People often ask us whether allergies can make you feel sick. While allergies can cause symptoms similar to flu or cold, they don’t cause a fever. It’s important to receive the right diagnosis because each allergy has a unique underlying cause. Let’s talk about allergies, cold, and flu symptoms and look at ways to treat an allergy.
Can allergies cause fever?
According to the National Institutes of Health, allergies don’t cause fever. Yes, allergies and colds have similar symptoms, such as a runny nose, sore throat, or sneezing, which can also make you feel sick.
You experience allergy symptoms when your immune system mistakes the environmental intervention and fights harmless particles like pollen or pet dander. This can generate an inflammatory response from your immune system.
On the other hand, the symptoms of cold and flu are caused by viruses that compromise your respiratory system. As a result, your immune system works to keep these viruses out of your body.
Symptoms of an allergy
Following are the common symptoms of an allergy:
- Sneezing
- Clogged nose
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Irritation on skin
People often experience seasonal allergies. For example, you can get sick when trees or grasses release their pollen to help plant fertilization.
If this is the case for you, a doctor specialized in treating allergies can diagnose the problem. They will determine if you are allergic to any particular substance. Your doctor may expose your skin to different allergens to check for allergic reactions. They may also carry out blood tests to check for the antibodies that fight allergies.
Symptoms of a cold or flu
Some common symptoms of a cold or flu include:
- Sneezing
- Chest congestion
- Fever
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Stomachache
- Body pain
Why can’t seasonal allergies cause fever?
A fever is your body’s natural response to eliminate viruses or bacteria by increasing the body’s temperature. There’s no intrusion of germs during allergic reactors. Therefore, you don’t experience fever when you suffer from allergies.
Allergy treatments
The correct diagnosis is key to treating an allergy. While you wait for the doctor’s appointment, you can follow these tips to minimize the symptoms:
- Spend more indoor time when the outside air has high mold or pollen concentration. You can check the website of the National Allergy Bureau for this purpose.
- When pollen or mold concentration is high, don’t go near the garden when mowing. If you have to, wear a mask to prevent the worsening of the symptoms.
- Consider keeping the windows closed and switching on your air conditioner. This will help you stay away from allergens present in the air outside.
- Consider applying a mite-proof bedding cover to reduce the number of mites in your mattress.
- Wash your hands frequently
- If you have pets, change your clothes after touching them.
- You can take over-the-counter medication to help reduce the symptoms.
Conclusion: Visit a Doctor for a Diagnosis
If allergies make you or your loved one feel sick, lousy, and irritated, it’s a good idea to visit a doctor, especially one that specializes in treating allergies. They will diagnose your symptoms and suggest appropriate treatment. For this reason, please schedule an appointment with the doctors at Octagos Health. We provide event monitoring software solutions for patients and healthcare providers. For any questions or a demonstration, call us today at (281) 769-8733