The weather may be sunny at the moment, and we may still be in the “severe” drought level here in Raleigh, but colder weather is just around the corner. And when cold weather arrives, we know full well that the cold virus will follow. And don’t discount the lingering influence of allergies, either. Basically, our beloved city still has some tricks up its sleeve in terms of sinus health. Here’s how to tell what’s making you sniffle.
Fall Allergies
The end of summer doesn’t always mean the end of allergy season, unfortunately. For one thing, indoor allergens, such as mold, pet dander and dust, become more prominent in the colder months as people spend more time indoors. For another, the weather has been staying warmer for longer in recent years due to climate change, therefore extending the growing season and keeping the pollen in the air later into the year.
Allergy symptoms you may experience in the fall include:
- Itchy nose
- Sneezing
- Runny nose with clear, watery mucus
- Congestion
- Itchy throat
- Hives or skin rash
The Common Cold
The virus that typically causes the common cold is rhinovirus, which primarily targets and infects the respiratory (breathing) system. It’s highly contagious, which is why we often speak of “cold season,” because it seems as though everyone in town comes down with it.
Cold symptoms include:
- Coughing
- Sore throat
- Congestion
- Runny nose with thick mucus
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
Sinus Infection
A sinus infection, or sinusitis, develops when bacteria fester in mucus trapped in the paranasal sinuses. This can happen any time the nasal passages become inflamed, as that inflammation is what traps the mucus. Incidentally, both allergies and the common cold can cause nasal inflammation, meaning that both the conditions we’ve already discussed could lead to sinusitis.
Symptoms of sinusitis are:
- Sinus pressure
- Sinus headaches
- Congestion
- Runny nose with thick, cloudy mucus that is yellow or green in color
- Loss of smell
- Fever
How to Tell the Difference
If you’ve been feeling sinus symptoms, it could be one of the three above culprits, but there’s a lot of overlap between them. For example, you may have noticed that they all feature a runny nose. Here are some of the most obvious differences:
- Mucus. As mentioned, all three conditions can cause a runny nose, but the appearance of the mucus differs. With allergies, it should be clear and watery; with a cold, it should be thick and perhaps cloudy but colorless; with a sinus infection, it will be yellow or green.
- Where you feel symptoms. Allergies tend to be all in your nose or on your skin (hives); the common cold is usually felt mostly in the throat, and sinusitis will be felt behind your face, specifically behind the nose and eyebrows.
- Timing. Allergies will hit you all at once, upon contact with the offending allergen. A cold will develop over the course of a day or two, and sinusitis may take even longer.
- Itchiness. Itchy nose, eyes and skin are hallmarks of allergies, but not of a cold or sinusitis.
Even with all this in mind, it can still be difficult to tell the difference between these three conditions. If you want an expert’s opinion, you can call your doctor or visit an ENT. At Raleigh Capitol Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy, we can help you treat and alleviate symptoms of all three conditions, especially sinusitis. Call us today to schedule an appointment.