Sneezing Through the Summer: When a Cold Could be Allergies

We all know the feeling. We’re preparing to spend the weekend outside in the 80 degree weather when we suddenly fall victim to sneezing and a runny nose. A summer cold can damper any warm weather event. But in fact, these symptoms can be the sign of something more.

Allergies affect 50 million Americans, and they don’t only strike during the spring and fall months. Grass pollens and mold spores are very high in the summer, triggering allergy symptoms. So chances are that lingering cold may be allergies.

Adults that have never before had allergies can fall victim this summer. This sudden case of adult-onset allergies can be easy to mistake for a cold. Allergies can often disappear within childhood but return several years later.

Cold and allergy symptoms can often mirror one another. Drs. Ewbank and Smart and the ACAAI have put together the following questions you can ask yourself to help rule out cold or allergies:

Symptoms for two weeks? If you answered yes, you more likely have allergies. While colds might seem to linger forever, they are not as persistent as allergies.

Escalating symptoms? If your symptoms evolve you might have a summer cold. Colds evolve, usually starting with a stuffy nose, throat irritation and low grade fever. Next comes the sneezing and a runny nose, with thickening mucus.

Green or clear? Colored mucus probably isn’t the most pleasant symptom you want to think about. Mucus that turns yellow or green if often thought to indicate an infection, but could also be seen with allergies. Clear mucus can be with either the common cold or allergies.

Have an itch or wheezing? Itchy eyes, throat, and nose, along with sneezing, usually mean allergy. If you also have asthma, you might be more likely to have an allergy. An estimated 75 to 80 percent of asthmatics also have an allergy.

Summer colds and allergies might not seem serious, but they can be. Both can progress and lead to other health complications.

If symptoms are persistent, you should see a board-certified allergist for proper testing, diagnosis and treatment. While there is no cure for seasonal allergies, an allergist may prescribe immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots. This form of treatment can put you on the fast track to relief and is known to modify and prevent diseases progression.