COVID or allergies? Here’s why you might feel stuffy as Sacramento weather warms

Sacramento’s pollen level index continues to rise as warmer weather persists.

Enter: Another round of “is it COVID or is it allergies?”

According to a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration report, an allergy is a reaction of your immune system to something that is essentially harmless like pet dander, nuts or pollen. But for seasonal allergy sufferers, which makes up 30% of the world’s human population — symptoms could last for months at a time.

And the increase in warmer weather doesn’t help. As climate warms, pollen season will start sooner, last longer and produce more pollen, according to the report.

And as the warm weather continues, so does the rise in the region’s pollen index level.

Here’s what you can do to minimize your exposure to pollen, according to UC Davis Health:

Know your allergies: A simple blood test or a skin test at the doctor’s office can identify the substances you are allergic to. Identifying these allergens is important to develop an effective treatment plan.

Avoid high exposure: Avoid mowing the lawn yourself and stay away from moldy piles of leaves. Also avoid irritants such as strong chemicals and pollution.

Protect your indoor space: Keep home doors and windows closed and stay inside. Cool your home using air conditioning but stay away from humidifiers and evaporative swamp coolers.

Get rid of pollen residues: After being outside, shower to wash away pollen and put on clean clothes. Use saline nasal wash to help clear allergens from nasal passages.

COVID vs. allergy symptoms

COVID-19 and seasonal allergies can have similar symptoms. And with the anticipated mask mandate lift, here’s how to sniff out the difference, according to the Mayo Clinic:

Cough - usually COVID-19 and sometimes allergies

Fever - usually COVID-19

Muscle aches -usually COVID-19

Tiredness - usually COVID-19 and sometimes allergies

Itchy nose, eyes mouth or inner ear - usually allergies

Sneezing - rarely COVID-19 and usually allergies

Sore throat - usually COVID-19 and rarely allergies

Runny or stuffy nose - usually COVID-19 and allergies

Pink eye - sometimes COVID-19 and allergies

Nausea or vomiting - sometimes COVID-19

Diarrhea - sometimes COVID-19

New loss of taste or smell - usually COVID-19 and sometimes allergies

If you think you may have COVID-19, you can search for testing locations in your area and talk to your health care provider.

This story was originally published February 10, 2022 at 11:45 AM.