How can you tell the difference between allergies and common cold?

By symptoms: Common colds last a week or two but allergy symptoms are more chronic and persistent. Colds can be accompanied by other symptoms from the virus like sore throat, body aches and some times a low grade fever. With allergies the most important symptom is itching (of nose, throat, eyes). Sneezing, runny nose, sinus pressure, head congestion and headaches are seen in both conditions.

Clues: Allergy clues: no fever. Lasts longer than 10-14 days. Seasonal. Itchy eyes. Related to something you breathed in or something new in your environment (dust, fumes, new animals).

Further Clues: Cold: swollen glands. Aches and pains. Low grade (and sometimes higher) fevers. General feeling of illness, fatigue. Both can itch. Both can involve nasal congestion, cough, sore throat. Even for a professional it can sometimes be hardto tell the difference.

Fever versus itch: Colds and hayfever both cause runny nose, stuffy nose, and sneezing. But hayfever is not associated with fever despite the implication in the name. Colds often cause fever, but usually are not associated with significant itching. Allergies usually cause itchy eyes, nose, and/ or throat.

Fever versus itch: Colds and hayfever both cause runny nose, stuffy nose, and sneezing. But hayfever is not associated with fever despite the implication in the name. Colds often cause fever, but usually are not associated with significant itching. Allergies usually cause itchy eyes, nose, and/ or throat.