How to Tell the Difference Between a Cold and Allergies

Infant Allergies

Seasonal allergies are something that many people suffer from. These will occur during the beginning of one or all seasons as the pollen from various plants is released into the air. It is possible for people to go years without knowing that they suffer from these allergies and confusing it with the cold.

Infant Allergies

The symptoms experienced between these two conditions are so similar and is why we confuse the two together. They both induce a runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, congestion, and a cough. However, each one are induce in contrasting ways and although they are the same they are also different.

Infant Allergies

The first thing to think about when distinguishing between the two is when they begin. If it is allergies then the symptoms will usually come all at one time during a particular season. If it is the cold then the symptoms will come in waves. Usually it will begin with a sore throat before the runny nose begins and then a fever.

Infant Allergies

How long do the symptoms last? People who suffer from the allergies will experience them for as long as they are being exposed to the allergy. When it comes to the cold it will usually only last for a week maybe two.

I know it sounds gross but try to examine the mucous coming from you runny nose. This is an easier way to differentiate between allergies and the cold. If it is yellow then you have the cold. If it is clear then it is only allergies.

How to Tell the Difference Between a Cold and Allergies

Infant Allergies

Wheat and Gluten - What's the Difference Between Allergies and Intolerances?

Infant Allergies

Food allergies happen when an ingredient in food is mistaken as something harmful by the body. As you ingest a food that you're allergic to, the body mistakenly believes it has to defend itself from this 'attacker'. Much as the body defends itself from pollen, the body's own immune system will start releasing antibodies to fight off this 'harmful' invader.

Infant Allergies

A food intolerance is different. A food intolerance is caused by the digestive system itself responding to an irritating food, as opposed to the response of the whole immune system as happens with an allergy. In the case of intolerance, the digestive system is simply unable to properly digest or breakdown the food. Many people who say they have a milk allergy are actually lactose intolerant - their body has an inability to process the lactose in milk.

Infant Allergies

Symptoms of a wheat or gluten allergy can include itchy skin - sometimes with rashes or hives, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, eczema, joint and muscle aches and pains, shortness of breath and respiratory distress, chest pain, swelling of the airways, and anaphylaxis. Allergic reactions to food can be life threatening, and may require immediate medical care and treatment with antihistimines.

Infant Allergies

On the other hand, symptoms of wheat or gluten intolerance may include stomach pain, nausea, cramps, bloating, gas, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, headaches, irritability, and an unexplained runny nose or itchy eyes. A food intolerance is not usually considered life threatening, although the digestive disorders can cause problems with child growth and development by preventing proper absorption of nutrients.

Apart from the severity of symptoms, another difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance is the amount of food needed to trigger a reaction. Allergies can be triggered by very small amounts of the food allergen. Food intolerance, on the other hand, is affected by the quantity of the food consumed. Eating the occasional small amount of the offending food might not cause a problem, but eating a large amount or eating it frequently may produce symptoms.

And how about Celiac Disease; how does it figure into all this? Celiac (or coeliac) is symptom to a gluten intolerance, however the outcome is more severe. In CD, the small intestine reacts badly to gluten, which is present in wheat and some other grains. The small intestine becomes inflamed which leads to reduced absorption of nutrients passing through during digestion. Eventually, signs of malnourishment can appear as a result of the nutrients not being properly absorbed by the small intestine.

Wheat and Gluten - What's the Difference Between Allergies and Intolerances?

Infant Allergies

Colic in children - the difference between allergy and intolerance to lactose in milk

Infant Allergies

Parents often to her child, according to the formula in an attempt to diagnose colic in infants. While the type of formula can sometimes play a role in the symptoms of colic, there is a big difference between a simple allergy to milk and lactose intolerance. The difference between the two can help when it comes to discussing your baby's colic with the pediatrician.

Infant Allergies

Lactose intolerance refers to the inability to digest milk sugar. Very few childrenlactose intolerance and even for those who are often the treatment is almost complete natural enzymes, which are used to reduce the sugar in milk. Colic in infants with lactose intolerance is usually associated with cramps in the stomach and cause pain condition. Premature babies are more likely to lactose intolerance associated with colic babies born at term.

Infant Allergies

Allergies to milk, by contrast, have nothing to do with the ability to digestMilk sugar. Instead, the body has an allergic reaction to milk protein, the slow onset, or the immediate appearance, may depend on the severity of allergies. Infants allergic to milk often have blood in stool, abdominal pain and irritability. Other symptoms include hives, rash, shortness of breath, vomiting and diarrhea. These symptoms can mimic many other conditions, and can be difficult to diagnose in children. Colic of infants allergic to milkcan often be reduced if the allergy is addressed and dairy products should be avoided.

Infant Allergies

Milk allergies are much more dangerous than lactose intolerance, as a whole. If you fear that your baby gets colic is caused by one of the following conditions, you should talk to your pediatrician as soon as possible. Rapid diagnosis can mean the most peaceful nights for you and your child.

Colic in children - the difference between allergy and intolerance to lactose in milk

Infant Allergies