What is the difference between a head cold and allergies

Is It Allergies, a Cold or Something Else?

North Texans know that allergy season can last all year. There always seems to be something in the air that can cause a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. But what if the symptoms mean something else? That’s the thing with allergies — the symptoms are just hazy enough that they cross paths with other illnesses. To know the difference, it helps to know the culprit.

Allergies are caused by an overactive immune system that sends your body into defense mode when something that’s usually harmless, such as dust or pollen, is mistaken for germs. Your body releases histamines to go after the allergens, just as it does when fighting a cold. This can cause swelling in your nasal passages, a runny nose, cough, sneezing and itchy, watery eyes.

Colds, on the other hand, are caused by hundreds of different viruses. When one of these viruses gets into your body, thanks to contact with an infected person or contaminated surface, your immune system fights back. The response can come in the way of nasal congestion, a runny nose, coughing and/or sneezing.

How to Tell What You Have

Despite similarities (like both being annoying), allergies and colds do have some differences. The most important one is that colds usually don’t last longer than 14 days. Plus, they may bring with them body aches, a fever and a sore throat. If you still have symptoms after two weeks, you should check in with your doctor.

Allergies can cause a lot of upper respiratory symptoms, much like a cold. You may have congestion and sneezing, but you’ll likely also have watery or itchy eyes and itchy skin. You may feel tired, but not necessarily feel like you’re sick.

Colds and flu typically run their course within five to 10 days. Allergy symptoms may last several weeks to several months.

If you or a loved one is an allergy sufferer, arming yourself with an over-the-counter antihistamine like Claritin or Allegra, decongestant, saline nasal rinse or prescription nasal spray will probably relieve the symptoms.

As for cold and flu symptoms, the best “medicine” involves covering a cough and washing your hands frequently with soap and warm water to not spread your illness to others, getting lots of fluids and plenty of rest, and allowing yourself the time to get well.

It’s best to talk to your doctor about the right treatment for you or your loved one, no matter the symptoms. During a telemedicine or in-office visit at Family Health Center at Virginia Parkway, your symptoms can be assessed and a treatment plan can be determined.

Could It Be Something More?

A lot of attention is being paid to COVID-19 and its symptoms right now. Because this virus is a contagious respiratory illness, it shares some symptoms with the common cold and flu — which can also be passed from person to person. Similar signs and symptoms, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may include:

• Fever, chills and/or body aches
• Tiredness
• Diarrhea
• Sore throat and cough
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Headache

The difference between flu and COVID-19, for example, is they are caused by different viruses. Flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus. When it comes to colds or seasonal allergies, it’s rare to have a fever or diarrhea with either.

With so much out there working against your good health, it may be hard to tell what you have based on symptoms alone. Testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis, and a visit with a healthcare provider is always good medicine.

Family Health Center on Virginia is here to keep you and your family well. We now offer telemedicine visits from the comfort and safety of your home, along with in-office visits. If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, please call our office at 214.618.5600 and we will schedule a telemedicine visit for you. We welcome Medicare, Medicaid, most STAR Plans, CHIP and most Insurances.

 If you develop emergency warning signs of COVID-19, don’t wait. Seek immediate medical attention.

The difference between allergies and a cold can be hard to work out based on the early signs. Both cause similar symptoms, such as a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, fatigue, and a sore throat.

However, they’re very different issues – and knowing which you have is important, so you can ensure you get the best possible treatment1.

Fortunately, there are some key things that can help you tell if you’re coming down with a cold or experiencing allergies.

Discover what separates the two, how to identify one from the other and what to do if you experience symptoms with our useful guide.

You can even take our cold vs allergies quiz.

Is It A Cold Or Allergies I’m Experiencing?

The common cold and allergies share some overlap in their symptoms, but there are ways to tell them apart.

What Is A Cold?

A cold is an infection that can be caused by more than 200 different types of viruses2. It usually affects your:

• Nose
• Throat
• Sinuses
• Trachea (windpipe)

Colds can be contagious up to two days before symptoms start, and can last for two weeks after exposure. There’s currently no cure for a common cold, but they’re generally mild and don’t normally result in serious health problems3.

What Are Allergies?

Allergies occur when your body’s immune system reacts to a foreign substance – such as pollen, mold, animal dander or certain foods4. For many people, coming into contact with these things will have no effect, but for those with allergies it can cause a reaction.

In this case, symptoms are a result of your body producing antibodies to fight off the allergen and remove it. As your immune system reacts, it can cause inflammation of your4:

• Sinuses
• Skin
• Airways
• Digestive system

Some allergies occur at a particular time of year, when the allergen is in the air. Symptoms can vary in terms of how long they last and their severity, depending on the allergen and your body5.

