As spring begins, we hope the sniffles and coughs from the winter season will finally end. Much to our surprise then, we experience similar cold symptoms as the environment around us begins to bloom and turn green. If you’ve never experienced allergies before, don’t think you’re off the hook, as adults can develop allergies at any time. Hay fever, otherwise known as allergic rhinitis, is caused by weeds, pollen, and grasses. Some mistake cold symptoms for allergy symptoms, so we broke down the differences so you know when to eat chicken soup and when to take an antihistamine.
Allergy Symptoms
More noticeable signs of allergies are an itchy throat, sneezing, and watery eyes. Symptoms such as coughing and exhaustion can be mistaken for a cold, but these are signs of allergies as well.
Though you can develop allergies at any age, it is most common for people in their twenties or thirties. Researchers are unsure of the reason for adult-onset allergies, besides that it is your bodies reaction to an unknown substance in a new environment.
Moving to a new state is a common event that leads to allergies that you didn’t know you had. Your body is reacting to allergens in the air that you were not around previously.
How to Treat Your Allergies
If your symptoms persist longer than two weeks, it may be time to consider seeing a doctor. An ear, nose, throat specialist can perform an allergy test to diagnose your symptoms. If you are found to have allergies, treatments vary from various medications to allergy shots.
Once you are aware of what is causing your discomfort, be sure to take preventative measures. Find out what treatments are available to you and stay inside during high pollen count days.
If you need to schedule allergy testing, contact our ear, nose, throat specialists at (208) 336-4368 today!