Do You Have A Sinus Infection, A Cold, Or Is It Time To See An Allergist?

Nasal congestion and a headache can cause you to want to do nothing but lay in a dark room with a box of tissues. Depending on the reason for the symptoms, there will be different ways to get through the pain and suffering. You should treat a cold, a sinus infection, and allergies all differently if you want to feel better as fast as possible. Here are a few tips to help you determine which course of action you should take. 

Cold

Generally, when you have a cold you will not only have a headache and congestion, but you may also have a cough, some sneezing, a runny nose, feel tired, and have a slight fever. A cold is a virus and just needs to run its course. Over-the-counter medications to ease the symptoms are about all you can do. 

Sinus Infection

When the sinuses are infected,  you may have a puffy face, experience a toothache, or feel an increase in the pain if you wear glasses or change the position of your head. A sinus infection can be caused by a cold or allergies, or could be its own issue. You should take over-the-counter medications to help with the pain and congestion. If you do not feel better after about a week, see a doctor for a prescription to get rid of a bacterial infection.

Allergies

Allergy symptoms are caused by a reaction to something around you. Not everyone suffers from allergies. If  you know you have problems, it is best to avoid the things that bother you. Allergy symptoms can include a headache, runny nose, sneezing, itching, and maybe a rash. The best way to determine what is causing the reaction is to see an allergist.

While the symptoms of an allergy can be similar to a cold or sinus infection, there are a few differences as noted above. Of course, you could be experiencing a sinus infection due to a cold or allergy. Always treat the simple issue first. Once you have, if you are still having problems, it is time to see a medical professional who specializes in determining what you are allergic to. This way, you will know what to avoid and how to keep the symptoms from getting worse. Do not think that just because you never had allergy issues as a child you are safe. It is possible to develop allergies as you get older. In addition, you may come in contact with something new that is causing the allergy.