• Breaking news - all information on the epidemic
  • Graphic: allergy or cold?
  • Podcast. Three quarantines with lots of humor

The arrival of the first days of spring is always a headache for patients with an allergy to pollen. But, this year, in addition to the usual complaints, there is uncertainty as to whether the symptoms that have developed correspond to an infection with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. How does one problem differ from another? Can the symptoms be confused?

Although both disorders share some signs -especially in the first moments of Covid-19-, specialists emphasize that there are several keys that can be useful to distinguish whether we are facing an allergy or another condition.

"There are symptoms of Covid-19 that, at first, may be similar to allergies, such as rhinorrhea or nasal congestion," explains Belén de la Hoz, specialist in Allergology at the Ramón y Cajal University Hospital in Madrid.

But in the case of coronavirus infection, the disease can produce other symptoms that do not occur in the case of allergy, he continues. "In many patients there is a dryness of the mucosa and a loss of taste and smell, which does not occur with an allergy."

On the other hand, "in patients with Covid-19 the itching of the nose and eyes, the tearing and sneezing in salvos do not appear, which do occur in a high percentage of patients with allergies," says Antonio Valerio, president of the Spanish Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (SEAIC).

In addition, both experts emphasize, a fundamental aspect is that the allergy does not give a fever . Neither general discomfort, despondency or digestive problems, something that does occur in the case of the Covid-19.

On the other hand, the symptoms of allergic rhinitis usually subside after taking topical or oral antihistamines , and yet these treatments have no effect on the Wuhan coronavirus. "Taking cetirizine, fexofenadine, loratadine, an improvement is seen in allergies, but not in Covid infections19," says Mariana Castells, a professor at Harvard University and a member of the Gadea Foundation.

Allergy symptoms can also sometimes be confused with those of the common cold, Valero recalls. But in these cases, it must be considered that "unlike the patient with allergies, the person affected by a cold is the same being outside or inside the house", he does not usually develop tearing and itching of the nose and eyes and that he may suffer low fever.

Asthma cases

Although they do not have a higher risk of contagion, Covid-19 can generate more complications in patients with allergic asthma who do not have the disorder well controlled, so it is important that, in these circumstances more than ever, these patients continue strictly. prescribed treatments and extreme precautions to avoid infections, experts recall.

"The airways of people with asthma are more susceptible to respiratory infections, especially viral infections, if the disorder is not well controlled," explains De la Hoz.

"The inflammatory process they undergo can be aggravated by a greater inflammation caused by the virus, so, to avoid complications, it is necessary for patients to comply with their medication and contact their doctors if they are not stable or believe that the treatment is not well adjusted, "adds Valero.

In patients with pollen allergies, confinement may be helpful in combating the symptoms of the condition , since being at home significantly reduces exposure to the allergen, experts say. On the other hand, the reduction of traffic associated with the state of alarm has also reduced pollution levels, a factor that usually aggravates allergy symptoms in large cities.

In any case, to reduce pollen levels inside homes, specialists recommend not to ventilate between 12 and 5 pm "because they are the hours with the highest amount of pollens in the atmosphere."

However, not all allergy sufferers are in the same situation. "Confinement measures can help reduce symptoms in patients with pollen allergies. However, in the case of other allergies, such as allergies to mites or animal epithelium, confinement can contribute to increase them. In these cases , it is essential to take extreme cleaning measures in homes and avoid the use of carpets and appliances where dust accumulates, "concludes De la Hoz.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • Science and health
  • Coronavirus
  • Covid 19

CrisisThe Board closes shops, leisure centers and parks and will confine coastal towns against Covid-19

Coronavirus: Spain comes out onto the balconies to say "thank you" to the restrooms

Economic crisis 'Crack' and emotional shock in Seville after the suspension of Easter due to the coronavirus