 4–6 hours as needed
  –Because pseudoephedrine is a methamphetamine precursor, it has restricted distribution and is only available behind the counter.

Side effects

• Tachycardia/increased heart rate
• Palpitations
• Increased blood pressure
• Anxiety
• Tremors
• Insomnia
• Nervousness
• Restlessness
• Fear
• Hallucinations
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Anorexia

Topical (intranasal) decongestants

• Oxymetazoline 0.05% (Afrin, Neo-Synephrine 12-hour, Vicks Sinex, Zicam Extreme Congestion Relief): : 2–3 sprays per nostril every 12 hours as needed
• Phenylephrine 0.125%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 1% (Little noses decongestion drops): 2–3 sprays of 0.25% to 1% per nostril every 4 hours as needed
• Tetrahydrozoline 0.05%, 0.1%: 3-4 sprays of 0.1% per nostril every 3 to 4 hours as needed or 2–4 drops per nostril every 3 to 4 hours as needed

Side effects

• Nasal stinging, burning, and/or dryness
• Sneezing
• Rhinitis medicamentosa (inflammation of the nasal mucosa caused by rebound congestion (overuse) if used longer than 3 days)

Speak With Your Doctor

Allergic rhinitis can be miserable, resulting in missed days at work and school, and reduced productivity. Chronic sinusitis can develop from untreated symptoms, as well as an ear infection in children, and asthma exacerbations.

Talk to your healthcare provider today and send your prescription to Marley Drug. Save up to 95% compared to your local pharmacy by using Marley Drug.