An important difference from colds is that they’re not contagious. Like the common cold, however, most allergies can’t be cured. That said, you can try to control and relieve your symptoms with an appropriate allergy treatment.

If you’re unsure what’s causing your illness, you can take our simple cold or allergies quiz to learn the differences between cold and common allergy symptoms.

Cold Or Allergies Quiz

Want to quickly find out whether you might have a cold or allergies? Discover what may be causing you to feel sick, so you can get relief - and get on living your life! Simply answer each of the questions, and follow the arrows down to get an answer.

Symptoms Of A Cold vs Allergies

Colds and allergies have plenty of symptoms in common, which can make working out the root cause of your illness difficult.

With both, you can experience6:

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Stuffy nose
• Fatigue, tiredness and weakness

To figure out the difference between allergies and a cold, you’ll therefore need to consider further signs.

Common symptoms of a cold that are rare or don’t occur as often with allergies can include7:

• General aches and pains
• Thick yellow or green mucus
• Fever (mostly in children)

Common symptoms of allergies that you’re less likely to have with a cold8 can vary (depending on the allergen and severity of your reaction), but may include9:

• Watery, red or swollen eyes
• Itchy nose, eyes or roof of the mouth
• Thin, watery and clear mucus
• Facial swelling

When Do Colds And Allergies Occur?

The time of year you start to feel unwell can also be another way of telling the difference between allergies and a cold.

Generally, you’re more likely to get a cold in winter10, as cold viruses spread faster in cold weather and immune systems may be weaker at these times. However, it’s still possible to catch a cold any time of the year.

Seasonal allergies, meanwhile, normally strike in spring, when triggers such as pollen generally become airborne11. It depends on what you’re allergic to though, as trees, weeds, grass and other plants can pollinate at different times of the year in different locations.

It’s important to remember you can also experience allergies in fall and winter – for example, ragweed allergies are most common in September and October. Mold, meanwhile, can develop in wet, fallen leaves and as we spend more time indoors, winter allergies can become more prominent – due to things like dust mites and pet dander.

What Should I Do If I Think I Have Allergies?

If you’ve experienced any allergy symptoms, you should see a doctor to get a professional diagnosis and discuss your treatment options. They can confirm whether you have an allergy, advise on what may be causing your reaction, and suggest treatment to relieve your symptoms.

Possible options can include12:

• Over-the-counter medication for allergy relief, such as the ZYRTEC® family of products
• Avoiding your allergy triggers altogether – your doctor may suggest steps to do this
• Immunotherapy, either through injections or tablets, to try to build up an immunity for severe allergies

Download the ZYRTEC® ALLERGYCAST® app* to get a daily pollen forecast, and track your allergy symptoms.

*Standard data rates for your plan apply.

If Allergy Medicine Doesn’t Work, Is It A Cold?

If prescribed or recommended medicine isn’t working, there may be a few explanations.

• Allergy medicine will not treat a cold (and vice versa). So, if you’ve started taking allergy medication without a proper diagnosis, you may just have a cold
• If you’ve had a professional diagnosis, it could be that you need to try another medicine13. If this is the case, speak to your doctor and they may suggest immunotherapy or another treatment

Also, make sure you’re using allergy medications correctly – such as pointing nasal sprays the right way and following the directions on any packaging. You could have your local pharmacist help with drug administration if you are unsure how to use a product.

Cold vs Allergies – FAQs

Will A Hot Shower Help Allergies?

Taking a hot shower after being outside can help to clean off any allergens (such as pollen) that are stuck to your skin. Steam from a hot shower can also help clear your sinuses and airways, providing relief from a stuffy nose.

Does Vitamin C Help With Allergies?

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that supports your immune system. There’s some evidence that it can help reduce allergy symptoms such as inflammation and swelling14, but it’s not conclusive. Increasing your vitamin C intake shouldn’t worsen your allergies, but it may not provide lots of relief.

What Can I Drink For Allergies?

Staying hydrated when suffering from allergies is important, so drink plenty of water, which can also thin your mucus and provide relief. Hot tea, broth and soup also provide mild relief as the steam can help clear your airways when you breathe it in.

References:

1. //www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/expert-answer...
2. //my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12342-common-cold
3. //www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/coldflu.htm
4. //www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/symptoms-causes...
5. //www.aafa.org/rhinitis-nasal-allergy-hayfever/
6. //www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/expert-answer...
7. //my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12342-common-cold
8. //www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/symptoms-causes...
9. //my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8610-allergy-overview
10. //www.cdc.gov/features/rhinoviruses/index.html
11. //magazine.medlineplus.gov/article/what-triggers-seasonal-allergies
12. //www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/diagnosis-treat...
13. //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6136002/

How do you tell if I have allergies or a cold?

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