Cold or allergy? Getting an accurate diagnosis can be critical. How were you diagnosed?

Many people that suffer from common symptoms such as a runny nose, cough or stomach pains are actually allergic; their symptoms are triggered by normally harmless substances called allergens.

In most cases, symptoms can be kept at bay by avoiding or reducing personal triggers and by taking medication. However, left untreated, allergy may indeed progress into more severe conditions such as asthma. Without taking an allergy blood test, it can be difficult to tell whether allergy is contributing to your symptoms or not.

Ask yourself: Is it allergy – or not?