When it comes to colds, the symptoms are typically easy to pinpoint. However, if you are experiencing a recurring cold around the same time, you might have seasonal allergies. Understanding the difference between allergies and symptoms of a cold is crucial to determining what is going on in your body and how to treat it effectively. In this blog, we will explain the distinctive factors of the two and help you navigate your symptoms.
- Causes:
- Common Cold: An airborne virus that spreads through physical contact from person to person is how a cold comes around. That is why several people from the same family are known for contracting the same sickness.
- Allergies: Allergies happen when the body produces a protein or antibody to combat an unknown substance entering the body.
Common allergy triggers: Hay, pollen, molds, dust mites, food, or certain medications.
- Symptoms Timeline:
- Common Cold: Colds usually subside after a couple of weeks.
- Allergies: Symptoms of allergies can come out of nowhere when exposed to allergens. They tend to last for a couple of months or when the season they occur in is over.
- The Difference in Symptoms:
- Common Cold: Sometimes, it can include a mild fever and is rarely severe. A sore throat, cough, congestion, sneezing, and sometimes body aches and fatigue are all typically experienced symptoms.
- Allergies: Redness, itchiness, and watery eyes are familiar with allergies. Similarly, cold, mild fatigue, and a runny nose are prevalent. Suppose an individual has a fever around the time. In that case, they experience allergies, which are due to an infection or other sickness along with allergies.
- Color of Nasal Discharge
- Common Cold: Clear nasal discharge is produced in most cases. However, if the cold becomes a sinus infection, the color will turn yellow or green. A sinus infection occurs from bacteria and will need to be treated appropriately.
- Allergies: The color remains a consistently pure color.
A cold and allergy symptoms can have shared overlapping symptoms, but they are both different. Knowing the impact of each can help you approach the best treatment method and better understand what the body is going through. Remember, especially during the heightened cold and winter allergy season, to take care of yourself and have a plan to ease your symptoms!