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Cold or allergies?

9 questions to help you tell the difference

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During cold and flu season, it’s a safe bet that if you’re feeling under the weather with aches, congestion and a runny nose, you’re probably coming down with a cold. On the other hand, if every little breeze seems to carry a sneeze, along with itchy, watery eyes, seasonal allergies could be the culprit! These questions can help you figure out what it is that ails you.

  1. Is your mucus clear and watery?

    Gross warning! In the beginning, both colds and allergies will probably give you a clear mucus. But as time goes on, if you have a cold, that’s going to change to a more yellow discharge. Lucky you. And your cold is officially busted!1

  2. Is your cough wet or dry?

    If you’re coughing up mucus, you probably have a cold and what’s called a wet cough. Allergies can give you a cough, but it’s usually the result of a sinus drip causing mild irritation in the throat, which gives you a dry cough.1

  3. Are your eyes itchy and watery?

    While your nose and throat might feel itchy with a cold, itchy, watery eyes and sinus twinges are the classic telltale signs of allergies.1

  4. Do your symptoms last?

    Often after about 5 days or a week with a cold, you’ll start to feel better. However, with seasonal or subject-related allergies, the misery of itchy, watery eyes and nasal drip can last as long as the allergen is present – whether it’s pollen, dust or even family pets.2

  5. Do you notice a pattern?

    Do you find yourself or your family member always seeming to get a nasty cold around the same time of year? Maybe it’s not a cold, maybe it’s allergies. Some tree pollens shed in February. Molds are a common allergy during spring rains. Other allergies like hay fever happen in the summer.2

  6. Did you spike a temperature?

    Colds, and in some cases the flu, are much more likely to cause a temperature than allergies, which just make you feel like a human faucet.1

  7. Do you feel like you can’t get out of bed?

    Allergies can make you feel tired and run down by making it more difficult to sleep. However, a doozy of a cold can give you aches and pains that knock you off your feet. If you’ve got a cold, bed is where you should be.1

  8. Did your symptoms start suddenly?

    If your symptoms began gradually over a period of days and then worsened, chances are good you are coming down with a cold. Allergies, on the other hand, can start and become severe almost immediately.1

  9. Were you recently around someone who was sick?

    Allergies are not contagious. But if you recently came into contact with someone who had a cold and you are now feeling ill, chances are you got what they had.

Treating a cold vs. allergies

In both cases, eat well. Increasing your fluid intake can help relieve congestion. Also, you may want to cut out dairy products temporarily as they can aid mucus production.3

With a cold, stay home and in bed to avoid infecting others. Over-the-counter oral decongestants and nasal sprays can help alleviate symptoms, and for body aches and pains or fever, acetaminophen or aspirin can help. If a cold lasts too long, see your doctor. You may require prescription medication or tests.

For allergies, antihistamines and decongestants are the front line of symptom relief, along with nasal sprays which can help you breathe easier and relieve inflammation. Devices which help rinse your nasal passages with a saline solution are a quick and inexpensive way to help flush mucus and allergens from your nasal passages and relieve congestion.4

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