Common cold vs. house dust - similarities, differences, how to deal with it.

Symptomatology

• Cough / runny nose
• Scratchy throat
• Fever, chills
• Clear to greenish-yellowish nasal secretions
• All year round, predominantly in spring and winter

Trigger

• Viruses

Treatment

• Body rest and recuperation
• Inhalation
• Symptomatic therapy by moistening and caring for the nasal mucosa, short-term cold spray forn breathing freely

Symptomatics

• Sudden sniffles
• Sneezing attacks, often in succession
• Itchiness of the eyes and nose
• Clear, watery nasal secretions
• All year round, including. In the heating season (autumn and winter)

Triggers

• Excretions of the house dust mite

Treatment

• Hypo- or desensitization 
• Anti-allergic medication 

But how to distinguish what the symptoms can be attributed to? Because from the manifestation both resemble each other at first glance but very:

• Sneezing irritation, swollen nasal mucous membranes and a stuffy nose
• pressure pain in the head
• Reddented or burning eyes
• Neck scratching

Also the autumn, as a transitional period, does not allow a closer determination. Although the immune system of humans is particularly susceptible to colds, especially in spring and autumn, but just the beginning of the heating season can also trigger a strong discomfort thrust in the house dust mite allergy sufferer. The allergens are present throughout the year, but distribute themselves even better in the rooms with the heated air.

If one goes however into the depth, some differences can be made out, which separate the cold quite clearly from the house dust mite allergy.

Colds

• Typically last seven to 14 days.
• All year round, especially prone in spring and fall.
• Announces with single symptoms, such as pressure soreness or scratchy throat.
• Colds feel fittest in the morning. The condition usually worsens during the day.
• Symptoms are equally severe indoors and outdoors.
• Nasal secretions are sometimes greenish or yellowish in color.
• Additional symptoms include fever, aching limbs, chills.
• No family history.

House dust mite allergy

• Long-lasting.
• Occurring throughout the year, especially in the heating season.
• Sudden onset of rhinitis and sneezing attacks.
• Symptoms are most severe when getting up, because allergen exposure is most severe at night.
• Symptoms occur indoors particularly strong.
• The nasal secretion is clear and watery consistency.
• Symptoms such as itching of the eyes and nose or a scratchy throat. Severe sneezing attacks, often several times in a row.
• Familial abnormalities. Close relatives with allergies.

A dust mite allergy can be treated with the help of various measures. In the short and medium term, anti-allergic products such as nasal spray (e.g., Pollicrom® Nasal Spray), eye drops (e.g. Pollival® eye drops) or antihistamine tablets help suppress the release or action of the allergy-causing neurotransmitter histamine and, in this way, attenuate the allergic reaction.

In the long term, the measure of reducing the number of mites proves to be the most effective remedy against dust mite allergy. For this purpose, the room temperature should not exceed 20 °C and the relative humidity should be reduced to about 50% if possible. House dust mites do not like the comparatively cool temperature and die instead of multiplying. However, do not let the rooms become too dry, otherwise irritation of the mucous membranes can occur.

Furthermore, you should offer the dust as little surface area as possible. Therefore, cabinets are more suitable than open shelves, because the cabinet doors prevent the excessive deposition of dust particles.