Cold, Allergy or Sinus Infection? How to Tell the Difference When Symptoms Overlap
Can Nasal Spray Be Addictive?
A condition called "nose drop addiction" or "rebound congestion" may result from frequent and chronic use of common over-the-counter decongestant drops and sprays.
Be careful, as this is a vicious cycle. Using these medications for more than 3-5 days may require even more frequent use to keep nasal passages clear. Over time, prolonged use of nasal sprays and drops can irritate your mucous membranes and cause chronic inflammation, stinging or burning in your nose.
The only way to treat this problem is to stop using these over-the-counter nose drops or sprays. Consult your physician for assistance.
February 2004 — Your head is aching. Your nose is runny. You can't resist the urge to cough. All you need to do is figure out the cause of all your discomfort, then you can choose the best way to treat it.
"Proper treatment begins with proper diagnosis," says Craig Shapiro, DO, Chief of ENT/Head & Neck Surgery at Memorial Regional Hospital and physician on the medical staff at Memorial Hospital West, Memorial Hospital Pembroke and Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital. "Symptoms may overlap; however, there are definite differences between the conditions."
Start at the Beginning
A visit to the physician begins with a physical examination and review of the patient's medical background, including family history. The experience of other family members may also offer some insight, as allergies often run in families, and colds may be passed between family members.
By determining when the symptoms began, how long they have lasted and what particular physical conditions exist, a more accurate diagnosis is possible.
Understanding the Differences
Generally, the symptoms of colds, allergies and sinus infections include:
Colds
- Stuffy Nose
- Runny nose with clear discharge that may turn cloudy
- Sore throat
- Cough - either productive or non-productive
- Mild headache
- Low-grade fever
- Feeling "run down"
- Duration of 7-14 days
Allergies
- Sneezing
- Runny nose with clear discharge
- Sore throat
- Itchy, red or watery eyes
- Congestion
- Mild headache
- No fever
- Feeling "like yourself"
- Duration longer than 14 days
Sinus Infections
- Nasal congestion with thick yellow-green mucous
- Throbbing headache
- Fever
- Intense pain or pressure in face and head
- Ear congestion
- Duration of 21-30 days
Treating Colds, Allergies and Sinuses
"Colds are generated by a virus that the body will eventually eliminate," says Dr. Shapiro. "Medications will help control the symptoms as the body works to rid itself of the invader. Over-the-counter antihistamines, antihistamines with decongestants and cough syrup are all options. Prescription medications are available, but over-the-counter versions typically work just fine."
In the case of allergies, patients undergo certain tests to identify the cause of their discomfort. Tests include either a 'scratch test' — where a patient's skin is scratched with specific allergens and monitored for reaction — or a blood test to determine allergy drivers.
Treatment for allergies may include avoiding the allergen altogether. Certain allergens, however, are indigenous to the region — palm trees, for instance — so avoiding them is not always feasible. Over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines, antihistamines with decongestant and nasal steroids are all viable options to control allergy symptoms. Immunotherapy — commonly known as allergy shot therapy — is a treatment option that, over the course of several years, may make patients immune to allergens.
As for sinus infections, treatment options may be more involved."X-rays and CAT scans help to distinguish between acute and chronic sinusitis. These can show excess fluid levels in the sinuses or a blockage caused by a thickened mucous lining," says Dr. Shapiro. "In many cases, antibiotics, nasal steroids, decongestants and antihistamines — either with or without decongestant — relieve the symptoms. In other cases, surgery may be performed to remove inflamed tissue and restore proper drainage."
If you are suffering from the symptoms listed above, consult your physician. For referral to a physician, please call the Memorial Healthcare System Physician Referral Service at (800) 944-DOCS.