How to distinguish allergic rhinitis from colds? Are repeated colds allergic rhinitis?

When you have a cold, your nose will feel uncomfortable, with sneezing, runny nose or itching, which are very similar to the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Especially when you have repeated colds, runny nose and sneezing, it is easy to make people think that it is allergic rhinitis. So is there any difference between the two?

How to distinguish allergic rhinitis from cold

1. Similarities

The main symptoms of allergic rhinitis are paroxysmal sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion, which are almost identical to the first few days of a cold. Many cold medicines contain anti-allergic ingredients and decongestants, which can also relieve the symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion. These two points are the main reasons why allergic rhinitis and colds are easily confused.

2. Differences

Different causes

More than 90% of colds in the early stages are caused by viruses, while allergic rhinitis in most cases has nothing to do with viruses but is caused by inhalation or ingestion of allergenic substances.

Different complications

Most colds can heal on their own. In severe cases, purulent sinusitis, otitis media, tracheitis, pneumonia, etc. may occur. Allergic rhinitis generally does not cause purulent infection, and even if it causes otitis media, it is non-purulent secretory otitis media.

Different course of disease

Colds can heal themselves without serious complications, usually within seven to ten days. However, allergic rhinitis can persist for a long time if the allergen cannot be eliminated, ranging from two to three weeks to a whole year.

Treatment is different

Most cold medicines are mixed ingredients, including anti-allergic, decongestant, antipyretic and analgesic ingredients, and can only be used for a short period of time. Antibiotics are also used when there is purulent sinusitis or otitis media. The treatment of allergic rhinitis requires separation from allergens, anti-allergic drugs, desensitization therapy, etc. It is not suitable for long-term use of cold medicines, and antibiotics should not be used.

Are repeated colds allergic rhinitis?

Repeated colds may not necessarily be allergic rhinitis, but may also be chronic rhinitis, that is, repeated acute rhinitis and no cure for more than three months. It may also be allergic rhinitis, but a clear diagnosis of allergic rhinitis requires a typical medical history, and then a nasal examination to see if there is pale mucosa. Laboratory tests, such as nasal secretion smears, allergen skin test results, and serum specific IgE titers are required for a confirmed diagnosis.

Cold is acute rhinitis, which is the acute stage of infectious rhinitis. The course of cold is one or two weeks. Colds are mostly caused by viral infections, and some are combined with bacterial infections. The early symptoms of colds are similar to those of allergic rhinitis, such as continuous sneezing, a lot of clear nasal discharge, nasal itching and nasal congestion, but colds have systemic symptoms such as fever, fatigue and general discomfort! At the end of the cold, the nasal congestion symptoms are severe, the sneezing symptoms are relieved, and the clear nasal discharge gradually turns into sticky purulent nasal discharge!

Allergic rhinitis is a condition in which the body is allergic to certain external substances. When exposed to these allergic substances, nasal allergic reactions occur, such as continuous sneezing, a lot of clear nasal discharge, nasal itching and eye symptoms. Allergic rhinitis generally does not cause fever or other discomfort.

Is a runny nose caused by eating chili peppers a sign of rhinitis?

Chili peppers are very irritating and can stimulate the secretion of the nose or eye glands. Chili peppers also have the effect of dilating blood vessels, which can dilate the small blood vessels in the nasal mucosa. The vascular permeability will cause a lot of obvious nasal discharge similar to allergic rhinitis. However, it is not allergic rhinitis, but vasomotor rhinitis.

The symptoms of vasomotor rhinitis are very similar to those of allergic rhinitis, but this type of rhinitis is a physiological rhinitis and generally does not cause other problems. It just occurs after contact with triggering factors for a short while.

Rhinitis causes congestion or edema, and patients often experience nasal congestion, runny nose, itching, throat discomfort, cough and other symptoms. If you have any doubts, you can go to the hospital's ENT department for examination.