Four Seasons Pharmacist says: Sneezing, runny nose...allergies or colds?

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Zhengzhou Central Hospital of Henan Province was founded in 1954. It is a comprehensive tertiary-level hospital integrating medical treatment, teaching, scientific research, and preventive health care. The group is committed to the transformation of the traditional hospital management model, leading the "Internet medical" model with innovation, realizing the "hospital at your fingertips" throughout the process, and building a new model of smart medical services. The pharmacy team adheres to the concept of "popularization of rational drug use first" and practices "quality pharmaceutical services based on value-based medical care". In recent years, it has actively carried out pharmaceutical popularization activities and expanded from the hospital to kindergartens, communities and medical alliance hospitals.

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In this spring when everything is revived, many people experience symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion. What is going on? Is it a cold or an allergy? Recently, Ms. Wang took cold medicine for 5 days because of these symptoms, but it did not get better. She was admitted to the hospital and found out that it was allergic rhinitis that was causing the problem.

In spring, as rapeseed, peony, magnolia and other plants bloom one after another, the number of patients with allergic rhinitis increases significantly. So, for people who experience respiratory allergy symptoms for the first time, how can they judge whether they are allergic or have a cold? And how can they be treated?

Differentiating between allergies and colds

First of all, the course of allergic rhinitis is long, generally more than 2 weeks, and for many patients the course of the disease even lasts the entire pollen season; while the common cold cycle generally only lasts about 7 days.

Secondly, the symptoms of allergic rhinitis are frequent sneezing, itchy nose, nasal congestion, and clear nasal discharge, which may be accompanied by eye symptoms such as itchy eyes, tearing, red eyes, and burning sensation. Some patients may also have discomfort symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and skin itching. Although patients with the common cold may also experience symptoms such as sneezing and runny nose, they generally do not experience discomfort in the eyes, skin and other parts.

Furthermore, patients with allergic rhinitis generally do not have a fever, while patients with the common cold may experience low-grade fever, cough, thick nasal discharge, sore throat, small amounts of sputum, loss of appetite, fatigue and other discomforts.

How to treat it?

For allergic rhinitis, the main treatment drugs currently include nasal glucocorticoids (such as beclomethasone dipropionate nasal spray, budesonide nasal spray, triamcinolone acetonide nasal spray), with a course of treatment of not less than 2 weeks; oral antihistamines (such as loratadine, cetirizine), with a course of treatment of not less than 2 weeks; nasal antihistamines (such as azelastine, carbastine nasal spray), with a course of treatment of not less than 2 weeks; leukotriene receptor blockers (such as montelukast sodium chewable tablets), with a course of treatment of more than 4 weeks. In addition, patients can use normal saline or 2% hypertonic saline for nasal irrigation to remove nasal irritants, allergens, etc. If the patient's symptoms are severe, oral glucocorticoids (such as prednisone, taken in the morning, 5 to 7 days) can be taken for a short period of time. For those with severe nasal congestion, low-concentration decongestants (such as 0.025% oxymetazoline) can also be used for nasal spray for a short period of time, but oral decongestants (such as pseudoephedrine) are not recommended.

Most common colds are caused by viral infections. Currently, there is no specific antiviral drug. The main treatment is symptomatic treatment and symptom relief. For example, physical cooling should be used for low-grade fever; cough can be treated with drugs such as Feili Ke and Suhuang cough suppressant. At the same time, patients should pay attention to rest, drink water appropriately, and keep the indoor air circulating.

Daily precautions

1. For patients with allergic rhinitis, you can start using mast cell stabilizers such as sodium cromoglycate 2 to 3 weeks before pollen spread for prevention. If you go out, try to wear a mask and goggles; try to reduce contact with allergens and avoid keeping pets; pay attention to indoor cleanliness. For patients who are using nasal corticosteroids, in order to reduce the occurrence of nosebleeds, avoid spraying towards the nasal septum.

2. To prevent colds, you should wash your hands frequently and maintain good hand hygiene habits; pay attention to strengthening exercise, improving physical fitness, living a regular life, avoiding staying up late, overwork, and avoiding catching cold; improve nutritional status, etc.

Don't panic if you experience symptoms such as sneezing and runny nose. You can judge whether you have a cold or allergies based on the above introduction. If the symptoms are severe or cannot be correctly distinguished, you should actively seek medical attention and use relevant drugs correctly and reasonably under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.