Cold Or Allergy? Here’s How To Tell The Difference
Those annoying symptoms are popping up as fast as peonies in a garden. It’s Spring in New England and everything is blooming. But so are our bloomin’ sniffles, coughing and headaches. Is it a cold or allergy? Find out how to tell the difference, here.
I woke up yesterday morning concerned. My throat hurt, my throat tickled and I felt run down. Then, last night came the coughing. The question kept going through my mind… Is it a cold or allergy? And how can I tell. If it’s a cold, I obviously need to distance myself from others. But allergies are transmissible. Just annoying.
Cold Or Allergy- You Are NOT Alone
The only comfort of dealing with symptoms is knowing you are not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1 in 4 of us suffer from a seasonal allergy. That’s about 1/4 of the population.
It’s also a popular time of year for colds. Notice how many co-workers have complained of having a cold. Maybe because we are venturing out to events, restaurants and gatherings more this time of year.
Breaking Down The Symptoms To Tell The Difference
The Mayo Clinic reports that you decipher between a cold and a seasonal allergy by “key symptoms and how regularly symptoms appear.” What makes it difficult is that a few symptoms overlap. For instance, both allergies and colds usually come with a runny or stuffy nose, and sneezing.
Hey, we aren’t doctors, but we are expert Googlers. It’s best to talk to your doctor, of course. But in the meantime, the Mayo Clinic has a handy dandy guide to help us.
The Clinic reveals that colds are caused by viruses. The symptoms are just your immune system’s response to that. Cold symptoms usually last 3-10 day, but a cough can linger for weeks. Conversely, they report that seasonal allergies are the result of your immune system reacting to allergens in the air, like pollen. Expect allergies to hang around for a few weeks.
SYMPTOM CHECK LIST: Cold or Allergy?
Direct from the esteemed Mayo Clinic, here’s your handy dandy guide:
| Symptom | Cold | Allergy |
| Fever | Sometimes | Never |
| Itchy eyes | Rarely | Usually |
| Sore throat | Usually | Rarely |
| Sneezing | Usually | Usually |
| Tiredness | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Runny nose | Usually | Usually |
| Stuffy nose | Usually | Usually |
| Cough | Usually | Sometimes |
