General Health

Allergies vs. Common Cold: Which One Do You Have?

Recovery period may also help distinguish a cold from allergy.

Medically Inspected by: Loreta D. Dayco, MD, Edilberto B. Garcia, Jr., MD, and Maria Christina H. Ventura, MD

Sneezing and runny noses become more prevalent during the rainy season because the virus that causes the common cold readily spreads at lower temperatures. Similarly, allergies are also common in rainy, humid weather. Cold and allergies often exhibit similar symptoms, so it may be challenging to determine which of the two you may have.

It is important, however, to be able to differentiate one from the other so that you can receive the corresponding treatment. To help you understand the differences between allergy and the common cold, here is a breakdown of their causes, symptoms, duration, and treatment.

Allergy vs. Colds

	Allergy	Common Cold
Causes	Caused by allergens, such as: Dust, dust mites, mold, pollen, mold, and other airborne triggers Insect bites or animal dander Food like peanuts, egg, chicken, soy, seafood, or dairy Certain medications like penicillin	Caused by viruses, such as: Rhinovirus Coronavirus Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and parainfluenza in babies and children
Symptoms	Signs and symptoms of allergy and cold:
	Sneezing Runny or stuffy nose Congestion Watery eyes Coughing Sore throat
	Allergy Symptoms Only	Cold Symptoms Only
	Clear or watery mucus Rashes Severe allergic reaction, or anaphylaxis, requires immediate medical attention and may include these signs and symptoms: Severe skin reactions like hives or having a flushed complexion Low blood pressure Constriction of airways leading to difficulty in breathing Nausea Diarrhea Fainting Weak or rapid pulse	Clear or watery mucus that may progress to a thicker consistency and an opaque white, yellow, or green color Post-nasal drip Fever (in rare instances)
Duration	It will last until you are no longer exposed to the allergen	It usually lasts for seven to 10 days
Treatment	Antihistamines such as Cetirizine and Loratadine may help give relief from allergy symptoms	Treatment of cold varies depending on the symptoms. Medications with Phenylephrine HCl or Phenylpropanolamine HCl help address congestion. The presence of Chlorphenamine Maleate in medications may relieve sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. Some cold medications also contain Paracetamol to address fever.

Other ways to distinguish cold from allergy

Recovery period may also help distinguish a cold from allergy. A case of the common cold may subside in a few days. Allergies, on the other hand, may go away shortly after avoiding exposure to the allergen or as you take medication. For instance, you may develop allergy symptoms when you are in a dusty room or near a cat, but the symptoms may disappear when you leave the room or distance yourself from the animal.

It is always best to consult a doctor if you are unsure about your condition. If you think you have an allergy, your doctor may ask you to take allergy tests to help you pinpoint the exact cause of it. If it seems you have the common cold, a call or visit to your doctor may also help you get expert advice on treatment.

General disclaimer

Your doctor will always be in the best position to give the appropriate medical advice for your condition. For suspected undesirable drug reaction, seek medical attention immediately and report to the FDA at www.fda.gov.ph and UNILAB, Inc. at 8-UNILAB-1 or productsafety@unilab.com.ph. Always buy your medicine from your trusted drugstores and retailers.

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