Can allergies turn into a cold?

Question

My symptoms started out as sinus pain/congestion, itchy throat, itchy inner ears, slightly itchy eyes, clear runny nose, sneezing, post-nasal drip which caused a scratchy throat and dry cough. My symptoms have now developed into a very runny nose with more color (yellowish green), and a more productive cough (I can feel the chest congestion). I'm still experiencing the itchiness in my throat and ears (just not as strongly). In the beginning it seemed like an allergy, but now it seems like a cold.

Answer 1

They can definitely turn into a cold. I was told by my Dr. that when your body is being aggravated by the allergies and compromising your immunity you can get an infection. The post-nasal drip comes from the sinuses and is really miserable. I think allergies are at a real high right now because I know of three other people excluding myself that are having problems with their sinuses. My eyes are so sore right now. If you start coughing coloured mucous, get on antibiotics as soon as possible. That is a sure sign of infection.

Answer 2

Allergies don't "turn into" a cold, but if they cause enough congestion or if your immune system is a bit down, you can be more susceptible to a cold or infection.

If you want to try an over the counter treatment first, this is what I would do (based on years and years of having been in your shoes):

* push your fluids. drink lots of water and juice to stay hydrated. You should do this anyway, but with a cold or whatever, you need it all that much more. Hot tea in the evenings works well for me.

* take a decongestant (this alone should help half your symptoms) and an expectorant (just the basic stuff) to dry out all the crap that has accumulated in your sinuses and chest.

* suck on some sort of lozenge to soothe your throat. I'm personally fond of zinc or echinecea ones.

If this doesn't help after three or four days, it's time to see a doctor.

Answer 3

no, they cannot

you probably have either a bacterial or viral sinus infection, extremely common, and very much self-limiting. It'll go away in a few days, just take it easy and get some over the counter stuff to treat the symptoms.

As far as your question? No, allergies do not develop into infections. These are two completely different mechanisms. Allergic reactions are hyper-immune responses to outside stimulus. And infections, like the one causing your symptoms, is through growth of bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms in your body causing illness.

One does not have much to do with the other, aside from the fact that the symptoms are caused by your own immune system's response, and not the infection or the allergin.

Answer 4

No, allergies cannot turn into a cold. The two are independent of each other. It sounds like the mucous caused by your allergies have pooled up in your sinuses, creating a haven for bacteria to multiply. Hence your productive cough and colored mucous drainage from your nose. It's possible you may have a bacterial upper respiratory infection (ie. sinusitis).

Try OTC Claritin-D and Benadryl. If it does not improve within 7-10 weeks, go see your MD for re-eval of bacterial involvement.

Answer 5

Allergic reactions can turn into sinus infections once bacteria get into the picture.

But, allergies can not turn into a cold. You have to catch a virus or something like that to get a cold.

Answer 6

No, but it is very possible for allergies to worsen a cold, or to weaken the immune system so a cold can set in.

And yes, some allergy symptoms are very like those of a cold so it's possible to confuse them. But it only sounds like you have a VERY nasty cold.

Try drinking lots of hot things and breathing in the steam, and see if that helps.

Feel better!

Answer 7

no, colds are viral in origin. Allergies can cause sinus infections which are bacterial and can be cured with antibiotics. Drink plenty of water while taking any antihistimines and antibiotics.