Summer Allergies

Do I Have a Cold or Do I have Allergies?


Is it a Summer Cold or Seasonal Allergies? 2020

According to ENT specialists, when you come across anything that you are allergic to such as pollen, dust mites, animal dander, foods, or drugs, your body considers the allergen as an “invader” and reacts by releasing chemicals, like histamines, to fight the foreign substance. Histamines are what cause your sinus, nose, mucus membranes to swell leading to the common symptoms of allergies such as with sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes.

Allergies are considered a major cause of illness in the United States with as many as 50 million people suffering from allergies. Allergy season tends to hit it’s summit in April and wind down into May, although it may last much longer. Since cool weather may last into those months, pollination will happen later and drag the allergy season into the summer months or longer.

Contrary to popular belief, seasonal allergies do not just strike in the spring and fall months. Allergies are also common in the summer and can even last year-round for some sufferers. The most common allergy triggers during the summer months are grass pollen and mold spores. Adults that have never had allergies before can fall victim this summer. The sudden adult onset allergies can be easily mistaken for a cold. Cold and allergy symptoms can often mirror one another but you can help rule out having a cold or allergies by asking yourself the following questions:

  • Have your symptoms lasted for two weeks? If the answer is yes then you likely have allergies because colds are not as persistent as allergies.
  • Have your symptoms escalated? If your symptoms have evolved then you might have a cold because colds usually start with a stuffy nose, throat irritation, and a low grade fever before evolving into sneezing, a runny nose, and thickening mucus.
  • Do you have an itch or wheezing? Itchy eyes, throat, and nose along with sneezing usually means that you have allergies.
  • If you also have asthma then you might be more likely to have an allergy as an estimated 75 to 80 percent of individuals with asthma also have an allergy.
  • What is the color of your mucus? While an increase in the production of mucus can be a sign of either allergies or cold, a change from clear or colorless to cloudy or discolored mucus is more likely indicative of a cold.

Call (800) 956-2663 to schedule an appointment at any of our clinics today, such as Healthpointe Colton near Rialto, Bloomington, San Bernardino, Loma Linda, Highgrove, and Grand Terrace. Come in to see one of our doctors for proper testing, diagnosis, and treatment!

About Healthpointe:

Healthpointe is a leading multidisciplinary healthcare organization offering a full range of medical services in practice locations throughout Southern California (Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, and Riverside County).

Healthpointe has locations situated in over 10 cities in Southern California including Anaheim near the cities of Whittier, La Habra, Norwalk, La Mirada, Cerritos, Buena Park and Santa Fe Springs.

As a highly regarded musculoskeletal group, we have a personal investment in the highest level of service, and we are proud of our record of excellence over the last four decades with private patients, injured workers, urgent care, personal injuries, and professional and non-professional athletes. Leading our organization is a dynamic team of healthcare professionals who continually strive to be at the forefront of medical innovation and healthcare service delivery. For more information, a complete list of services, and Healthpointe locations, click here.