With the arrival of spring and the changeable weather, more and more citizens come to the doctor for symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose and cough. However, as the Emergency Service warns, many do not know how to distinguish seasonal allergies from a cold, which often leads to incorrect treatment.
Doctors also advise not to take medicines on your own, because cold and allergy therapy is not the same. While colds are treated symptomatically with rest and fluid intake, allergies often require antihistamines and other specific therapies.
– Recently, we have an increased number of patients complaining of respiratory problems, but in many cases it is not a cold, but allergic reactions – says Dr. Zlatka Pintol from Sarajevo Emergency Service.
Differences between a cold and an allergy
Although the symptoms may seem similar at first glance, the differences are significant.
A cold is a viral infection that most often occurs with fatigue, sore throat, fever and general weakness. Symptoms develop gradually and usually last a few days to a week.
On the other hand, allergies arise as an organism’s reaction to pollen, dust or other allergens. They are characterized by intense sneezing, itching of the eyes and nose, watery eyes, but no fever. Symptoms can last for weeks or even months as long as the person is exposed to the allergen.
Doctors especially emphasize that it is important to pay attention to the duration and accompanying symptoms.
– If there is no temperature, but itching and prolonged sneezing are present, it is an allergy. In this case, it is recommended to avoid allergens and consult a doctor. So the activation of the allergy must be after contact with the allergen, what the person is allergic to. Most often, it is an allergy to pollen, ragweed, birch, some kind of food, most often nuts – adds Dr. Pintol.
When to report it to the doctor
Doctors advise that people who have pronounced symptoms for the first time come to the examination, in order to determine the cause and prescribe the appropriate therapy. It is known that at some point in your life you can become allergic to something you have never been to. Also, people with a diagnosed allergy should contact a doctor in case of worsening symptoms.
– Any sudden suffocation is a sign of alarm and a reason to call the emergency room immediately. The consequences can be disastrous. Also, in cases where difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest or an extremely strong cough occur – says dr. for Faktor. Zlatka Pintol from the Institute for Emergency Medical Assistance of Sarajevo Canton.
In the flowering season, when the concentration of pollen in the air is high, the number of allergic reactions increases further, which is why doctors appeal to citizens to monitor their symptoms and seek professional help.
Timely reaction can prevent complications and significantly relieve symptoms, he writes Factor.
