Is it Allergies or Just a Cold? A Spring Checklist for South Africans
With springtime in South Africa around the corner, warmer weather, blooming plants, and longer days outdoors bring a sense of renewal. But for many, it also marks the start of allergy season South Africa, when pollen allergy symptoms and hay fever flare up.
If you’re sneezing more than usual or waking up with a blocked nose, you might be wondering: is it a common cold, or are you experiencing seasonal allergies?
Cold vs Allergies: Understanding the Difference
The symptoms of colds and allergies often overlap, but there are important differences.
- A cold is caused by a virus and usually comes with a sore throat, body aches, thicker mucus, and sometimes a mild fever. Symptoms typically improve after a few days of rest, hydration, and home remedies.
- Allergies, on the other hand, are your immune system’s overreaction to harmless triggers such as grass, dust, pet dander, or pollen.
Signs of Seasonal Allergies
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Clear, watery nasal discharge
- Sneezing fits (often in bursts)
- Symptoms that worsen outdoors or in dusty environments
- Symptoms lasting more than 10 days without worsening
Allergies tend to start suddenly and repeat predictably at the same time each year, especially during spring allergies in South Africa when grass and tree pollen counts are high.
Natural Allergy Relief Through Lifestyle Management
You don’t always need medication for hay fever treatment South Africa. Mild seasonal allergy symptoms can often be managed with natural allergy relief methods and lifestyle changes.
1. Diet
- Eat foods rich in vitamin C (citrus, berries, red peppers) and omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, walnuts, flaxseeds).
- These nutrients have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce allergic responses.
2. Hydration
- Drinking enough water keeps nasal passages moist and thins mucus, making it easier to expel.
3. Exercise
- Gentle exercise boosts circulation and lowers inflammation.
- Avoid outdoor workouts during peak pollen allergy symptoms hours—early morning and late afternoon.
4. Home Care
- Rinse allergens from your nose using a saline spray or neti pot.
- Keep windows closed on high-pollen days.
- Shower and change clothes after spending time outdoors.
5. Aromatherapy
- Diffusing peppermint or eucalyptus essential oil may ease nasal congestion.
- Use with caution if you have sensitive sinuses, as strong oils can sometimes irritate.
Quercetin: A Natural Support for Allergies
Quercetin, a natural plant flavonoid found in apples, kale, and red onions, has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Research suggests quercetin helps stabilise mast cells—the cells responsible for releasing histamine, the chemical that causes allergy symptoms. Unlike pharmaceutical antihistamines, which block histamine after it’s released, quercetin works earlier in the process to reduce histamine release.
It’s easy to supplement with quercetin during high-allergy seasons in South Africa as part of a natural lifestyle approach.
Recognising the Difference Helps You Heal
While both seasonal allergies and common colds can slow you down, identifying the cause is key to finding relief.
If you struggle with recurring spring allergies in South Africa, combining dietary support, environmental management, and plant-based solutions like quercetin can provide effective natural allergy relief—often without relying on pharmaceutical treatments.
References
Mayo Clinic. “Allergies or Cold? How to Tell the Difference.”
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/in-depth/cold-or-allergy/art-20049364
Healthline. “Natural Remedies for Seasonal Allergies.”
https://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/natural-remedies
South African Pollen Count – University of Cape Town Lung Institute.
https://www.pollencount.co.za
Mlcek, J. et al. “Quercetin and its Anti-Allergic Immune Response.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6273625/
Aghababaei, M. et al. “Recent Advances in the Potential Health Benefits of Quercetin.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10384403/
Written by Sjarn Mansoor: Sfera Bio Nutrition Technical Advisor