Allergy vs. Cold: What’s the Difference?

Suffering from a perpetual cold over the winter season? If it cannot be treated by traditional cold remedies, it might not be what you initially thought it was. You could be suffering from allergies instead of a cold.

Available information about allergies indicates many similarities to the common cold, particularly in terms of their symptoms. Both conditions are characterized by exhaustion, runny nose, and even a sore throat. However, the two aren’t one and the same, and they require different treatments.

Read on to learn more about what allergies and colds really are and how they differ based on various factors, ranging from their causes to the treatment.

Understanding Allergies and Colds

An allergy is the result of your immune system’s reaction to foreign substances called “allergens” that don’t have any negative effects on most people.

The effects of allergens on the human body range from itchy skin rashes to a stuffy or runny nose, depending on the cause. Allergens like food and medicine may incite swelling and rashes while those caused by pollen, dust, pets, and molds cause an array of symptoms that are similar to common colds.

Colds, on the other hand, are caused by many types of viruses. While different cases vary in severity and symptoms, this medical condition shares a common set of basic characteristics.

A perfectly healthy person can acquire common colds, but allergies can be triggered so long as you are exposed to the allergen.

Colds vs. Allergies: 5 Key Differences

Proper diagnosis is the key to the effective treatment of any condition. The same is true for colds and allergies. Here are five differences between the two ailments you should look at to help you choose the right treatment method and prevent your condition from getting worse:

1.    Transmission

Anyone can catch a cold at any given time. And since a cold is viral, it can be transmitted through droplets that disperse in the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Allergies cannot be transmitted in the same way; a study on allergen sensitization showed evidence that both environmental and genetic factors contribute to the presence of the condition.

2.    Symptoms

As mentioned earlier, colds and allergies manifest similar symptoms. However, these vary in terms of consistency and frequency, among others.

Consistency-wise, allergies have the same set of symptoms from its onset through the entire duration of the condition. On top of that, there are certain symptoms that are unique to each condition, like a fever for colds and itchy eyes for allergies.

In terms of frequency, colds often occur during the latter part of the autumn season and through the duration of winter. On the other hand, allergies can show up at any time of the year as long as the allergen that triggers it is present. This can be tricky to determine as people who are allergic to pollen may experience sniffles every fall or spring.

To determine whether your symptoms are caused by allergies, you can:

• Check if your allergy acts up when you’re in a specific place
• Determine factors that change in the environment whenever you experience the symptoms (e.g., the presence of a pet)
• See if your mucus stays clear or watery throughout the course of the condition
• Monitor whether your sniffles last for two weeks as colds often clear up between seven and 10 days

3.    Duration

The duration of the symptoms is also a major determining factor when diagnosing your sniffles. Colds develop over a couple of days but rarely last for two weeks or more. Meanwhile, allergies start immediately after you become exposed to an allergen and will linger so long as you are exposed to the substances that triggered it in the first place.

Taking that into consideration, it is safe to say that your diagnosis is an allergic reaction if your sniffles last for extended periods and at a specific time of the year.

4.    Prevention

Because they have different causes, colds and allergies also have different prevention methods.

Since colds are caused by viruses, you can protect yourself from exposure to them by covering your mouth and nose when in the presence of an infected patient.

For allergies, prevention lies in the elimination of the allergen in the environment. For example, allergies related to animal fur can be prevented by removing the pet in question from the spaces you frequent.

5.    Treatment and Management

As with prevention, treating colds and allergies can be quite different as well.

For common colds, you need to stay hydrated, take plenty of rest, and let your immune system get rid of the virus in your body. You also have the option to alleviate symptoms by using an over-the-counter saline spray and sipping warm tea or soup for stuffy nose, adding moisture in the air for congestion, and taking fever medication when needed.

Meanwhile, allergies can be eased by taking certain medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, and corticosteroids. You can also use mast cell stabilizers, but be sure to consult your physician first.

Quick Roundup

Colds and allergies are often interchanged, especially when a patient doesn’t understand the difference between the two. That said, the best way to prevent allergies and colds is to get the proper diagnosis. Use this article as a guide to correctly identify the condition you are experiencing, and consult a licensed physician.