“Cold or allergies?”

Sounds like a cold. Cold remedies that work If you catch a cold, you can expect to be sick for one to two weeks. That doesn't mean you have to be miserable. These remedies might help you feel better: - *Stay hydrated.* Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration. Avoid alcohol, coffee and caffeinated sodas, which can make dehydration worse. - *Rest.* Your body needs rest to heal. - *Soothe a sore throat.* A saltwater gargle 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt dissolved in an 8-ounce glass of warm water can temporarily relieve a sore or scratchy throat. Children younger than 6 years are unlikely to be able to gargle properly. You can also try ice chips, sore throat sprays, lozenges or hard candy. Use caution when giving lozenges or hard candy to children because they can choke on them. Don't give lozenges or hard candy to children younger than 6 years. - *Combat stuffiness.* Over-the-counter saline nasal drops and sprays can help relieve stuffiness and congestion. In infants, experts recommend putting several saline drops into one nostril, then gently suctioning that nostril with a bulb syringe. To do this, squeeze the bulb, gently place the syringe tip in the nostril about 1/4 to 1/2 inch (about 6 to 12 millimeters), and slowly release the bulb. Saline nasal sprays may be used in older children. - *Relieve pain.* For children 6 months or younger, give only acetaminophen. For children older than 6 months, give either acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Ask your child's doctor for the correct dose for your child's age and weight. Adults can take acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or aspirin. Use caution when giving aspirin to children or teenagers. Though aspirin is approved for use in children older than age 3, children and teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin. This is because aspirin has been linked to Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially life-threatening condition, in such children. - *Sip warm liquids.* A cold remedy used in many cultures, taking in warm liquids, such as chicken soup, tea or warm apple juice, might be soothing and might ease congestion by increasing mucus flow. - *Try honey.* Honey may help coughs in adults and children who are older than age 1. Try it in hot tea. - *Add moisture to the air.* A cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier can add moisture to your home, which might help loosen congestion. Change the water daily, and clean the unit according to the manufacturer's instructions. - *Try over-the-counter (OTC) cold and cough medications.* For adults and children age 5 and older, OTC decongestants, antihistamines and pain relievers might offer some symptom relief. However, they won't prevent a cold or shorten its duration, and most have some side effects. Experts agree that these shouldn't be given to younger children. Overuse and misuse of these medications can cause serious damage. Talk with your child's doctor before giving any medications. Take medications only as directed. Some cold remedies contain multiple ingredients, such as a decongestant plus a pain reliever, so read the labels of cold medications you take to make sure you're not taking too much of any medication.

It could be either; a common viral URI (cold) will usually improve somewhat within a week or so, while allergies will come and go with the presence of the allergen (pollens, animals, dust mites...). Allergy testing can be helpful in the long term if this is your concern.
Flonase is an over the counter nasal steroid, acting as an anti-inflammatory, that is very helpful when used daily for a minimum of 2 weeks, and can be effective for both viral symptoms and seasonal allergies.

Symptoms of the common cold and allergies can often overlap and make it hard to determine what is causing the symptoms. Usually, cold symptoms last for less or close to a week and respond to OTC cold medications. If you have persisting symptoms and they respond to usual OTC medications like Claritin or Zyrtec then it is likely that they are allergies. You should certainly see an allergist to help with that esp. if your symptoms have been present during the same time for several yrs. Hope that helps. 

Monika Korff, MDDiplomate of ABAI
FACAAI
office - 410-730-6000
mkorffmd@yahoo.com