Allergy season is here! Is it allergies, a cold, or COVID-19? There is a lot of confusion with the symptoms you may be experiencing. I created a chart to help you navigate what you might have. With COVID-19 pandemic news in your face daily the last few weeks, it’s easy for anyone who sneezes or coughs to jump to the conclusion that “I have COVID-19” when it isn’t the case. Above is a chart that helps you compare symptoms of allergies, a cold, or COVID-19. For more information, visit www.cdc.gov.

Allergy Symptoms

Common

• Itchy eyes & nose
• Stuffy & runny nose
  
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Sneezing
• Thin, watery, and clear mucous
  

Sometimes

• Coughing
  
• Sore throat
  
• Shortness of breath
  
• Symptoms can worsen seasonally or with exposure

Allergy symptoms worsen due to seasons and exposure. Allergy symptoms can continue as long as you are exposed to the allergen.

Cold Symptoms

Common

• Itchy eyes & nose
• Stuffy & runny nose
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Aches & pains
  
• Sneezing
• Coughing
  
• Sore throat
  
• Thick, yellow, or green mucous

Sometimes

• Pink eye
  

Rare

• Fever
  
• Shortness of breath

Cold symptoms can often worsen after a few days and usually last between 3 and 14 days.

COVID-19

Common

• Fever
• Shortness of breath
• Dry cough
  
• Fatigue
• Aches & pains
  

Sometimes

• Stuffy & runny nose
• Headache
• Pink eye
  
• Sore throat
  

Rare

• Mucous
  
• Sneezing
  
• Itchy eyes & nose

With allergies, most of your symptoms will go away when you take allergy medication. However, if you have a cold and take allergy medication, most of your symptoms will remain. Consult with a medical professional if you are feeling ill as this is only a brief guideline of common symptoms.

For eye allergies: Try using artificial tears 4x/day or more to rinse out the irritants. Over-the-counter (OTC) allergy eye drops may help too. If you are still having problems, contact an eye doctor for further treatment.

Improving your immune system by eating healthy, getting good sleep, exercising (20 min. daily), taking multi-vitamins, and hydrating the body with water are all healthy tips to take and maintain.

We hope to re-open in the first week of May. We will continue to keep you informed. Until then, stay healthy, and wash your hands!

Please contact us with any additional questions.