Table of Contents
Allergies are often challenging, especially in the spring and fall. While an over-the-counter homeopathic allergy medicine can help, you may still suffer from a dry cough or worse. The problem with allergies and an allergy cough is it is often hard to tell the difference between it and a cough caused by a virus.
Knowing whether you have allergies or the flu is important because it can mean drastically different approaches to treating the symptoms. For instance, the flu might require a trip to the doctor for antibiotics or other prescription medications. Seasonal allergies, while a nuisance, rarely requires medical intervention beyond an OTC tablet.
Different Types of Coughs
Did you know there are different types of coughs? An allergy cough tends to be a dry cough, no mucus or phlegm comes up, and they are considered unproductive. A wet cough tends to come with an illness or infection. You will usually expel mucus or phlegm with a wet cough. Both dry and wet coughs can become chronic issues, while cough tablets for adults can help alleviate some symptoms; you might want to speak with your doctor should the cough become chronic.
If you have any persistent cough, there can be questions about the cause. Unfortunately, without tests, everything is speculation. Definitive answers require investigation.
Relieve Your Allergies
You can often tell if a cough is related to allergies because it does not feel as heavy as a wet cough. A wet cough typically comes from the lungs, and you can feel it in the chest. A dry cough might seem to come more from the throat or the back of the mouth; it feels higher up and away from the chest cavity.
If you believe your cough results from allergies, consider taking an OTC allergy medication. If you do not know what caused the allergy attack, consider going to a specialist and getting tested. A doctor should be able to find out your specific allergies.
Is It Allergies or the Flu?
Allergies can produce runny noses, congestion, watery eyes, and a cough. The symptoms sound like the flu. However, the flu is a whole-body experience. You will experience a fever, body aches, nausea, and more with the flu. Additionally, flu symptoms tend to last longer than allergies. The flu usually lasts one to two weeks, whereas allergy symptoms can ease up after a couple of days, depending on exposure to the allergen.
If you find your symptoms are more in line with the flu, consider taking one of the best over the counter flu medicines to find relief. Taking medication can weaken the symptoms and may aid in recovery. However, for persistent symptoms, talk to your doctor.
Are you currently struggling with a bothersome cough? Is it dry or wet? If you are not sure about your OTC options, you can speak to a pharmacist. Contact your local pharmacy to learn more about coping with flu or allergy symptoms. If your symptoms continue to evolve or remain, schedule an appointment with your primary care physician.