Are Your Nasal Symptoms a Winter Cold, or Possibly Allergies?

Someone forward you this email? No sweat! Sign up here to get your own If you're having trouble viewing this email, click here. Follow Us     Are Your Nasal Symptoms a Winter Cold, or Possibly Allergies? Sniffling and sneezing in February isn't always a mid-winter cold. These symptoms could also represent allergies. In many parts of the country, certain airborne pollens are present during the winter months. Even if winter pollen isn't the cause, pet dander, mold spores and dust mites are common causes of year-round allergies. Read about some clues that can help determine the difference between a common cold and nasal allergies. Daniel More, MD Allergies Expert How to Tell The Difference Between a Cold and Nasal Allergy Symptoms The symptoms of the common cold and nasal allergies are often very similar, so it can be difficult to tell the two apart, even for a physician. Nasal congestion, runny nose, post nasal drip and sneezing can all be symptoms of nasal allergies or of the common cold. Other symptoms, as well as the timing or pattern of symptoms, and the response to various medicines are all a clue to determining whether symptoms are due to allergies or the common cold. READ NOW » Share   How to Pick an Over the Counter Cold, Flu or Allergy Medication Regardless of whether your symptoms are a cold or allergies, an appropriate over-the-counter (OTC) medication can be chosen based on your symptoms. A free medical app is available for iPhone/iPad users, called MeditRight, to assist in choosing the best OTC cold or allergy medicine. READ NOW » Share   Winter Allergies Think that allergies aren't a problem during the winter? Think again. Some areas of the country experience their worst allergy season during the wintertime, when mountain cedar pollinates. And even when the plants outside aren't pollinating, other triggers still exist to make your nose congested and runny. From indoor Christmas trees to outdoor mold and irritants such as cold and windy weather, there are a number of non-pollen sources of wintertime nasal symptoms. In addition, cold temperatures can lead to hives, which is called cold urticaria. READ NOW » Share   MORE FROM ABOUT.COM • Anaphylaxis • Allergy Shots and Drops (Immunotherapy) • Alternative Therapies in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergies • Glossary of Terms • Information on the Most Common Allergy Medications • Blog Advertisement About Health | Follow Us:     You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Allergies newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. If you would like to unsubscribe from all newsletters sent from About.com, please send an email to optout@about.com with "Unsubscribe" as the subject line. 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY, 10036 © 2014 About.com - All rights reserved - Privacy Policy