Texans: Understanding Allergies vs. the Common Cold
Allergy season is already well underway, and we’re just now starting to wrap up the Common Cold season. But we get asked this a lot: do I have allergies? Or is it just the common cold?
Here’s our guide to decipher between the two.
Common Cold Symptoms
We’ve talked about this one on the blog before. Whether you’re in Texas or not, allergies can feel a lot like the common cold. For example, a common cold involves sneezing, mucus, a runny nose, a sore throat, and maybe even a cough.
However, rarely does a common cold involve itchy eyes—the only symptom that is exclusive to allergies.
To treat the common cold, you may take pain relievers, over-the-counter decongestants, and other cold remedies. Plus, the common cold typically lasts ten days, with some lasting for two to three weeks. It’s also important to note that again, the common cold is the most infectious and transmissible within the first three days of infection.
Allergy Symptoms
Allergies are a little easier to detect, however, their symptoms can be so intense that they do feel like the common cold. With allergies, the symptoms include:
Cough
Itchy eyes
Sneezing
Runny or stuffy nose
However, if it was really just allergies, then you would rarely or never experience:
Fever
General aches and pains
Sore throat
Fatigue
Cough
Additionally, allergies are not contagious and have no set time period for how long they might last, making them a little less predictable. But one thing is for certain—if your mucus runs clear, then it’s just allergies.
Allergy Season in Texas
The most common seasons in Texas are Mountain Cedar, Spring Trees, Summer Grasses, and Ragweed/Pigweed.
Mountain Cedar
You know Mountain Cedar season by its alternate name, Cedar Fever. Mountain Cedar season runs from late November all the way through the beginning of February. By why does Cedar Fever happen? It’s all about the pollen spores released (mostly from Ashe Juniper), that then get carried by strong winds all around Central Texas.
The Ashe Juniper is particularly prevalent within the Central Texas region. According to experts at the Texas A&M Forest Service, “the pollen from Ashe junipers isn’t particularly allergenic or harmful – it’s just so concentrated that, even if you aren’t generally susceptible to allergies, it could still affect you.”
What’s worse, is that because Cedar Trees are one of the few that are pollinated during the winter, they release all their spores after a major cold front, which typically coincides with allergy season.
Note that Cedar Fever, regardless of the name, will rarely cause your body temperature to increase past 101.5 Fahrenheit.
Spring Trees
This season includes trees like Elm, Ash, Pecan, and Oak. It typically begins in mid-February and lasts until the end of May.
Summer Grasses
This is by far one of the longest seasons, as it starts at the beginning of March and lasts all the way until mid-September — generally how long our summers last in Texas.
Ragweed/Pigweed
This season usually happens around the Fall. It includes Marsh Elder, Fall Elm, Ragweed, and Pigweed. It starts in late July and ends in mid-November.
Allergens Year-Round
In Texas, our year-round allergens include Mold Spores, Dust Mites, Cat, and Dog — these are of course the most popular allergens in a lot of other places as well, but are particularly prevalent here in the Lone Star State.
Regardless of where you live, we all have some allergen that affects us. Just be sure to keep an eye on the telltale signs, get some rest, keep your windows and doors closed (to limit pollen exposure), and keep an eye on your temperature. And if you have any additional questions, please stop by our office!