PHOENIX (April 2, 2024) - ‘Spring has sprung’ in Arizona and with that, Banner Health is reporting an increase with people suffering from seasonal allergies.
“At Banner Urgent Care, we’ve seen a huge increase in allergy complaints,” said Samia Kadri, a lead family nurse practitioner at Banner Urgent Care. “And we sometimes have patients who presume they have a cold because it is difficult to differentiate between the two as they present very similarly.”
Despite a similar presentation, Kadri breaks down a few ways folks can differentiate between whether they may be experiencing seasonal allergies or a cold.
Kadri notes that people suffering from allergies experience sneezing, a runny nose with clear drainage, an itchy throat and red eyes. A cold can include all the above, but often includes a cough that persists past the time that nasal and throat symptoms resolve. Additionally, younger people may experience a fever the first day or two of a cold, whereas with allergies you would not.
“For mild to moderate allergies, we recommend a steroid nasal spray, sterile saline nasal spray and second-generation antihistamines such as Zyrtec, Allegra or Claritin. For severe allergies, we advise seeking the help of an allergist,” Kadri said.
If you’re not sure whether you’re suffering from a cold or mild to moderate allergies, you can be treated in the comfort of your own home through telehealth provided by Banner Urgent Care. During a video appointment, your provider can get an understanding of your symptoms and history to determine whether you’re suffering with allergies, a cold, or another type of respiratory infection.
Banner Urgent Care provides a close, convenient and affordable treatment option for patients with non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries; cold and flu; ear, eye and throat infections; fevers; skin rashes; and sprains, strains and lacerations. Banner Urgent Care is open every day of the year and accepts most insurance plans. For more information, locations and hours of operation, please visit urgentcare.bannerhealth.com.
“At Banner Urgent Care, we’ve seen a huge increase in allergy complaints,” said Samia Kadri, a lead family nurse practitioner at Banner Urgent Care. “And we sometimes have patients who presume they have a cold because it is difficult to differentiate between the two as they present very similarly.”
Despite a similar presentation, Kadri breaks down a few ways folks can differentiate between whether they may be experiencing seasonal allergies or a cold.
Kadri notes that people suffering from allergies experience sneezing, a runny nose with clear drainage, an itchy throat and red eyes. A cold can include all the above, but often includes a cough that persists past the time that nasal and throat symptoms resolve. Additionally, younger people may experience a fever the first day or two of a cold, whereas with allergies you would not.
“For mild to moderate allergies, we recommend a steroid nasal spray, sterile saline nasal spray and second-generation antihistamines such as Zyrtec, Allegra or Claritin. For severe allergies, we advise seeking the help of an allergist,” Kadri said.
If you’re not sure whether you’re suffering from a cold or mild to moderate allergies, you can be treated in the comfort of your own home through telehealth provided by Banner Urgent Care. During a video appointment, your provider can get an understanding of your symptoms and history to determine whether you’re suffering with allergies, a cold, or another type of respiratory infection.
Banner Urgent Care provides a close, convenient and affordable treatment option for patients with non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries; cold and flu; ear, eye and throat infections; fevers; skin rashes; and sprains, strains and lacerations. Banner Urgent Care is open every day of the year and accepts most insurance plans. For more information, locations and hours of operation, please visit urgentcare.bannerhealth.com.
For further information contact us at: [email protected]