Frequently Asked Questions About Nasal Allergy (Allergic Rhinitis)

Question:  I’ve had sneezing and a runny nose for several days. How can I tell if these symptoms are due to allergies or a cold?

Answer:   Sneezing and nasal congestion can be associated with both a cold and allergies. If allergy has triggered these symptoms, you may also have thin, clear nasal congestion and red, itchy eyes. With a cold, you may have thick, cloudy or discolored nasal congestion along with a fever and aches and pains. If you continue to have symptoms after a week, see your doctor as you may have developed a sinus infection from either a cold or allergies.

Question:  Why are some springs worse for allergy symptoms than others?

Answer:  Pollen, from trees and grasses, is the most likely cause of spring allergies. Some seasons produce more pollen because of seasonal and daily weather conditions. A mild, wet winter often leads to early pollen production and a more severe allergy season. A late freeze or drought conditions may result in reduced pollen production and a shorter, milder allergy season. Dry, windy days generally spread more pollen over a greater area and cause more allergy symptoms.

Question:  I suffer with hay fever symptoms all year. I always have a runny nose and sneeze a lot. I thought hay fever only occurred in the spring, why is mine worse?
 
Answer:  Hay fever, also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, typically occurs during the spring, summer or fall allergy seasons. Hay fever is caused by seasonal, outdoor allergens (substances that cause an allergic reaction) such as tree and grass pollen and molds. People who experience allergy symptoms year round may have perennial allergic rhinitis. This means that indoor allergens, such as mold, house dust mite, cockroach and animal dander, are also causing your allergy symptoms. 

E-mail our Lung Line nurses with additional nasal allergy questions.

This information has been approved by Epi Mazzei, RN (January 2008).