Spring brings showers, flowers and…sniffles. Coughing, sneezing and congestion can all be symptoms of allergies or the common cold, but determining which one it is can sometimes be tricky.
Sylvia Vargas, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CNEcl, clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M University College of Nursing, says understanding the differences between allergy symptoms and cold symptoms can help determine the treatment you need.
Petals and pollen
“Many people refer to seasonal allergies as hay fever or allergic rhinitis,” Vargas said. “It typically occurs in the spring, roughly from February to early summer, and is commonly caused by tree pollen and grass pollen.”
Allergies can develop at any time, she said. And just because you were allergy-free last year does not mean you will be this year.
Luckily, seasonal allergies are simple to diagnose, mainly because of the lack of certain symptoms commonly found with a cold.
“Allergies will not give you a fever,” Vargas said. “The biggest sign you have seasonal allergies is itchiness and irritation around the nose or eyes, but the symptoms should be present only as long as the allergens remain in the environment.”
Common seasonal allergy symptoms include sneezing; runny, itchy nose; red, watery and itchy eyes; head, chest or nasal congestion; and coughing.
Though less common, seasonal allergies can also sometimes cause skin irritation like a rash or hives.
“Allergic rashes are caused by allergens coming in direct contact with your skin,” Vargas said. “So, if you are breathing in pollen or even touching pollen on your car, then seasonal allergies can absolutely cause a rash or hives.”
Some may also experience nausea as an uncommon symptom of allergies, she said. Because allergies lead to sinus congestion, the resulting congestion in the inner ear can cause feelings of dizziness or nausea. Certain allergy medications may also cause nausea.
Little sprouts
Babies and toddlers can develop allergies, too, since they can emerge at any age. However, Vargas said infants are less likely to develop seasonal allergies because they are typically not exposed to sufficient environmental allergens and are kept indoors, away from many environmental allergy triggers.
Genetics play a significant role in the development of seasonal allergies.
Research from 2001 found that 12% of children with no family history of allergies will develop seasonal allergies. If one parent has allergies, the incidence rate of allergies rises to 30% to 50%, but if both parents suffer from allergies, then the chances are 60% to 80%.
If your child is suffering from allergies, Vargas recommended asking your primary care provider or pharmacist which over-the-counter medications are safe for young children.
Under the weather
There are many different viruses that can lead to a common cold, and while there is no cure, plenty of at-home treatments are available, Vargas said. The best thing you can do for the common cold is treat your symptoms with over-the-counter medication, drink fluids and get plenty of rest.
“The common cold is complicated to treat and can’t be cured, but rest and nutrition seem to be the best approach,” Vargas said. “You can take medications to treat the symptoms and make yourself more comfortable.”
A cold can have a variety of symptoms, but the most common include mild fatigue, fever, cough, sore throat, congestion, runny nose or sneezing, watery eyes or nose, and congestion of the head, chest or nasal passages.
A cold usually goes away within a week and typically doesn’t warrant a trip to your health care provider. If you’re still feeling bad after a week or your symptoms are severe, Vargas said it could be time to speak to a provider. If you have an underlying chronic condition like asthma, be sure to monitor your symptoms and seek help immediately if your condition worsens.
Pollen or pathogen?
According to Vargas, the primary difference between seasonal allergies and a cold is that a cold often manifests with a fever, and allergies do not, while seasonal allergies often manifest with itchy or irritated eyes and noses, and colds do not.
Many people think the long length of their symptoms suggest allergies over a cold, but this is not necessarily the case.
“A cold can be very tricky because some of the symptoms may linger,” Vargas said. “Sometimes your cold may be gone, but your cough could persist for another month.”
Seasonal allergies usually last the duration that the pollen or allergen is around, which is usually the entire season. If a cough remaining from a cold lasts for weeks, then the symptoms can get confusing.
To determine which condition you should begin to treat, Vargas suggested asking yourself a couple of questions:
- Do you have a fever? If yes, then you most likely have a cold or other virus.
- Do you have itchy eyes and nose? If yes, then you most likely have allergies.
Untreated allergies can set up the perfect warm, moist environment for a virus or bacteria to swoop in and cause a cold or bacterial infection, so it is possible to simultaneously suffer from a cold and seasonal allergies. If you are confused or unsure of your symptoms, call your primary care provider for more guidance.
Blossom back to health
Both the common cold and seasonal allergies can be treated with over-the-counter medications, such as antihistamines or decongestants. Be sure to use the medications as directed and contact your primary care provider or pharmacist to make sure you are not double dosing with medications that may interact or contain the same ingredients.
If you are giving children allergy or cold medication, confirm with your provider or pharmacist that the allergy medication is safe for children and closely follow the dosage instructions.
“If you think you might have a cold, then avoid spreading the germs to others. Colds are contagious,” Vargas added. “You should stay home until you’ve been fever free for 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medication.”
If your nasal congestion becomes overwhelming, rinsing your sinuses with a nasal irrigation pot can help remove allergens and prevent infection in your sinuses, she said.
“Nasal irrigation systems can work to help prevent infection in your sinuses,” Vargas said. “When rinsing your sinuses or nasal passages, use store-bought distilled or sterilized water, or tap or faucet water that’s been boiled and cooled, per CDC guidelines.”
Be sure to seek medical attention if your fever does not go away, if you have trouble breathing or keeping food and fluids down. Although complications are rare, they are a possibility and should be caught early.
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