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A runny or stuffy nose and non-stop sneezing can leave you feeling tired and miserable, but are the symptoms from a cold or are they allergies taking their toll? Finding out whether your symptoms are caused by a an allergy or a cold is the first step to finding relief, according to allergist members of American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).  

The Differences between Colds and Allergies

Colds are contagious and are colds can be caused by one of more than 200 viruses. You can’t catch allergies, which are triggered by allergens, prompting your immune system to overreact. There are many possible allergens, from pollen to pet dander. And while spring sneezing might be due to a cold, high levels of tree and grass pollens and mold spores cause misery at this time of year for the 60 million Americans who suffer from allergic rhinitis, often called hay fever.

So how can you tell whether it’s a spring cold or spring allergies? Here are some general guidelines:

• How does the suffering start?: Colds evolve, usually starting with a throat irritation, stuffy nose, and low grade fever. Next comes the runny nose, with thickening mucus that often turns yellow or green, and sneezing. Common allergy symptoms include itchy eyes and itchy nose, as well as sneezing, but with allergies the mucus is typically clear.
• Give me fever?: If you’re achy and feverish, you most likely have a cold.
• Can’t shake your symptoms?: Colds usually run their course after one or two weeks. “Allergy symptoms, hang on or even increase as long as you are exposed to the allergen that is triggering your symptoms,” said allergist Dr. Myron Zitt, past president of ACAAI. “For spring allergies that may mean six weeks or more.”
• Do your eyes have it?: Itchy eyes strongly suggest allergies, although eye discomfort can occur with a cold, too.
• Say ahhh?: Although a sore throat and cough can occur with allergies, a sore throat and cough more likely suggest you have a cold. Coughing, however, can also be a sign of asthma, especially in children. A persistent cough should be evaluated by an allergist as other diseases can also cause persistent coughing.