Haynuts vs. Cold: This is how you differentiate the symptoms

Hatschi! When the nose runs in spring and summer, you quickly suspect a pollen allergy, because the symptoms are typical of allergy sufferers who suffer from hay fever. But what is the difference between runny nose and hay fever?

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The nose runs, the neck scratches-just a harmless cold or hay fever symptoms? When it is diligently joined in spring, the allergy quickly is suspected as the cause of the symptoms. But sometimes the diagnosis is not that easy, because there are hardly any differences in a cold. From the cough to sneezing to sleep disorders, hay fever symptoms can be very different.

We show you how to differentiate the symptoms of pollen allergy, from which a cold can differentiate and tell you a few helpful tips for treatment.

Typical hay fever symptoms

Hay fever is one of the most common allergies in Germany: Around 20 percent of Germans suffer from the famous pollen allergy (Pollinosis). The allergy can express itself in a variety of ways, but mostly the mucous membranes are affected by the nose, eyes and mouth.

Classic hay fever symptoms are:

  • Niesreiz
  • Flow sniffing or a blocked nose
  • Itchy, burning and inflamed eyes
  • A scratching neck
  • Itching in the oral mucosa or in the throat
  • Cough and sore throat can also occur
  • Asthma can also occur in connection with hay fever
  • Seasonal occurrence of the symptoms

Other hay fever symptoms are concentration problems, an impairment of the odor, taste and hearing, sleep disorders as well as dry skin or allergic reactions of the skin.

Tipp:For example, you can cover the bedroom window with a pollen protection fleece to at least partially lock out the annoying pollen.Here you will find a pollen protection grille at Amazon.*
Devices for cleaning the air are also becoming increasingly popular (Buy here at Amazon*).

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What is the difference between a cold and hay fever?

Ctry, sore throat, fatigue: The typical hay fever symptoms are very similar to those of a cold. It is therefore difficult for many to decide where the symptoms come from. Allergic reaction or cold? The following information can help you provide the right self -diagnosis.

Häuschnuzfen symptoms: Around 20 percent of Germans suffer from a pollen allergy.Credit:Getty Images

One of the differences between hay fever and a cold is the sudden appearance of the symptoms. Hay fever is one of the immediately types of allergies: This means that the allergic reaction occurs immediately after contact with the allergen. With a hay fever, the sneeze or tears of the eyes begin shortly after you have come into contact with the pollen.

As a rule, the outdoor symptoms are stronger than in closed rooms. In addition, an allergy sufferer can often remember similar symptoms from the previous year at a similar pollen.

A cold, on the other hand, is slowly sneaking on. First the neck scratches a little, then cough and runny nose are added one after the other. The symptoms are always equally difficult - no matter where you are. Typical hay fever symptoms such as itchy eyes rarely occur in a cold.

The nasal secretion is also a reliable sign of whether it is a harmless cold or an allergy:

  • Clear secretion speaks for the hay fever.
  • In the case of a cold, the secretion is usually more viscous, i.e. thicker and rather yellowish-green.

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Coughing and sore throats as hay fever symptoms also behave differently in a cold. There they are present all day, but they sound off after a few days. If the symptoms are allergic, they are distributed even stronger throughout the day, sometimes weaker. And usually significantly more pronounced if you are outdoors.

AImportant distinction featureBetween hay fever and a cold is also the regularity with which the allergic runny nose occurs once a year more or less at the same time. A cold, on the other hand, does not follow any appointments. A look at thePollen flight forecastSo can also help.

Hay fever or covid-19?

With the occurrence of the Coronavirus, people's uncertainty increased immensely. In fact, it is very difficult to recognize the difference between a simple cold and hay fever. Now also Covid-19? Here, too, the hay fever symptoms can help. As soon as fever and dry cough occur, you should get medical advice.

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What to do with hay fever? Good everyday tips for pollen allergy:

  • The correct ventilation is an important aspect. So you should only do it at certain times. In the city early in the city, in the country in the late evening.
  • For drivers there are special pollen filters for ventilation.
  • Daily vacuuming or wiping reduces the pollen dust at home.
  • Do not take off or store the worn clothing in the bedroom, after all, the load when sleeping should be reduced to a minimum.
  • Wash hair and face before going to bed because the pollen get stuck in your hair. This also applies to the partner who shares the bed with you.

Treat hay fever symptoms

Hay fever is extremely annoying and ensures that many allergy sufferers are depressed instead of joy in sun and spring. Because as soon as the pollen flight begins in spring, hay fever allergy sufferers know what it will expect in the coming weeks. Of course, those affected are impossible to avoid contact with the dreaded allergen when flying pollen. Fortunately, there are various treatment options to make it easier for those affected to live in spring.

There are medication against many hay fever symptoms that relieve the symptoms (Order directly from DocMorris*). So you get eye drops in the pharmacy against itchy and watery eyes. Nasal spray ensures that the nasal mucous membrane will stop and stop running the nose. And special skin care products combat allergic reactions of the skin. There are also antihistamine tablets that can be taken from a preventive effect. They suppress the allergic reaction and thus the hay fever symptoms.

Rinsing the nose with the help of a nasal douche can also help to alleviate the hay fever symptoms, such as the health information pageENT doctors onlinerecommends.

There are nasal showers with a suitable nose washing salt in the pharmacy, in drugstores orHere directly online at Amazon*.

In addition to conventional medicine, alternative treatment processes can also ensure that the various hay fever symptoms. With acupuncture, for example, a improvement can be observed in some of those affected. Approaches from homeopathy, such as self -blood therapy, can also help, but are not scientifically proven.

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Allergy treatment through hyposensitization

In addition to the various drugs for relieving the hay fever symptoms, there are various forms of therapy. Many allergy sufferers turn to the widespread therapy through hyposensitization (also called desensitization): The doctor regularly and the doctor inject the allergen to the data subject regularly and in increasing dose.

The aim of hyposensitization is that the immune system is less sensitive to the allergens. Instead of the syringes, hyposensitization can also be carried out in the form of a drop pollen solution.

At theHealth portal onmeda.deYou can find more information on the subject of hyposensitization and other health issues.

At theGerman Weather Serviceyou can check the current pollen flight hazard index in your region.

Important NOTE:This article only serves the information and does not replace a diagnosis at the doctor. If uncertainties, urgent questions or complaints arise, you should contact your doctor.

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