Royal Purple

Issue date: 1/23/08 Section: Lifestyle

Ask Abi [Click to enlarge]

Dear Abi,

For the last three weeks I've been sniffling, coughing and sneezing. Can colds really last that long, or do I have some sort of winter allergy?

Josie Cook, senior


Dear Josie,

Since colds and allergies both involve the immune system, the symptoms can be quite similar, so I understand your confusion. A cold is created by a bacteria or virus, which the immune system recognizes as hazardous and attacks. Allergic reactions occur when the body mistakes a harmless substance, such as dust, as a destructive invader. The body then revolts, which causes the symptoms we commonly associate with allergies.

As you can tell, both of these processes are quite similar, so it can be difficult to differentiate which is which. Colds typically only last a few days until the body effectively wards off the virus. Allergy symptoms continue as long as the person is in contact with the allergic material.

Most people associate allergies with the pollen and hay fever that accompany May's flowers in the spring.

However, if you are allergic to dust, mold or mites, winter can actually be the worst season for you. When your furnace kicks in and the dust settled under your bed gets stirred around, you're bound to suffer from a sniffly nose, sneezing and coughing.

That is exactly what it seems to me you have. Recovering from your allergies doesn't require heavy doses of medicine. Simply rearranging your lifestyle or environment can be equally as effective. Instead of waiting until spring-cleaning, maybe you should pull out that feather duster and say goodbye to that layer of dust. If that doesn't do the trick, it's probably time to consult your doctor and request some allergy tests to see what exactly is the culprit of your winter blues.

Best of luck,
Abi

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