Allergies or Cold who Knows?

If you are like me, this time a year ya get stuffy and your head hurts.  So is it a COLD or ALLERGIES? Either way its ANNOYING.  I went to Web MD and here is what I found.

Characteristic	Cold	Allergy
Duration	three-14 days	Days to months -- as long as you are exposed to the allergen
Time of Year	Most often in the winter, but possible at any time	Any time of the year -- although the appearance of some allergens are seasonal
Onset of symptoms	Symptoms take a few days to appear after infection with the virus.	Symptoms can begin immediately after exposure to the allergen
Symptom	Cold	Allergy
Cough	Often	Sometimes
Aches	Sometimes	Never
Fatigue	Sometimes	Sometimes
Fever	Rarely	Never
Itchy, watery eyes	Rarely	Often
Sore throat	Often	Sometimes
Runny or stuffy nose	Often; usually yellow mucus	Often; usually clear mucus

To treat both cold and allergy symptoms, you can try:

• Antihistamines, which block the effects of histamine, a natural substance that causes symptoms such as congestion and a runny nose
• Decongestants, which reduce swelling in the mucus membranes of the nasal passages, making you feel less stuffed up

These suggestions will not clear up your problem, but help you to function!  Good Luck. . . . . .