Is it really a cold? Here’s how to know if you have winter allergies

Sniffling, sneezing and a runny nose are tell-tale signs of the common cold, but it could be winter allergies.

Allergy sufferers usually get a break when the weather gets colder, but allergy symptoms could kick up even in the winter months for some people. If you’re symptoms last more than 10 days, it’s probably not a cold. A fever is also a good indicator that it’s the cold or flu, not allergies, according to Flonase.

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When it gets cold and your furnace kicks on, it can send dust and mold spores into the air. They can get into your nose and launch a reaction. Commons allergy triggers include dust mites, mold, pet dander or pet saliva.

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"With a cold, first you feel crummy, then you're sick and then gradually your symptoms go away," says Joan Lehach, an integrative medicine physician, told The Washington Post. "Allergies last longer."

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology suggests sufferers minimize their exposure to indoor allergens by vacuuming frequently, washing bedding in hot waters and removing mold with bleach.

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