What's the difference between a cold and allergies?

Question

How can you differentiate the two?

Answer 1

Difficult to tell the difference since the symptoms are very similar. However, a cold is caused by a virus or bacteria and is often accompanied by a runny nose. Now the trick is to look at the snot. If it's greenish or yellow, it's likely a cold, because this is your body's way of getting rid of the bacteria. If it is white, or clear, likely allergies. I know it is gross, but it's a good trick!

Allergies are usually caused by being exposed to an irritant like pollen or animals. If you have recently been around irritants, and it happens every time you are around the same irritants you can assume it may be allergies. Also, if your symptoms are relieved by anti histamines, it is likely allergies.

Answer 2

A 'cold' is caused by a virus, allergies are a reaction to allergens in your environment, ie dust, dander, mold, mildew, pollen, etc.
- It can be difficult to distinguish between the two because the symptoms are so similar. However, you will usually heal from a cold within 7 days tops. Allergy symptoms go on and on and on ... depending on the allergen triggers. It's a good guess that it's not just a cold if it lasts more than 7 days . . .
- Hope this helps. :-)

Answer 3

An allergic sinus reaction can be identical to a cold in symptoms. The main way to tell is that the symptoms don't clear up in seven days or less. What seem to be frequent colds can actually be rhinitis (hayfever). If you suspect allergies, see an allergist because there can be any number of causes from dust mites, pet dander, dust, mold, food, to metals, wool, and on and on.

When you are allergic, your body cannot tolerate the proteins in certain substances. Your immune system kicks in and causes your body to produce histimines. Antihistimines counteract allergy symptoms.

Answer 4

When I get a cold it usually starts w/ a sore, scratchy throat...That's how I differentiate the two...No sore throat w/ allergies. And my allergies are gone within 2 or 3 days.

Answer 5

Well..If you get a cold, your allergies get worse..it's kinda hard to tell but if you have post nasal drip all the time, you won't know the difference between a cold and allergies..why don't you just take some antihistamine?

Answer 6

If you have a fever, it's a cold.
If you're draining clear fluid out of every facial orifice and sneezing constantly, it's allergies.

Colds will run their course in about a week and they can happen at any time.

Allergies require a specific trigger (animal dander, dust mites, pollen, etc.). If you're always sick every spring - it's likely allergies.

The only definitive test is an allergy test done by your dr.
The color of your snot only indicates how long it's been hanging around your respiratory tract before being expelled.

Answer 7

Generally, if you get cold symptoms at the same time every year, it's allergies. You really won't be able to know the difference unless they recur each year at the same time, or if you go to see a doctor.

Answer 8

allergy is usually SEASONAL, & recure more frequently.
having fever points more toward cold ( but it may happen in allergy, though uncommon).
having lymph gland enlargement points toward cold.
also if there is any body infected nearby, this may tell you that you got the infection too.
blood test can differentiate as in allergy there is increase in EOSINOPHILE cells, but in cold you may have increase NEUTROPHILES & LYMPHOCYTES.
I HOPE THIS HELPED.

Answer 9

a cold is a virus, allergies are caused by something in the air or touched that causes an reaction of histamines that cause swelling, sneezing, itchy eyes &/or throut