Is it a Cold or an Allergy?
When you're sneezing and your nose is running, it's not always easy to tell whether you have a cold or an allergy. That's too bad, because the treatments that work for one don't always work for the other. Luckily, your symptoms and other clues can help you tell the difference.
Colds are infections of your respiratory system - your nose, throat, and lungs. They are caused by viruses that get carried in spit and mucus droplets, and they are very contagious. If someone with a cold sneezes on a surface you touch and you then touch your nose or mouth, you can catch the cold. That's why it's so important to wash your hands regularly to prevent infection.
Seasonal allergies are caused by something in the environment that irritates your respiratory system. Allergies are not contagious, but you can prevent or lessen them by avoiding their cause. Most respiratory allergies are caused by pollen, mold, animal dander, or dust mites (tiny insects that live in dust).
| Symptoms | Cold | Respiratory Allergy |
|---|---|---|
| Source: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases | ||
| Cough | Common | Sometimes |
| Aches and Pains | Slight | Never |
| Fatigue or Weakness | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Itchy Eyes | Rare or Never | Common |
| Sneezing | Usual | Usual |
| Sore Throat | Common | Sometimes |
| Runny Nose | Common | Common |
| Stuffy Nose | Common | Common |
| Fever | Rare | Never |
Symptoms Hold Clues
Allergy and cold symptoms are often similar, but they do have some differences. The table to the right lists the symptoms of both and tells you how common they are for each condition. Do you have symptoms that are common with allergies but rare with colds? If so, you may have an allergy rather than a cold.
If you have symptoms at the same time every year, that can be another clue that you are dealing with an allergy. Colds can happen at any time. But seasonal allergies are triggered by things that are present only during certain times of the year. For example, some people are allergic to trees, but only when they flower in the spring. Others may be allergic to grasses, but only in the fall, when the grasses are making pollen.
How long you have symptoms is one more factor to consider. Colds usually last from 3 to 14 days. Respiratory allergies, on the other hand, may last for several weeks.
Starve an Allergy, Feed a Cold?
Over-the-counter medicines such as antihistamines and nasal decongestants can improve both cold and allergy symptoms. However nasal decongestant sprays can be habit-forming. If you use them for too long, they can actually increase nasal congestion.
Other treatments for allergy symptoms include prescription nasal steroids and over-the-counter decongestant eye drops that contain tetrahydrozoline or naphazoline.
A LifeSteps Health Coach Can Help
If you have a cold or an allergy and aren't sure whether to see your doctor, call a Health Coach. Health Coaches are specially trained healthcare professionals, such as nurses, dietitians, and respiratory therapists. They are available by phone, anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at no charge to you.
To talk to a Health Coach, call 1-877-LIFE-123 (1-877-543-3123). You can also get information online at LifeSteps Online from MyStandard at work or www.asdlifesteps.com from wherever you have Internet access.
Personal health information provided to a LifeSteps health coach is protected by federal and state privacy laws and will not be disclosed to American Standard Companies except as authorized by law for administration of the company’s group health plans.