A 50-year-old member asked:
how to tell if this is an allergy or cold?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Linda Green answered
Pediatric Allergy and Asthma 45 years experience
Allergy or cold: Colds may last one to two weeks, with runny nose, nasal congestion, cough and sometimes fever. Allergies may be similar but often last longer and there is often sneezing, itchy eyes and nose, clear watery mucous. If in doubt see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. Allergies tend to be chronic or recurrent and are often worse at the same time of year.
3890 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Dean Giannone answered
Internal Medicine 25 years experience
See a doctor.: A good physical examination by a physician can differentiate the two.
3496 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Similar questions
A 32-year-old member asked:
Is it allergies or is it a cold? How do you tell?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. John Hanna answered
Family Medicine 35 years experience
Duration: A viral ifection last 7-10 days. Allergic nasal suffiness last as long as you continue to be exposed. Seasonal infections most often are seasonal allergies that have yet to be clearly identified.
5746 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
What are the differences between allergies and a cold? How can I tell which one I have?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Joel Gallant answered
Infectious Disease 36 years experience
A few differences: It can be tricky, but there are differences. Allergies tend to occur in the spring and fall; colds more often in summer and winter. Itchy eyes goes more for allergies; starting out with a sore throat is more typical of a cold. And allergies are more likely to respond to antihistamines than colds.
5728 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
How do you know if you have a ketchup allergy?
1 doctor answer • 17 doctors weighed in
Dr. Barbara Stark Baxter answered
Allergy and Immunology 42 years experience
Allergic symptoms: Symptoms of food allergies can range from itching of the lips, tongue, palate or throat to GI upset with nausea, vomiting, cramping, bloating, or diarrhea, to headache, nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes, puffy eyes, itchy ears, itchy skin, hives, rashes, to cough, asthma, flushing, shock or rarely, joint pains. One could be tested to components like tomato, or do a prick test w/the food.
5728 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
How can I mitigate the effects of my allergies?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Anthony LaBarbera answered
Pediatrics 28 years experience
See below: Use of allegra, zyrtec, or claritin (loratadine). For eye symptoms, you can try zatidor , vizine for allergies, or naphcon a.
5728 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Keegan Duchicela commented
Family Medicine 14 years experience
Great answer. I would add showering before bed, rinsing out the nose and even using a neti pot - especially if you've been outside doing sports, mowing lawn, gardening, etc. Just so you're not going to bed with dirt, allergens still on your body.
Jul 13, 2012
A 32-year-old member asked:
How can I get help treating my allergies?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Steven Machtinger answered
Allergy and Immunology 44 years experience
Lots of resources: Start with family members who have allergies. I like to say that "noses run in families" (allergy joke). So who's helping them with their allergies? Next your primary care physician - a trustworthy, knowledgeable resource. You can call your county medical society for names or find an allergist at www.Aaaai.Org & www.Acaai.Org. Think twice about those who advertise.
5722 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Oct 23, 2017
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