Description and Possible Medical Problems
You may think your stuffy nose is due to a cold—after all, you’ve never been allergic to anything—but think again. Adult-onset allergies are more common than most people think, especially with the increasing numbers of people who suffer from environmental allergies, in which rugs, furniture, and even hair spray can ttigger an allergic reaction.
If your stuffy nose is due to an allergy and not to a cold or flu, you’ll probably answer yes to these questions:
1. Has my clogged or runny nose lasted far longer than a cold usually does?
2. Do my symptoms seem to appear and disappear without warning?
Treatment
Allergies can occur at any time of the year, although spring, when pollen is at its most abundant, and fall, when ragweed is in bloom, are the seasons when allergies and the accompanying nasal discomfort become most severe. At other times of the year, allergies to household mold and dust can cause a reaction.
When it’s impossible to avoid the offending allergic substances, you can treat your stuffy nose with over-the-counter antihistamines or decongestants. Look for antihistamines that don’t make you sleepy, and don’t overdo it with the decongestants, especially the sprays—it’s easy to become hooked on them.
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