Allergies Versus Cold Symptoms: How To Tell the Difference

If you wake up with a runny nose, your first thought might be that you’re coming down with a cold. While common colds are, well, common, they aren’t the only reason you might be sniffling and sneezing. Seasonal allergies can cause a lot of the same symptoms as colds. 

Even though cold versus allergy symptoms are similar, they have different causes and different treatments. Understanding when you have allergies versus cold symptoms will help you know what to do to start feeling better. 

Why It’s Easy To Confuse Allergies and Colds

Both colds and allergies trigger immune system responses that affect your upper respiratory tract. These immune responses cause inflammation and increased mucus production in your nose and throat. That’s why both colds and allergies give you nasal congestion, a runny nose, sneezing, and a sore or itchy throat. 

The triggers for colds and allergies are different, even though some of the effects are the same. There are a few differences that can let you know whether you have allergies or a cold. 

Common Symptoms of Allergies

Allergies are caused when your immune system reacts to something in your environment, such as pollen, pet dander, or dust mites. This can lead to allergic rhinitis, which is sometimes called seasonal allergies or hay fever.

The substances that cause seasonal allergies are harmless, but your immune system tries to treat them like a virus or bacteria and attack them. Exposure to allergens triggers the release of chemicals called histamines, which leads to inflammatory responses in the affected tissue. With respiratory allergies caused by pollen or dander in the air around you, the histamine response affects the nose, throat, and eyes.

Allergies cause physical symptoms such as:

• Congestion
• Runny nose (clear, watery mucus)
• Sneezing
• Itchy and watery eyes
• Itchy throat
• Skin rashes or hives

Unlike symptoms from a cold that go away once the virus is out of your system, symptoms of allergies will last as long as you’re exposed to the allergen. You may notice allergy symptoms for weeks at a time, particularly during seasonal changes when pollen is prevalent.  

Common Symptoms of a Cold

A cold is caused by exposure to one of more than 200 viruses that cause colds, including the very common rhinovirus. Most often, you are exposed to the virus when a person who already has the cold coughs or sneezes. This sends tiny moisture droplets that contain the virus into the air and onto nearby surfaces. The droplets can enter your body if you breathe them in or touch a contaminated surface and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.

When you contract a cold, your immune system initiates responses that will kill the virus, leading to physical symptoms such as increased mucus production and inflammation due to white blood cells rushing to the tissue affected by the virus, such as your lungs, sinuses, and throat. 

This leads to common cold symptoms such as:

• Congestion
• Runny or stuffy nose (thick greenish or yellowish mucus)
• Sneezing
• Sore throat 
• Coughing
• Fever
• Body aches

Cold symptoms last as long as it takes for your immune system to clear the virus from your body. This typically takes about 7 to 10 days before you start to feel better. 

Comparing Allergies and Cold Symptoms: Key Differences

Allergies and colds have similar symptoms, but not identical ones. You can tell if you have seasonal allergies versus cold symptoms by paying attention to how different parts of your body feel. 

For example, allergies often cause itchy eyes, but colds don’t. Colds can trigger a fever and body aches, but allergies usually don’t. Symptoms of allergies can last much longer than cold symptoms and tend to appear during spring and fall. Colds can occur any time of year, but the symptoms go away within a week or two. 

How To Treat a Cold Versus Allergies

Because the common cold and allergy symptoms have different causes, they are best treated in different ways. When dealing with a cold, the focus is typically on managing symptoms while the immune system works to fight off the underlying virus.

You can manage allergy symptoms and prevention with allergy medications or by limiting exposure to known allergens. 

Treating Allergies

If you have mild seasonal allergies, over-the-counter antihistamine medications can be helpful. These medications stop the immune reactions that cause allergy symptoms. Ask your doctor about which type of medication is safest for you to use. 

If you know you’re prone to allergies at certain times of year, follow basic seasonal tips for avoiding allergens, such as:

• Keep windows and doors closed.
• Avoid being outdoors for prolonged periods.
• Wash your hands and change clothes when you come inside to remove pollen residue.
• Launder clothes and bed linens often to remove allergens.

Treating a Cold

When you have a cold, the best thing to do is rest and drink plenty of fluids, especially if you have a fever. 

Over-the-counter cold medicines can help alleviate symptoms. Medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen may help reduce a fever and ease headaches or body aches caused by a cold. Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine may ease a stuffy nose. Cough suppressants such as dextromethorphan reduce coughing spells. Expectorant medications such as guaifenesin thin mucus secretions, which can further relieve coughing and congestion. 

Take all cold medications according to the package directions. If you have underlying health conditions, ask a doctor which cold medicines are safest for you to use. 

Need Help Figuring It Out? We’re Here for You

If you’re uncertain whether you have allergies, a cold, or signs of the flu, we can help. The health care providers at Next Level Urgent Care can diagnose your symptoms and give you treatment advice so you can start feeling better. 

Schedule your appointment today or walk in anytime between 9 AM and 9 PM.