The Difference between Allergy and Cold Symptoms

Quite a few cold and allergy symptoms are alike, but there are just as many indicators to help you decide what you or your child may be suffering from, and then the appropriate treatment can be started. While colds and allergies can both cause runny noses with clear fluid, if it is a cold, the fluid will change from clear to yellowish or greenish and become thicker. There is usually a progression from “runny” to “stuffy” with a cold, while allergy sniffles usually continue with “itchiness.” Some children even develop a little line across their noses from constantly trying to relieve the itchiness by rubbing their noses.

Both allergies and colds can affect the eyes, but dark, under eye circles usually appear with allergies. These are sometimes called “allergic shiners” and don’t often come with a cold. If your child consistently has dark circles, even after a lot of rest, it’s probably allergies. Another big difference is that a cold can bring upon aches and pains and a fever, but that is not the case with allergies.

The weather is also a good indicator of colds or allergies. These days most weather forecasts include a pollen count. If your child’s symptoms are worse on high pollen count days or windy days, or get better after the rain washes the pollen away, it’s probably allergies. On the other hand, if there is no change during weather changes or after playing outside, it’s probably a cold.

Other family members usually catch a cold, but allergies aren’t contagious. If nothing is going around school or your home, it’s probably allergies. Remember, though, other family members can have the same symptoms due to having the same allergies. With a cold, though, you usually can see the different stages. Also, colds usually have a course of about 10 to 14 days, whereas allergies can last a whole season, or longer. If you or your child has the same symptoms year to year, it’s probably allergies.

It is important to know the difference between a cold and allergy so you can treat appropriately. With a cold the best treatments are usually decongestants, but with allergies, antihistamines work better. Since colds are contagious, you want to keep your child in during the contagious period, but though allergies are uncomfortable, they are not catching. They can both lead to sinus or ear infections, so it’s a good idea to treat before symptoms get that bad.