How to tell the difference between allergies and a cold

Sick as a dog? No prizes for guessing you might have a bad cold. Pic via Getty Images

Confused between allergies and a cold? This quick guide helps you identify symptoms and find relief.

Words by Mia Erickson for Body+Soul

We’ve all got that one extra-sniffly co-worker who insists their sneezing fits and morning lethargy are nothing more than ‘allergies’.

But with cold and flu cases rising exponentially in recent weeks, taking Steve from Accounts’ word for it might land you in hot water health-wise.

Here’s how to tell the difference between common cold symptoms and allergies, and what you should do to bolster your immune system as we brace for another winter of endless sneezing, itchy noses and sinus congestion.

How to tell the difference between allergies and a cold

While both culprits have to potential to trigger a sneezing fit at the most inconvenient of times, the way in which allergies and colds affect our immune systems is wildly different.

Allergic reactions occur when the body’s immune system perceives a harmless substance to be dangerous. In response, the body releases a variety of chemicals, such as histamine, which can trigger a range of mild to life-threatening symptoms, with anaphylaxis being the most severe.

Seasonal allergies, more commonly known as hayfever, occur when a major season change releases pollens into the environment that irritate people’s immune system.

“In the spring, tree pollen is the primary allergen,” Dr Neeta Ogden, director of the Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center in Edison, New Jersey, tells The Guardian, adding that the primary allergen in summer is grass pollen, and in autumn is ragweed.

Seasonal allergies occur when pollens irritate people's immune system. Image: Pexels — Seasonal allergies occur when pollens irritate people’s immune system. Image: Pexels

Common colds, on the other hand, are caused by viruses. While the most common culprit is rhinovirus, other fast-spreading viruses such as the flu or RSV can cause cold-like symptoms.

Given their viral origins, colds are infectious diseases that can spread easily to others due to close contact, while allergies are an individual immune response (in other words, you can’t catch them from others).

Also, allergy symptoms tend to be more persistent than cold symptoms, and will only subside when treated with medication (antihistamines work) or the exposure to the triggering substance stops. Cold symptoms typically last for seven days, and despite how common they are, few cures to fast-track recovery exist.

Allergy symptoms tend to be more persistent than cold symptoms, and will only subside when treated with medication. Image: Pexels

What is the worst time of year for allergies?

While our individual allergic responses to seasonal changes will vary depending on risk factors such as climate, surrounding triggers, and certain medical conditions, allergy symptoms and hay fever tend to peak during a certain time.

Generally speaking, the worst time of year for allergies in Australia is late spring and early summer (roughly October to December). During this time, grass pollen counts, the most common trigger of seasonal allergies, are typically at their highest.

But according to recent research, rising global temperatures are set to intensify and lengthen allergy season in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Based on data from 1990 to 2018, one study reveals that the pollen season in the United States has increased by 20 days, while pollen concentration counts increased by 21 per cent.

In Australia, with allergy season typically falling between late spring and early summer, any symptoms being experienced now, such as office sniffles, itchy and watery eyes, and sneezing fits, are more likely to be caused by common colds.

Allergy season typically falls between late spring and early summer. Image: Getty

Seasonal allergy symptoms

Fatigue
Congestion
Nasal discharge
Sneezing
Itchy watery eyes
Itchy throat
Puffy or swollen eyes
Eczema, hives and itchy skin
Shortness of breath, wheezing and respiratory distress

There is no 'cure' per se for a common cold. Image: Pexels — There is no ‘cure’ per se for a common cold. Image: Pexels

Key symptoms of a common cold

Sneezing
Stuffy nose or runny nose
Fever
Mild body aches
Sore throat
Cold cough
Fatigue
Muscle aches

While it's impossible to dispel symptoms altogether, over-the-counter medications may make enduring them a little more bearable. Image: Pexels — While it’s impossible to dispel symptoms altogether, over-the-counter medications may make enduring them a little more bearable. Image: Pexels

How to deal with colds and allergies

Despite what some home remedies and OTC medicines would have you believe, there is no ‘cure’ per se for a common cold. Instead, read up on Body+Soul’s tried and tested techniques to speed up your recovery and bolster your immune system here.

While it’s impossible to dispel symptoms altogether, over-the-counter medications such as pain relief, nasal spray, and throat lozenges may make enduring them a little more bearable.

Allergies, however, can be more efficiently addressed. Seasonal allergy medications typically incorporate the use of antihistamines and can provide relief for allergy flare-ups within an hour of taking them.

If your allergy symptoms or cold symptoms are not subsiding as they should, always consult your primary care doctor for more advanced medical care.

This article first appeared in bodyandsoul.com.au

Health