Allergies or Cold?



Overview
If you have congestion and a runny nose, or you’re sneezing and coughing, your first thought may be that you have a cold. Yet, these are also signs of allergies.
By learning the differences between allergies and colds, you can find the right method of relief — fast.

A cold, also known as “the common cold,” is caused by a virus. Many different types of viruses are responsible for colds. While the symptoms and severity may vary, colds generally share some of the same basic characteristics.
Here are some key features of the common cold:
  • Colds are transmitted through virus droplets that a sick person sheds when they cough or sneeze.
  • In addition to coughing and sneezing, cold symptoms can include a sore throat and a runny, stuffy nose.
  • More severe colds can also cause headaches, fevers, and body aches.
  • Recovery from a cold is usually quick. The average duration of a cold is 7 to 10 daysTrusted Source.
  • If symptoms last more than a week or two, the virus may have contributed to a more serious infection, such as a sinus infection, pneumonia, or bronchitis.
  • People with allergies may be more prone to catching colds.
Despite its name, you can catch a “cold” at any time of the year, even in summer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source estimate that the average healthy adult catches two or three colds per year.
Young children may get even more colds because of their less mature immune systems.

Allergies occur when your immune system has an adverse reaction to certain substances. When you’re exposed to an allergy trigger, known as an allergen, your immune system releases chemicals called histamines. This release of histamines is what causes allergy symptoms.
Allergies and colds share some common symptoms, such as:
Allergies can also cause rashes and itchy eyes. The common cold typically does not.
Every year, over 50 million Americans experience allergies. Seasonal allergens such as tree, grass, and weed pollen are common triggers, but you might be allergic to certain substances year-round.
Other allergy triggers can include:
  • dust mites
  • animal dander or saliva, such as from a cat or dog
  • mold
  • foods, such as peanuts, tree nuts, milk, and eggs

Since colds and allergies have many of the same symptoms, it may be hard to tell the two conditions apart.
One way to tell what’s making you feel unwell is to pay attention to the symptoms that they don’t share.
Colds are more likely to cause:
  • fatigue
  • aches and pains
  • sore throat
  • fever
Allergies are more likely to cause:
  • itchy eyes
  • wheezing
  • skin rashes, such as eczema or hives

The ‘allergic salute’ | Allergies in children

Another telltale sign of allergies — especially in children — is called the “allergic salute.” Kids with allergies have an itchy nose, which they often rub with an upward hand motion that looks like a salute.

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