Is It Allergies or a Cold?
But if you’re sneezing and your nose is running it can be difficult to know whether the issue is pollen or something else. Maybe you have a cold.
“Although there is a lot of overlap with symptoms, allergies and colds are very different,” says Joao Pedro Matias Lopes, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland. “Knowing which you have is important so you can get the right, effective treatment.”
Seasonal allergies and the common cold stem from different issues.
Symptoms like sneezing aim to rid the body of allergens — in this case, viruses.
Although sneezing is common with both a cold or allergies, sneezing due to an allergy is typically more frequent and persistent, according to Stephen Kimura, MD, an allergist in Pensacola, Florida, and a medical reviewer for Everyday Health.
“With allergies you may sneeze five times in a row, versus with a cold, where you’re more likely to have one or two sneezes, blow your nose, and you’re clear,” says Dr. Kimura.
Dr. Lopes adds that if you’re sneezing more outdoors than indoors, that could be a sign you have allergies rather than a cold.
A major characteristic separating allergies from colds is how long they typically persist.
“Colds typically resolve [get better] within 7 to 10 days, while allergy symptoms persist as long as the allergen is around,” which could be weeks or even months, says David Erstein, MD, an allergist and division chief of allergy at NYC Health + Hospitals, Lincoln.
Additionally, Dr. Erstein says, “Allergies tend to be seasonal or year-round, whereas colds are more common in the colder months when viral transmission is higher,” as a result of people spending more time together indoors.
Good hygiene practices help prevent both seasonal allergy attacks and colds, particularly showering for allergies and hand-washing for colds.
“I tell people who are allergic to pollen, if you’ve been outdoors for a while, get inside, get out of those clothes, and get in the shower to get that pollen off of you,” says Kimura.
Unlike colds, allergies are not contagious so people don’t have to worry about infecting others. But since allergic reactions put a strain on the immune system, “I tell people with allergies that they are also a magnet for respiratory infections,” Lopes says. “So you could have both allergies and a cold at the same time.”
“People with allergies may be tempted to crack a window at night when it’s cool,” says Kimura. “I tell them they might as well drag their bed outside and sleep under a tree. If your window is open at all, allergens can get in.”
When allergy or cold symptoms are making you miserable, treatments can help. Some decongestants and pain relievers may ease a stuffy nose and aches whether you have allergies or a cold.
A saline nasal spray is an all-purpose remedy. “I find a little squeeze bottle with saline solution can help both colds as well as allergies,” says Kimura. “If you’re infected with a cold virus, it helps rinse out all that mucus and congestion. If the issue is allergies, it helps rinse out allergens you’ve been breathing in throughout the day.”
While most people can handle seasonal allergies and colds on their own, certain red flags indicate the need for medical evaluation.
“If symptoms persist beyond 10 to 14 days, worsen significantly, or do not respond to treatment, it may be time to see a doctor,” says Erstein.
Possible complications warranting a healthcare visit, he says, include:
If you have chronic allergies, asthma, or recurrent sinus infections, a healthcare provider can help identify triggers, prescribe stronger treatments like allergy immunotherapy (allergy shots), and monitor for complications.
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