Care2 Healthy Living/Paula Jones: Cold or Allergies: How to Tell the Difference

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Cold or Allergies: How to Tell the Difference
Cold or Allergies: How to Tell the Difference
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    By: Paula Jones
    April 25, 2018

    About Paula
    Follow Paula at @PaulaDJWrites

It’s springtime. Pollen is in the air. Lots of it. Your car is coated in it, and you can’t sit on your patio furniture without having a backside covered in it.

Many people deal with seasonal allergies every year. They know the drill. On the other hand, you may have never had outdoor allergies in your life. But don’t be fooled, adults are newly diagnosed with allergies on a regular basis.

“Maybe it’s just a cold,” you say to yourself. It seems a lot like a cold. The symptoms are awfully similar. And June from work has it, too. So how do you tell the difference between a cold and allergies?

It's difficult to tell whether your runny, congested nose is allergies or cold. You treat them the same but one is contagious and the other isn't. Here's how you tell the difference...
You Have Allergies If You’re Experiencing…
Clear, Watery Drainage.

In response to allergens, your mucous membranes become more productive. Allergens provoke your body to create mucus with histamine which leads to swelling of the nasal passage and production of clear, watery drainage.

This does not include gunky, green, globs. Yellow, red, or brown doesn’t count either.
Symptoms Past 7-10 Days

In the beginning, your symptoms will be really bad, but your symptoms will stay the same far beyond the normal window of a cold. In fact, they stay the whole entire time the allergen is in the air. For instance, ragweed or grass pollen can linger for six weeks.
Itchy, Watery Eyes

This may be the most uncomfortable allergy symptom for some folks. Your eyes release histamine when they come into contact with pollen floating in the air. Then they turn red and beg to be itched. Your lacrimal glands produce fluid to attempt to rid your eyes of the allergen.
Sneezing

It’s common to sneeze with colds, too, but you’ll notice that sneezing with allergies accompanies you going outside, and not necessarily inside.

If there’s an open window or door, then you’re likely to sneeze inside. But most of the time, your sneezing occurs when you’re in close contact with the allergens.
Symptoms that Worsen in Certain Situations

Like with sneezing, you know it’s allergies if your symptoms get worse depending on where you are. It’s not just sneezing, but all of these symptoms. If you’re out for a picnic and you notice your symptoms flaring up, then it’s allergies.
You Have a Cold If You’re Experiencing…
Fever

Although fever isn’t super common for most people, some individuals do get a mild increase in temperature. You know if you’re having a fever, then it’s definitely not allergies.
Body Aches

Again, not always common with colds but because it’s a viral infection, your body may experience aches and discomfort as it tries to heal. Mild aches is not a thing for allergies.
Thick or Discolored Discharge

What’s tricky here is that nasal discharge with a cold can be watery in the beginning, like allergies. But as the days progress, your discharge will become thick and, most of the time, green. That’s when a neti pot comes in handy!
Symptom Changes or Symptom Resolution

The average cold lasts seven to 10 days with varying degrees of symptoms. Usually your symptoms start with a sore throat that resolves and leads into congestion and nasal discharge.

The absolute maximum length of time for a cold is two weeks. Anything more than that is either allergies or more serious infection that needs to be addressed by your physician.
Final Thoughts

Despite the differences, you’ll treat a cold or allergies exactly the same way. Lay on the nasal decongestants, steroids, and antihistamines, or whatever natural remedies you favor.

If you have a cold, you’ll want to rest and heal. With allergies, you’ll simply need to be patient and avoid the allergen, which can be a bummer when it’s so beautiful outside this time of year.
Related at Care2

    Natural Cold and Flu Remedies Worth Taking
    12 Natural Allergy Remedies that Work
    12 Worst Cities for Allergy Sufferers

Images via Thinkstock
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12 comments
Teresa A
Teresa Ajust now

Thanks
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Brad H
Brad H22 minutes ago

thanks
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Elizabeth H
Elizabeth Habout an hour ago

Hate hayfever.
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Ruth S
Ruth S1 hours ago

Thanks.
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Larry McDaniel
Larry McDaniel3 hours ago

Thank you
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Chrissie R
Chrissie R3 hours ago

2 sneezes = cold. 3 or more sneezes = allergies.
SEND
Sherry Kohn
Sherry K4 hours ago

Many thanks to you !
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Danii P
Danii P9 hours ago

tyfs
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Angela J
Angela J12 hours ago

Thanks
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RK R
RK R14 hours ago

Good info if you cannot decipher either.
SEND
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