Are you currently having a bad day due to colds? Or is it due to allergies?
Maybe, you have a runny nose or congestion. Or perhaps keeps on sneezing and coughing, so probably you’re aware that you have a cold. But did you know, these are also signs of allergies?
By knowing the differences between colds and allergies, you can locate the right medication and relief quicker.
Table of Contents
Cold: What is it?
Cold or also known as the common cold is due to a virus. There are several types of viruses that are causing colds. Though severity and symptom may vary, common colds share the same essential characteristics of having an allergy.
Below are the following key factors of the colds:
- Colds can be transmitted through virus droplets from the sick person when they sneeze or cough
- Addition to the sneezing and coughing, common cold symptoms can also have a runny, stuffy nose, and a sore throat
- In severe cases, it can cause fevers, body aches, and headaches.
- If the symptoms last for more than seven days up to 14 days, the virus may be associated with a more serious infection like pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus infection
- An individual with allergies are also at risk of catching colds.
Despite its name, you can acquire this disease called “colds” any time of the year, whether it’s winter, summer, spring, or fall; everybody can catch a cold. According to the CDC, a healthy individual catches at least two to three colds yearly.
For young children, they can get more colds because they have less mature immune systems to fight against viruses.
Allergies: What is it?
Allergies happen when the immune system has an adverse reaction to particular substances. If you’re exposed to any of your allergy triggers or known as the allergen, the immune system will release a chemical called histamines. The release of this chemical causes allergy symptoms.
Again, allergies and colds also share the same symptoms as:
- Coughing
- Sore throat
- Sneezing
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes.
Allergies also include itchy eyes and rashes, and colds don’t have these symptoms. Annually, over 50 million Australians experience allergies. There are seasonal allergens like grass, weed pollen, tree, and leaves are the most common triggers. However, aside from these seasonal allergens, you might also be allergic to other substances that are present throughout the whole year.
Allergy triggers like:
- Mold
- Dust mites
- Foods like peanuts, milk, tree nuts, and eggs
- Animal dander or saliva from cats and dogs.
Allergies vs. Colds: How You Can Tell the Difference
Since both allergies and colds share the same symptoms, it’s pretty hard to determine the differences between these two. So if you suspect yourself or a family member having either colds or allergies, set an appointment to Cranbourne medical centre and ask for a physician’s advice for the relief.
But for now, you need to differentiate these two diseases and tell what’s making you feel uncomfortable. Pay attention to the following symptoms that they don’t share.
Colds can causes:
- Fever
- Aches and pain
- Sore throat
- Allergies, on the other hand, may cause:
- Wheezing
- Itchy eyes
- Skin rashes like hives or eczema.
Another sign of allergies in children is called “allergic salute.” Children with allergies can have watery eyes or runny rose, which is often rubbed with an upward motion that looks like a salute.
