The space between winter and spring can bring a lot of confusion about what your symptoms mean: flu season isn’t over yet, allergy season is starting and the inconsistent weather we get this time of year can have all kinds of effects on your sinuses. If you have a sniffly nose, you may be wondering what the root cause is and how to treat it.
What Is a Cold Snap?
Have you ever heard the term “false spring?” We hear that term a lot in Salem. It describes the days when the weather warms up for a day or two, maybe even a week, raising hopes that the long, cold winter is over, only for the temperature to fall just as suddenly as it rose, bringing another week of cold and rain. More officially, this is called a cold snap.
How Does a Cold Snap Affect My Nose?
Cold air has lower humidity levels than warm air, and your nasal passages much prefer to be well-hydrated. Much of the moisture your nasal passages receive comes from the air you breathe, so less humid air means your nose may dry out. Dry nasal passages will become irritated and inflamed, and the mucus membranes may increase mucus production to rehydrate the passages, leading to congestion, a runny nose, and ultimately rhinitis or even a sinus infection.
How Can I Tell if My Symptoms Are Due to Allergies or a Cold Snap?
Let’s go back to rhinitis for a moment. There are allergic rhinitis and nonallergic rhinitis, and both can be induced by cold weather. Since these two conditions are so similar, it can make it very difficult to tell whether your symptoms are due to allergies or the cold snap. Both reactions will cause a runny nose and congestion, but there are some key differences that may help you narrow down the root cause.
- Itchiness. Nonallergic rhinitis and other effects of cold weather will not cause itchiness, such as itchy eyes, itchy nose or itchy throat, but allergies will. If your sniffles are accompanied by a tingly, prickly feeling in your eyes, nose or throat, it’s probably allergies.
- Sinus pressure. If it feels like there’s a balloon behind the bridge of your nose expanding outward, that’s congestion and sinus issues. This kind of sinus pressure doesn’t occur with allergies.
- Mucus. Your mucus (or snot) can provide some important clues. With allergies, mucus production increases to flush out the offending allergen, so the mucus comes out clear and watery. If your sinus issues are cold-induced, you’re more likely to see cloudy mucus that is yellow or green in color and thick in texture.
Seeking a Professional’s Opinion
At Willamette ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery, we have a skilled team of allergists and ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists who are experts in these conditions. If you’re still unsure what’s causing your symptoms, or if you think you know and need help finding long-lasting relief from the uncomfortable symptoms, call us to make an appointment.
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