A lingering cough can be frustrating and confusing. Is it your seasonal allergies flaring up, or could it be the start of a respiratory infection? While both allergies and infections can cause similar symptoms, like a dry or irritated throat, the underlying causes and treatments are very different. In this blog, we’ll help you understand the key differences, what signs to watch for, and when a cough might need medical attention.
For same-day cough treatment, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care South Plainfield. Our urgent care center is open seven days a week and treats patients on a walk-in basis. Simply stop by any day of the week during operating hours.
How To Know It’s An Allergy Cough
To know if you have an allergy cough or not, you just need to look at the following signs:
- The presence of pollen
- Sneezing
- Excessive mucus production causes a blockage in the nose
- Fatigue
- Itchiness in the nose
- Runny nose
- Hives
- Spots in the eye when sneezing
- Sinus aches in the eye and forehead
- Dry coughs without any phlegm produced
What Can Cause Allergy Coughs?
Most allergy coughs are mainly caused by the following irritants:
- Pollen
- Mold spores
- Pet dander
- Dust mites
- Smoke from cigarettes and factories
- Toxic chemicals
Symptoms of A Typical Respiratory Infection
What mainly differentiates upper respiratory conditions or infections from allergy-induced coughs is the phlegm produced. Allergy coughs do not produce them, hence they are non-productive coughs. But sometimes, an allergy may cause a respiratory infection that has as its primary causative agents bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Other symptoms that may assist you in determining whether you have a respiratory infection or not include the following;
- Presence of phlegm, productive or wet cough
- Wheezing
- Excess fatigue
- Chills
- Feeling feverish
- Shortness of breath
- Chest congestion
- A cough that lasts a few days to a week
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Different Types of Respiratory Infections.
These are some common respiratory infections that cause coughs:
1. Common cold
2. Pneumonia
3. Bronchitis
4. Asthma
5. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
6. SARS adjacent viruses
7. Influenza
8. Whooping cough
Tips For Treating Your Cough
1. Using Decongestants
To treat coughs whether allergy induced or from respiratory infections, you’ve got to aid the process of relieving the nose and chest of whatever is inducing the cough. Some of these loosen mucus, allowing it to be easily expelled while others lessen the inflammation causing the issues.
2. Antibiotics
If the infection is chronic like pneumonia, your respiratory infection could also be bacterium based. To fix this problem you must take some antibiotics to eliminate the infection. But it is necessary to narrow down the cause of the infection to the fault of a bacterium before antibiotics are given.
3. Steam Inhalation
For providing relief and loosening mucus trapped in the nose and lungs you can inhale steam. All you need is some boiled water in a bowl or a clean towel to dip into it and cover your face and chest with it.
4. Vapor Rubs
Vapor rubs work in the same vein as steam inhalation, if you're having a nasal or chest congestion, you can rub it in either of the affected areas and it will start to soothe those spots and aid the body in reducing inflammation in those spots.
In situations in which the cough becomes chronic, lasting for weeks, or begins to produce bloody phlegm, you should immediately go to an urgent care facility.
Get Walk-In Cough Treatment at AFC Urgent Care South Plainfield
Coughing from allergies tends to be mild and consistent, often improving with allergy treatments. But if your cough becomes more severe, is accompanied by fever, chest discomfort, or produces mucus, it may be a sign of an underlying infection. When symptoms linger or worsen, don’t ignore them– come visit AFC Urgent Care South Plainfield. We’re open seven days a week and provide care on a walk-in basis, meaning no appointment is necessary to be seen by a medical provider. We accept most health insurance plans and provide low-cost options for self-paying patients. If you have any additional questions about cough treatment, or other services we provide, please contact us directly at (908) 222-3500.
