Is It An Allergy Or A Cold
Its winter and cold season is in full swing. But since colds and allergies share many of the same symptoms, it can be hard to tell if youre coming down with something or suffering from allergies. Here are ways to help tell some of the differences between allergies and a cold, so you can find the right relief for your symptoms.
How Is It Diagnosed
See your doctor if youre experiencing what appears to be cold urticaria with exposure to the cold for the first time.
This will allow your doctor to diagnose your symptoms. There are some conditions that have similar symptoms. Its important to rule those out.
Seek medical care immediately if your symptoms are severe.
During your doctors visit, be prepared to discuss your symptoms and health history. Your doctor will also do a physical exam.
They may also perform an ice cube challenge test to observe your bodys reaction to cold temperatures.
During this test, the doctor will apply an ice cube in a plastic bag to your body for a few minutes and then see if hives or other symptoms occur.
Your skin may not immediately react to this test if you inherited the condition. Symptoms of inherited CU may take at least 20 or even 30 minutes to appear.
Your doctor may also order blood tests to determine or rule out underlying causes of your symptoms.
A proper diagnosis for CU is necessary because other conditions may cause similar symptoms.
How Can I Tell If Its Allergies Or A Cold
Allergies and colds may be caused by two different sources, but their symptoms are suspiciously similar. If youre still wondering if its a cold or allergies, this handy cheat-sheet may help you tell the difference.
You may have a cold if:
- Symptoms last all day long and are worse at morning and night
- You begin to feel better after seven to 10 days
- Your symptoms include fatigue, body aches, fever and a sore throat
You may have allergies if:
- Symptoms include itchy eyes, rashes or wheezing
- Symptoms last longer than 10 days
- Symptoms worsen during certain times of year, after being outside or when leaving windows open
- You notice allergy shiners
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Do You Have A Cold Or Allergies
WebMD Feature
Reviewed By Carol DerSarkissian, MD
Do you know how to tell the difference between a cold and allergies? Are you sure?
It’s easy to get them confused. Just ask Paul Ehrlich, MD, a professor of pediatrics at New York University. He’d been an allergist for years when he came down with what he thought was a cold. “I’d had a watery, runny nose for several days when one of my patients took a look at me and said, ‘Oh, you have allergies, too!'” Ehrlich says.
He’d never had allergies before, but a checkup with another doctor confirmed that the patient was right. “Turns out I was allergic to birch trees, which were in bloom at the time,” he says.
A cold is an infection caused by a virus. Allergies are your immune system’s reaction to a substance like pollen or pet dander. Because the two conditions cause similar symptoms, like sniffles and stuffiness, many people get them mixed up. Knowing which is which can help you get the right treatment, and that will help you feel better faster.
When Do Seasonal Allergies Appear
Even though its possible to experience allergy symptoms all year round, seasonal allergies mostly happen during certain times of the year, usually, when outdoor molds release their spores, and trees, grasses, and weeds release tiny pollen particles into the air to fertilize other plants. Different plants emit their pollen at different times of the year. Depending on your allergy triggers and where you live, you may experience allergy symptoms during more than one season. Summer allergies sometimes can turn into a fall allergy. But, if you usually develop a cold at the same time every year, seasonal allergies might be to blame.
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What Do I Do If I Test Positive For Covid
If the COVID test comes back positive, call the doctor right away, especially if you’re considered high-risk.
Herbert recommended treatments for COVID symptoms, such as Paxlovid or other oral antiviral medications.
Many treatments require doctor’s approval and medication history, he said, to insure the treatment doesn’t negatively interact with other medication you might be taking.
It’s important to follow guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after testing positive, the doctors said. This includes isolating for five days and wearing a high-quality mask for five additional days when leaving the home or interacting with others.
“You have to wear them properly, obviously covering your nose, your mouth and your chin,” Gastaldo said. “But we really want people, when a mask is worn, to wear the highest-quality masks that they can.”
KN95 and N95 are the highest quality and most effective at stopping the spread of COVID-19 when worn properly, he said. The standard surgical loop masks, typically worn by doctors, are OK. Masks made of cloth or fabric do a worse job of containing COVID-19 particles.
Tips To Ease Symptoms
Here are a few tips provided by National Jewish Health to help ease your symptoms so that you can better enjoy the spring season.
- If going outside on windy days, cover your mouth with a scarf or an allergen mask.
- Keep home and car windows closed to help keep pollen out. Refrain from using fans inside the home, which can push pollen through the air.
- After being outside, shower and change your clothing.
- When cleaning, make sure the area is well ventilated and use caution with cleaning products.
- Avoid being outside when pesticides and fertilizers are applied to lawns, trees, or shrubs in your neighborhood.
