Urgent Care Near CommackWhile symptoms may overlap, allergies and common colds have different causes. Due to the overlapping symptoms, many people tend to confuse the two. While most of the time, allergies and the common cold are not severe, they can be annoying and get in the way of your daily activities. Identifying whether you have allergies or the common cold is necessary for determining the best way to start feeling better. East Northport Medical Care is an excellent resource for you if you believe you are struggling with allergies or a common cold. We can help determine what is causing your symptoms and how to treat them best. If you are working to decide whether or not you have allergies or the common cold, we recommend you go to an Urgent Care Near Commack.

Common Cold Causes

The common cold is a viral infection that impacts the upper respiratory tract. Typically, it is very contagious, and you can get it multiple times a year because there are many different types of viruses that cause these colds. The common cold can impact people of all ages, even infants. A common cold is not usually something to be concerned about; however, the symptoms associated can be annoying and distracting. There are remedies to help alleviate some of the common cold symptoms, so it would be beneficial to go to an Urgent Care Near Commack.

Common Cold Symptoms

Some of the most common symptoms of a cold are:
  • Congestion
  • Coughing
  • Low-grade Fever (100.4 to about 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit)
  • Mild Headache
  • Runny/Stuffy Nose
  • Slight Body Aches
  • Sneezing
  • Sore Throat
You may experience one or a combination of these symptoms if you suffer from the common cold. It is vital to keep an eye on the discharge from your nose as it will change colors through time as the virus runs its course. Again, while the symptoms may not be severe, they can cause discomfort that may need to be addressed by a doctor or over-the-counter medication. If you have severe irritation and over-the-counter medication isn’t cutting it, we recommend visiting an Urgent Care Near Commack.

Allergies Causes

When you are experiencing allergy symptoms, this is the body’s reaction to a foreign substance that has entered the body. More specifically, this is the immune system’s response to a foreign object in the body. The body’s immune system is in charge of protecting the body from danger through antibodies. Danger can include foreign substances, viruses, and more. Allergies impact people because the body has created an antibody against a specific allergen. When the particular allergen enters the body, the body’s immune system begins fighting against the allergen, even though the allergen is not harmful. Allergies range in severity depending on the person. Some people have severe allergic reactions that can cause death. However, most people with allergies experience discomfort due to the body fighting the allergen.Below are a few of the most common allergens that can cause a reaction of some sort to occur:
  • Pollen
  • Bee or Wasp Sting
  • Penicillin (Antibiotic)
  • Mold
  • Mites
  • Animal Dander
  • Peanuts
  • Eggs
  • Milk
  • Fish
  • Latex
Everyone is different in terms of what allergens impact them if any at all. Allergies are usually not severe but can be very uncomfortable and may impact your daily life.

Allergies Symptoms

Since everyone’s immune system is so different and can react to other allergens in various ways, there are many symptoms associated with allergies. It is essential to keep track of your allergy symptoms as they will indicate how severe the reaction is. Below are some of the common symptoms associated with allergies:
  • Sneezing
  • Hives
  • Swelling of areas such as the throat, eyes, or face
  • Coughing
  • Itching of the nose and eyes
  • Running nose
These symptoms don’t require you to see a doctor most of the time. However, if your symptoms are constant or become more severe, you must go to Urgent Care Near Commack. A doctor can give you medications or other remedies to help relieve the symptoms or prevent them in the future.

How To Determine The Difference?

As you can see, there are different causes of allergies and the common cold. The common cold is caused by a virus, whereas allergies are the body’s response to foreign substances that are not harmful. They have overlapping symptoms; however, there are specific symptoms that differentiate the two. For example, those suffering from allergies likely have more itching, but those with the common cold may experience a low-grade fever. Additionally, the common cold is highly transmissible. However, allergies cannot be spread to others as no virus is involved. If you are in doubt about what may be causing some uncomfortable symptoms, we recommend you go to Urgent Care near Commack.

Contact Urgent Care Near Commack

East Northport Medical Care would like to help relieve you of those uncomfortable symptoms you may be having. We have the tools and expertise to differentiate between allergies and the common cold. By determining which you are suffering from, we can help you get the best treatment to feel better in no time! Please get in touch with us today to make an appointment to help determine what is making you feel under the weather!