How do I know if I have allergies or a cold?
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Stacy Wiegman answered:It can be hard sometimes to figure out if you have allergies or a cold. Here are some main differences between the two:
- The mucus produced by a cold gets thick and may turn yellow or green. Mucus is typically clear with allergies.
- A sore throat is more common with a cold than with allergies.
- Colds often bring on a low fever (especially in children). Allergies never cause fever.
- Both colds and allergies can cause coughing and sneezing, but coughing is more common with colds, and sneezing is more common with allergies.
- A cold should clear up within a week to 10 days. An allergy can drag on for as long as you're exposed to what's causing it.
- A cold is most common in winter, while allergies can crop up any time of year.
- Itchy eyes are a classic sign of allergies but don’t occur with colds.
- Both colds and allergies can cause fatigue, but aches and pains usually indicate a cold or even the flu.
It can be hard sometimes to figure out if you have allergies or a cold. Here are some main differences between the two: The mucus produced by a cold gets thick and may turn yellow or green. Mucus is typically clear with allergies. A sore... More -
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital answered:Both a cold and allergies can cause a runny nose, nasal congestion, coughing, sneezing, and sore throat. While a cold typically lasts a week or two, allergies tend to last longer such as 6 weeks for ragweed or grass pollen seasons. Allergies never cause aches or pains or fever.
Both a cold and allergies can cause a runny nose, nasal congestion, coughing, sneezing, and sore throat. While a cold typically lasts a week or two, allergies tend to last longer such as 6 weeks for ragweed or grass pollen seasons. Allergies... More -
Discovery Health answered:Allergic rhinitis symptoms (red, itchy eyes; stuffed-up nose; sneezing) are often mistaken for those of a cold. So what are the main differences?
With allergies, these symptoms can continue for weeks or sometimes for the whole year year; with a cold, the symptoms persist for approximately 10 days and then they disappear. Also, nasal discharge from an allergy sufferer is typically clear and thin, while people with a cold will often have a thick, yellowish discharge that results from infection.
Unfortunately, there's no reason that the two can't tango together! When your nasal membranes become irritated by constant sneezing and sniffling brought on by allergies, it's easy pickin's for viruses and germs to move in and cause an infection.
Here are some tips for telling the difference between a cold and allergic rhinitis:Colds: fever common
Allergies: no fever
Colds: very contagious
Allergies: not contagious
Colds: frequent muscle or joint aches
Allergies: no muscle achesAllergic rhinitis symptoms (red, itchy eyes; stuffed-up nose; sneezing) are often mistaken for those of a cold. So what are the main differences? With allergies, these symptoms can continue for weeks or sometimes for the whole year year; with a... More -
Telling the difference between colds and allergies can be difficult because they can have many of the same symptoms, such as runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, or coughing. However, sore throat and fevers are more common with colds. If you are having itchy or watering eyes, this could be more likely with allergies but is not impossible with a cold. A pattern to your symptoms may also tell you more: If you wake up without symptoms, and then they start becoming bad after going outside, then it may more likely be due to being exposed to allergens, and thus, allergies again.Telling the difference between colds and allergies can be difficult because they can have many of the same symptoms, such as runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, or coughing. However, sore throat and fevers are more common with colds. If you are... More
