Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Cold symptoms might instead be allergies
Ever since the kids went back to school their noses have been runny and the coughs have been persistent.
Sounds like the common cold, right?
Maybe not. It could very well be allergies.
While many people think of spring as the time for allergies, fall can be just as bad, depending on what you are allergic to.
While sometimes it is hard to tell whether it is a cold or allergies, the distinction is important.
Parents need to know which malady their children suffer from, because they are treated differently.
There are some ways to tell the difference between colds and allergies. They include:
• Colds usually get better in two weeks or less, while allergies can last much longer.
• If you notice your child has symptoms until the weather gets cold, that is a sign of allergies.
• Runny noses from colds often turn yellow or green after a few days, while allergy mucus usually stays clear.
• If no one else in the household gets sick, that is a sign of allergies.
The good news is it often possible to identify the triggers that cause allergies by recalling the factors that precede symptoms; noting the time at which symptoms begin; and examining a person's home, work, and school environments. Skin tests may be useful for people whose symptoms are not well controlled with medications and in whom the offending allergen is not obvious.
Treatment includes reducing a person's exposure to known allergens or other triggers.
Several different classes of drugs are available to control symptoms of allergies. The severity of symptoms and personal preferences usually guide the selection of specific drugs. Consult with your doctor about these options.
Immunotherapy (desensitization therapy) refers to injections that are given to desensitize a person to known allergens (also known as allergy shots). This therapy is effective for only certain types of allergens, and is both expensive and time-consuming.
Use of nasal steroids ahead of season changes can also be an effective treatment.
I cannot count how many times I have heard “I have had a cold for a month.” This is usually not the case — it is more likely allergies. But anytime you children have persistent symptoms they should see a doctor.
Ravi Prakash, MD, is a pediatrician on the Backus Medical Staff with a private pediatric office in Norwich. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. If you want to comment on this column or others, visit the Healthy Living blog at www.backushospital.org/backus-blogs or e-mail Dr. Prakash or any of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org
Sounds like the common cold, right?
Maybe not. It could very well be allergies.
While many people think of spring as the time for allergies, fall can be just as bad, depending on what you are allergic to.
While sometimes it is hard to tell whether it is a cold or allergies, the distinction is important.
Parents need to know which malady their children suffer from, because they are treated differently.
There are some ways to tell the difference between colds and allergies. They include:
• Colds usually get better in two weeks or less, while allergies can last much longer.
• If you notice your child has symptoms until the weather gets cold, that is a sign of allergies.
• Runny noses from colds often turn yellow or green after a few days, while allergy mucus usually stays clear.
• If no one else in the household gets sick, that is a sign of allergies.
The good news is it often possible to identify the triggers that cause allergies by recalling the factors that precede symptoms; noting the time at which symptoms begin; and examining a person's home, work, and school environments. Skin tests may be useful for people whose symptoms are not well controlled with medications and in whom the offending allergen is not obvious.
Treatment includes reducing a person's exposure to known allergens or other triggers.
Several different classes of drugs are available to control symptoms of allergies. The severity of symptoms and personal preferences usually guide the selection of specific drugs. Consult with your doctor about these options.
Immunotherapy (desensitization therapy) refers to injections that are given to desensitize a person to known allergens (also known as allergy shots). This therapy is effective for only certain types of allergens, and is both expensive and time-consuming.
Use of nasal steroids ahead of season changes can also be an effective treatment.
I cannot count how many times I have heard “I have had a cold for a month.” This is usually not the case — it is more likely allergies. But anytime you children have persistent symptoms they should see a doctor.
Ravi Prakash, MD, is a pediatrician on the Backus Medical Staff with a private pediatric office in Norwich. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. If you want to comment on this column or others, visit the Healthy Living blog at www.backushospital.org/backus-blogs or e-mail Dr. Prakash or any of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org
# posted by ----------------- @ 7:36 AM 
