Colds can become chronic, that is to say they persist over time and come back very regularly. When this is the case, the cold can have several origins, such as an allergy or an underlying illness.
1. What exactly are chronic colds?
The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, which particularly affects the nose and throat. You can recognize a cold by the following symptoms:
- blocked and runny nose;
- sneezing;
- throat irritation;
- a mild cough;
- a slight fever;
- unusual fatigue.
A cold usually heals spontaneously after a few days or even a week. A cold is called a chronic cold, or chronic rhinitis, when it is a cold that lasts several months. In this case, the patient will have the feeling of suffering from repeated colds or of being cold all the time.
2. What causes a chronic cold?
If a patient has the feeling of having a cold all the time or of having repeated colds, and therefore suffers from a so-called chronic cold, several causes are possible:
- A viral infection: a virus can cause a cold which will subsequently turn into a chronic cold, because the viral infection will persist.
- Allergies: allergies to pollen, dust mites, mold or even animal hair can cause a chronic cold, with symptoms present as soon as the person is confronted with the allergen to which they are sensitive.
- Environmental irritants: tobacco smoke, perfume, fumes or even particles present in the air can promote the development of a chronic cold.
- Medication treatment: side effects can contribute to the appearance of symptoms related to colds.
- An imbalance of the nervous system or stress: certain factors can cause vasomotor rhinitis, that is to say intermittent vascular engorgement of the nasal mucosa.
- Thinning of the nasal mucosa: by changing with age or due to certain pathologies, the condition of the nasal mucosa will favor the appearance of repeated colds.
- Chronic sinusitis: a person suffering from chronic sinusitis, which is an inflammation of the sinuses, can develop a chronic cold at the same time.
However, it should be noted that allergic rhinitis is the most common cause of chronic colds. According to a study carried out by the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) in collaboration with the scientific council of the French Society of Allergology, 25% of the population is affected by allergic rhinitis.
3. Cold: when to consult?
It is advisable to consult a healthcare professional if the cold persists for more than seven days. If a person feels like they have a cold all the time, it is best to consult their doctor to get personalized medical advice and better understand the causes of this chronic cold. It is also recommended to consult a doctor if cold symptoms worsen rather than lessen over time, or if the patient also suffers from a chronic illness, such as diabetes.
4. How to cure a cold?
When a person suffers from a simple cold, it is advisable to rest, wash your nose regularly and hydrate well. In the majority of cases, the cold then disappears spontaneously after a few days, maximum a week. In the event of a chronic cold, however, it may be necessary to take treatment adapted to the cause of the illness. In the case of allergic rhinitis, which is the most common form of recurring colds, the MSD Manual mentions, for example, the following treatments:
- local corticosteroids as a nasal spray to reduce nasal inflammation;
- antihistamines, to block the allergic reaction and therefore cold symptoms;
- Desensitization injections containing small amounts of the substance that triggers the allergy, to help build long-term tolerance to prevent allergy attacks.
5. How to prevent colds?
It is possible to put all the chances on your side to prevent recurring colds by adopting a few lifestyle habits:
- Wash your hands regularly to avoid colds linked to viral infections.
- Avoid direct contact with people with colds to reduce the chance of virus transmission.
- Ventilate your home very regularly, for better air quality.
- Adopt a healthy and balanced diet.
- Have regular physical activity.
- Avoid smoking and exposure to smoke.
Sources
Read also :
⋙ Cold: all our solutions to overcome it
⋙ Cold: 10 effective tips to avoid getting sick
⋙ Sore throat, flu, cold: our homemade recipes to treat yourself