It can be difficult to distinguish between allergies and a cold. The two are commonly confused because many people do not know how to tell these two health afflictions apart. To clear the confusion, here is how you distinguish a cold from allergies:
Symptoms
Both allergies and a cold can have similar symptoms, (like congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes) but allergy symptoms occur simultaneously. Cold symptoms usually happen one at a time. Additionally, cold symptoms typically persist for 7-10 days, while allergy symptoms last until exposure to the allergy-causing agent is terminated.
Sneezing
Sneezing, especially when done multiple consecutive times, is more often a sign of allergies, and not of a cold.
Mucus
A clear, thin, and watery mucus discharge is usually a sign of allergies. When a mucus discharge produces a thicker, yellow or greenish discharge, this is a sign of infection, pointing at a cold.
Presence of a Fever
Fevers are usually associated with colds, and not allergies.
Sore Throat
Allergies can occasionally cause a minor itchy or scratchy throat. However, if actual pain is present in the throat, it is most likely a cold.
Itchy Eyes
Symptoms such as itchy, red, watery eyes are more commonly associated with allergies than with a cold.
The Time of Year
Colds are seen more in the winter. Allergies are more prevalent in the spring and fall, due to plant pollination.
If allergies have been determined to be the culprit, there are many treatments available to deal with those miserable symptoms. Medications can be acquired in pill, eye drop, and nasal spray form, providing a wide range of options to treat allergy symptoms. The option to purchase allergy medications online makes it even easier to treat allergies. Going beyond medication treatments, allergy tests can be given by doctors/allergists to determine the allergy-causing agent. With the many options available to allergy sufferers, it is important to talk with a doctor to determine the best course of action to treat your allergies.
