As the seasons change, so does the risk of developing symptoms that mimic the common cold. It’s challenging to recognize the difference between allergies and a cold as a lot of the symptoms overlap. However, understanding the key differences and similarities between these two conditions is crucial for effective management and treatment.
Do I Have Allergies?
As the seasons change, so does the risk of developing symptoms that mimic the common cold. It’s challenging to recognize the difference between allergies and a cold as a lot of the symptoms overlap. However, understanding the key differences and similarities between these two conditions is crucial for effective management and treatment.
- Itchy eyes and nose
- Sneezing
- Clear, watery mucus
- Symptoms that last longer than 7 to 10 days
The best way to identify your allergies is by taking an allergy test. Consult your doctor or an allergist for guidance on whether to take a blood allergy test vs skin test. The less-invasive nature and high accuracy of blood allergy tests make them an ideal choice for most people.
Note: Not all home allergy tests are created equal. Use an at home allergy test that is analyzed by a CLIA-certified laboratory or consider going in for testing at a certified lab such as Quest or Labcorp.
Identifying Allergies vs Cold Symptoms
Allergies vs cold infections share some common symptoms, but they have distinct characteristics that set them apart. Understanding these differences can help you identify whether you're dealing with allergies or cold symptoms.
Causes of Allergies vs Cold
- Allergies: Allergic reactions occur when your immune system responds to harmless substances known as allergens. Allergies are not caused by viruses.
- Colds: Colds are viral infections, primarily caused by rhinoviruses. They are highly contagious and spread from person to person through respiratory droplets.
Onset and Duration of Allergies vs Cold
- Allergies: Allergy symptoms develop shortly after exposure to the allergen and will persist for as long as you are in contact with the trigger. Seasonal allergies, such as hay fever, tend to coincide with specific times of the year.
- Colds: Cold symptoms appear within a few days after exposure to the virus and typically last around one to two weeks. They can occur year-round but are more prevalent in colder months.
Learn More: How long do seasonal allergies last? Learn more plus how to treat your seasonal allergies for short-term and long-term relief.
“Immunotherapy helps the body develop immunity to the allergens, so that you can tolerate them with fewer or no symptoms.
Is Fever an Allergy or Cold Symptom?
- Allergies: Can allergies cause fever elevations? No. Allergies cannot directly cause a fever. If you have a fever, it's more likely to be related to an infection.
- Colds: Colds can cause a low-grade fever, particularly in children. Elevated body temperature is a common response to viral infections.
Itching
- Allergies: Itching, especially in the eyes, nose, throat, and even skin, is a common symptom of allergies. This persistent itching is less commonly associated with colds.
- Colds: While colds can occasionally cause an itchy or scratchy throat, it is usually milder and less prevalent compared to allergies.
Citations
¹ Cools, M et al. “Long-term effects of specific immunotherapy, administered during childhood, in asthmatic patients allergic to either house-dust mite or to both house-dust mite and grass pollen.” Allergy vol. 55,1 (2000): 69-73. doi:10.1034/j.1398-9995.2000.00191.x
² Lowenstein, Henning. "New and Improved Vaccines for the 1990s." Clinical & Experimental Allergy, May 1991.
³ Lamb, Charles E et al. “Economic impact of workplace productivity losses due to allergic rhinitis compared with select medical conditions in the United States from an employer perspective.” Current medical research and opinion vol. 22,6 (2006): 1203-10. doi:10.1185/030079906X112552
