Sangkusing

        I don’t remember having allergies in my younger years. But as I get old, I seem to be starting to have an endless cold. Or I may be developing allergies of some kind or even asthma.

        I'm wondering if these "colds" are really dust allergies or some other allergies. How can I tell?

        

James M. Steckelberg, M.D. of Mayo Clinic comments.

        If you tend to get "colds" that develop suddenly and occur at the same time when the rains come, it's possible that you actually have seasonal allergies. Although colds and seasonal allergies may share some of the same symptoms, they are very different diseases and we need to respond in different ways.

        Common colds are caused by viruses, while allergies are immune system responses triggered by exposure to an allergen. Treatment of a common cold may include rest, pain relievers and over-the-counter cold remedies, such as decongestants. 

        Treatment of allergies however is a bit more complicated and may include over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays and decongestants, and avoidance of exposure to the particular allergen, if you already know.

Symptom check: Is it a cold or allergy?

Adapted from National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 2008