Doctor, my nasal congestion and sneezing, is it a cold or rhinitis? "Every season, patients in the hospital often hear confusion. About 40% of patients with allergic rhinitis initially mistake their symptoms for a common cold, leading to delayed treatment and even worsening of the condition. Today, the doctor teaches you how to quickly distinguish between these two diseases through scientific comparison and a simple self-test form, and provides practical coping guidelines. Although the typical symptoms of the true culprit cold and allergic rhinitis are highly similar, decoding the four key differences can identify the cause. The nasal congestion and runny nose of the common cold usually last for 3-7 days and gradually subside with the clearance of the virus; Allergic rhinitis may last for weeks to months, and if exposed to allergens for a long time, symptoms may recur. Special signal colds are often accompanied by systemic symptoms such as low-grade fever, muscle soreness, sore throat, etc; Allergic rhinitis is more likely to cause itching in the eyes, ear canal, and throat, as well as continuous watery nasal discharge. A simple discernment technique: If sneezing occurs in 5-10 consecutive bursts, it is highly likely to be an allergic reaction. Do you sneeze immediately after suddenly entering a dusty environment? Are the symptoms severe after waking up in the morning? These patterns of increased exposure to specific substances or time periods suggest a sensitive response of allergic individuals to substances such as dust mites and pollen. Liquid evidence suggests that in the early stages of a cold, there may be clear nasal discharge, but after 2-3 days, it may turn into yellow, thick, and purulent nasal discharge; Allergic rhinitis is characterized by transparent egg white discharge from beginning to end, and in large amounts, it can even cause "nasal reflux" leading to pharyngitis. Please answer the following questions regarding the scoring rules for the rapid self-test form: Yes (+2 points) Uncertain (+1 points) No (0 points) 1. Symptoms persist for more than 10 days without improvement? 2. Do you feel obvious itching in your eyes/throat? 3. Do symptoms suddenly worsen after entering a damp room/garden? 4. Is the nasal mucus always clear as water and has a large flow rate? 5. Do family members have a history of allergic rhinitis or asthma? Result analysis: 0-3 points, high likelihood of common cold; 4-6 points, mixed upper respiratory tract infection, it is recommended to seek medical attention; 7-10 points, high risk of allergic rhinitis, it is recommended to undergo allergen testing. Three things to do when diagnosing a cold: physically block the spread of the virus. The first three days after symptoms appear, the infectivity is strongest. It is necessary to wear a mask and regularly open windows for ventilation. The principle of tiered medication is to prioritize physical cooling when the body temperature is below 38.5 ℃; Pseudoephedrine medication for nasal congestion; Do not misuse antibiotics. The key focus of disease monitoring is to be alert to complications such as sinusitis if headache/yellow phlegm persists after 7 days. Management plan for allergic rhinitis: Install HEPA filter purifier (CADR value>200) for environmental control, and control the humidity at 40% -50% to suppress dust mites. Mild onset saline flushing+second-generation antihistamines (cetirizine/loratadine). Moderate or above combination use of nasal hormones (mometasone furoate) and leukotriene receptor antagonists (montelukast). For those whose immune regulatory symptoms persist for more than 3 months, sublingual desensitization treatment may be considered after allergen testing. If you have these symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible. If there is a foul odor and purulent nasal discharge from one side of the nasal cavity, be alert to fungal sinusitis. If nasal congestion persists after 2 weeks of medication treatment, it suggests the possibility of nasal polyps. The occurrence of wheezing sounds or difficulty breathing at night suggests the possibility of progressing to asthma. Long term defense guidelines focus on pollen concentration forecasts. For pollen allergy sufferers, they should pay attention to local pollen concentration forecasts, close car windows during peak hours, and take a shower immediately after returning home. Regular cleaning of bedding is recommended for individuals with dust mite allergies. It is recommended to clean bedding with hot water above 55 ℃ every week and freeze plush toys for 24 hours to remove mites. Supplementing with vitamin D3 (800IU per day) can reduce the risk of developing colds during the period of immune decline in patients with allergic rhinitis and prevent cross infection. Through scientific identification and precise intervention, over 90% of nasal symptoms can be effectively controlled. Remember: a correct diagnosis is more important than blindly taking medication. When self-regulation is not effective, it is necessary to promptly go to the ENT department for nasal endoscopy and allergen testing in order to fundamentally solve the problem. (New Society)