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How Do I Order At
At-home test kits can be ordered and shipped for free online at covid.gov/tests, and local testing locations can be found through the Ohio Department of Health website at coronavirus.ohio.gov/testing-and-treatment.
If a test is negative but your symptoms persist, you should continue to isolate and test over the next few days, said Dr. Mark Herbert, infectious disease specialist at Mount Carmel Medical Group.
“If you know that there are people around you that seem sick then you should avoid settings,” Herbert said. “Similarly, if you are feeling sick, you should not go around other people until you’re feeling better or you know for sure that you don’t have COVID.”
Do You Have A Cold The Flu Or Allergies
The above table details the symptom differences between all three conditions.
The common symptoms of a cold, flu and allergies are a stuffy or a runny nose, sneezing, a sore throat, a cough, a headache, or even fatigue. Two differing symptoms are a fever or aches/pain, these would not be caused by allergies, but could be due to a cold or the flu. Symptoms of the flu are often more severe than a cold.
While the symptoms are similar, the origin of the conditions are different. A cold and the flu are both caused by different viruses, whereas allergies are caused by your immune system reacting to a trigger. Common inhalant allergy triggers are pollen, dust, mold, pet dander.
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Allergies Dont Cause Fevers
Unlike the term hay fever, allergies typically dont cause fevers. Colds are much more likely to elevate your body temperature or cause a fever than allergies. However, you could have an allergy flare-up at the same time youre developing an infection.
Allergies dont cause infection but due to the inflammation, swelling and mucus that allergies can cause, this can cause mucus to get trapped in the sinuses and cause bacteria and viruses to grow, Dr. Pero said. This can result in sinus infections.
Are People With Seasonal Allergies More Susceptible To Colds
There is no evidence that people with seasonal allergies are more prone to colds. While people with compromised immune systems are at higher risk of catching a cold, people with allergies dont have a compromised immune system their allergies are just an overreaction of the immune system. That said, people with some degree of asthma tend to be in a higher-risk group for viral infections. So this is a good time to review the way you are managing your allergies and asthma, if you have it, as well as making sure you take care of your health and boost your immune system, so it would fight back during these worrisome times.
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Allergies Do Not Cause Fevers
People often wonder if allergies can cause a fever. The answer is no. Allergies cannot cause a fever, though you could have an allergy flare-up at the same time youre experiencing a fever from an infection. For example, since allergies tend to cause stuffy noses, theyre also considered risk factors for sinus infections. Sinus infections happen when mucus gets trapped in the sinuses, allowing bacteria or viruses to grow.
With a cold, your temperature can run warmer, but typically it will be less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
How To Treat Seasonal Allergies
Many treatments for seasonal allergies are safe and accessible without a prescription, including over-the-counter decongestants, antihistamine pills, steroid nasal sprays and sinus irrigations, Dr. Hur says.
Head off the symptoms of seasonal allergies, by starting your medicine in advance of pollen season for best results. Keep your doors and windows closed on high pollen count days, and if you have air conditioning, use it. If you must go outside, wear a hat and sunglasses to minimize pollen getting into your eyes, then change your clothes when you get inside.
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Multiple Allergens May Be The Culprit
If you start getting stuffy, congested, or experience a runny nose or any other uncomfortable common symptom, and youre not sure if youre dealing with a cold or allergies its time to do some investigative work.
Ask yourself whether you’ve been exposed to any allergens. Remember, these can be indoor allergens as well.
Even when hay fever is most common, seasonal allergens may not be the only trigger.
You may have allergies to dust and pet dander. Perhaps youve starting using a new cleaning product, or are wearing a new perfume. If you have any sensitivities to these things, and you combine them with seasonal allergens, you can reach system threshold.
System threshhold is when youre exposed to multiple substances youre allergic to, and they add up!
Start With Some Home Remedies For Cold And Allergy Symptoms
When you start feeling icky, some simple home remedies can provide temporary relief. For starters, try to get more rest. Both allergies and colds can cause tiredness, so listen to your body and take it easy.
Also, take advantage of saltwater to soothe irritated nasal passages and scratchy or sore throats.
For your nose, use a neti pot. A neti pot can be picked up at any local drugstore or online, and typically comes with packets to mix with warm, distilled water to create a saltwater solution to pour through your nasal passages.
For your throat, simply mix a quarter or half teaspoon of table salt into an 8-ounce glass of warm water. Take a sip and gargle for a few seconds like you would with mouthwash. Then spit and repeat until the solution is gone. You can do this a couple times a day.
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Are There Cold Symptoms That Are Never Caused By Allergies
Yes! Check your temperature. While some colds never cause a fever, if you do have a high temperature, its definitely not allergies. Seasonal allergies dont cause fevers because your body isn’t fighting an actual infection, only over-reacting to a benign intruder.
