HEENT stands for “head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat.” If someone is experiencing symptoms that affect those areas, such as sneezing, congestion, and a sore throat, they’ll likely receive a HEENT examination. A HEENT exam for allergies is performed by a healthcare provider, typically during a physical examination, and focuses on checking the head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat.
The trouble with HEENT symptoms is that it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what is causing the symptoms. Is it a common cold, an irritant (such as cigarette smoke or perfume), or is it an allergy?
All three potential causes share many of the same symptoms, including:
There can be many similarities between allergy and cold symptoms, making it difficult to tell the difference between the two. They are both common conditions that affect the HEENT. However, a reaction to a cold is because of a virus and an allergic reaction is your body’s immune system reacting to a substance (e.g., an allergen) that it sees as a threat.
Here are a few key differences between allergies vs. colds:
Some common allergens that could cause your head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat symptoms include:
When HEENT symptoms are caused by an allergic reaction, managing the symptoms can be difficult unless you know the exact allergen that triggers them. Typically, the best way to manage allergies and alleviate symptoms is to consult with your healthcare provider and reduce exposure to the symptom-triggering allergen.
Consider exploring the following remedies to treat HEENT symptoms and minimize exposure to common allergens:2
You may not be able to really find relief until you receive an accurate diagnosis. If you suspect you or a loved one may be suffering from allergies, talk to your healthcare provider about allergy testing options.
A virus or allergy that is affecting one of them may also impact the others, as they are all part of your
Learn more about what’s related to your head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat symptoms: