Allergy symptoms vs COVID-19 symptoms
April 7, 2021

As a sea of yellow pollen outside is sending allergy season into a tailspin -- local doctors are warning families that spring allergy symptoms can be very similar to COVID-19 symptoms – and you can have both illnesses at the same time.

This is why medical providers with American Family Care (AFC), a national healthcare network with a local clinic, are spreading the word about key differentiating symptoms that should sound the alarm to get a COVID-19 test, ASAP!

COVID-19 vs Seasonal Allergies:

Have a high fever? GET A TEST. Did you lose your sense of taste suddenly? GET A TEST. Are your eyes itchy or watery? You probably have allergies. Sneezing your head off? You probably have allergies.

“Since the symptoms of COVID-19 and seasonal allergies are so similar, many people will be confused about what kind of treatment to seek,” explains Dr. Benjamin Barlow, chief medical officer of AFC. “It is important to always remember, when in doubt, it’s always best to get in front of a medical provider and get checked out.”

Here is a breakdown of COVID and seasonal allergy symptoms.

Dr. Barlow also says patients who start feeling miserable once the first hint of spring hits the air should keep in mind there are some habits that can make allergies WORSE. Top 5 Ways to Make Your Allergies Worse:

1. Drinking Alcohol: An extra glass of wine at dinner could irritate existing allergies. A Danish study found every additional alcoholic drink in a week, increased the risk of seasonal allergies by 3 percent. The researchers suspect the bacteria and yeast in the alcohol produce histamines and cause a stuffy nose or itchy eyes.

2. Making your bed: Dust mites love to put down roots in bedding and mattresses. AFC medical providers say at night, while you sleep, moisture from body sweat helps keep the little critters alive. When you make your bed in the morning, you are tucking in those pesky bugs, so they cannot escape. Airing out your sheets can make it harder for allergens and bedbugs to stay alive.

3. Wearing contact lenses: In some cases, AFC providers say lenses can trap pollen against the surface of the eye. This can be an even bigger issue for anyone who is already suffering from red, itchy eye triggered by seasonal allergies.

4. Eating certain fruits and vegetables: We are raised to think eating our veggies is good for us. Researchers with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America found proteins in certain foods can cause ragweed sufferers to end up with an itchy mouth. The experts say bananas, melons as well as tomatoes can cause a cross-reaction.

5. Using the dishwasher: A Swedish study published in the journal Pediatrics found children do not develop as many allergies if they eat of a hand washed dishes rather than plates or bowls cleaned in a dishwasher. Researchers found automated dishwashers kill so much bacteria children cannot build up an immunity.