If you have a fever, you’re dealing with a virus or infection rather than an allergy, so antihistamine medications don’t help. Cold medicines and anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and acetaminophen are your best bet. Also, it’s always a good idea to rest and avoid contact with others so you don’t spread the virus. Fevers almost always indicate that you’re contagious. When you’re sick, don’t go out and put others at risk. Stay home until symptoms are gone.
If your temperature is higher than 101 degrees and doesn’t go down, check with your doctor as soon as possible. A fever of 104 degrees or higher requires immediate emergency medical attention.
Differences: Are These Symptoms From Allergies Or A Cold
The Mayo Clinic suggests common colds are caused by viruses, while seasonal allergies are an immune system response from exposure to allergens. These allergens include types of pollen from trees or grass.
Coughing is usually a symptom of the cold virus, but is sometimes a symptom of allergies. General aches and pains as well as a fever are sometimes symptoms of a cold and are not common seasonal allergy symptoms. A sore throat is rarely associated with allergies, but is typically a symptom of a cold.
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How To Treat Allergies And A Cold
Allergies are caused by your body’s immune system responding to a commonplace trigger, like pollen or cat dander. To fight off the trigger, your immune system releases chemicals called histamines that cause an allergic reaction.
To treat allergies, you’ll need to either avoid the trigger altogether or take medications, like antihistamines, to counteract your immune system’s response. Antihistamines help by blocking the effect of histamines, hence the term antihistamine. This, in turn, helps relieve your symptoms.
“Some people need to stay on antihistamines long term if they have year-round allergies,” Arthur adds.
A cold is caused by a virus. There’s no cure that can treat the virus, but there are medications that can relieve your symptoms. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help alleviate pain and reduce your fever, while decongestants will reduce congestion. Get rest and drink a lot of fluids.
When Did You Begin To Feel Unwell
If you remember being around someone who had an upper respiratory infection a few days before you started feeling ill, you may have caught a viral infection. Viruses are spread by contact with sneezes, coughs, and contaminated surfaces such as door handles. Allergies, on the other hand, can begin immediately after coming in contact with triggers such as pollen. If you think you might be experiencing a seasonal allergy, check the pollen count in your area if levels are high, allergies may be the culprit.
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If You Think You Have Allergies Get Tested
If you think you have an allergy, you can get tested with a skin or blood test, Dr. Hur says.
The allergist will do a blood test and/or prick your skin with different substances that may be allergens and note how your body reacts.
Once your doctor has confirmed the allergy, you may be directed to take antihistamines or be given prescription medication. If you have hay fever , allergy shots may desensitize you to it.
Whether you have a cold or an allergy, knowing which is which will help you treat it appropriately and relieve your symptoms more quickly.
Talk With A Doctor Or Clinician To Create A Personalized Treatment Plan
If you arent sure if its a cold or allergies, or if your symptoms are severe or long-lasting, its best to connect with a care provider to get an official diagnosis and treatment plan.
If your allergy symptoms are left untreated, you could become more prone to getting sinus infections or other upper respiratory infections, or they may lead to poor asthma control.
Also, a common cold can turn severe. So if your cold has had you laid up longer than a day or two, get in touch with your doctor.
You have a couple options:
Make an appointment for face-to-face care from a primary care doctor or clinician. Whether you choose a video visit or in-person appointment, your doctor will listen to your symptoms, answer questions and work with you to create a tailored treatment plan including connecting you with an allergist or an otolaryngologist if needed.
Start a virtual visit anytime, anyplace through Virtuwell. With Virtuwell, no appointment is necessary and treatment is available 24/7. Getting started is easy. Well ask you a few questions, and youll get your diagnosis and treatment plan from a board-certified nurse practitioner. Each visit is just $59 or less, depending on your insurance.
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Covid Vs Allergies: Which Is It
The worldwide pandemic has been difficult for everyone, and allergy sufferers have faced their own set of problems. Many allergy sufferers have had to conceal their pollen-induced sneezes and coughs so as not to frighten others as a result of COVID-19. Though it’s likely you’ve been dealing with allergy symptoms for years, COVID has created a new level of uncertainty. It’s easy to worry whether your runny nose and cough are your normal seasonal allergies or something more serious.
While COVID and seasonal allergies have some symptoms in common, there are several ways to tell them apart.
- Get tested. The best way to know if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 is to get tested. Many locations provide testing, and results are available in as little as a few hours.
- Check your temperature. A fever isn’t an allergy symptom, and it isn’t always a cold symptom. A variety of viruses and illnesses can cause fevers, especially COVID.
- Don’t ignore aches and pains. COVID symptoms include headaches, body aches , tiredness, and loss of taste and smell. These symptoms are not generally caused by allergies.
For more detailed information about COVID-19, please visit the Center for Disease Control online.
