AllergyExpert.US
Do I have allergies, or is it a cold?
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Do you ever wonder if your symptoms are due to a cold or environmental allergies? How
can one tell?
The symptoms, and the duration of the symptoms, can often be helpful in figuring out what
the cause is.
Colds, caused by viruses, often result in a stuffy or runny nose, coughing, sneezing, a sore
throat. Occasionally, they may also cause fatigue, body aches, and a low grade fever.
Symptoms usually last 3-14 days.
Environmental allergies cause some of the same symptoms as cold -stuffy or runny nose,
sneezing. Occasionally allergies can also result in fatigue, cough, and sore throat.
However, environmental allergies never cause fevers, body aches or pains. The duration
of allergy symptoms can vary depending on the cause, but overall they tend to last much
longer than colds. For example, people allergic to tree pollens may have symptoms
lasting 6-8 weeks in the Spring. Individuals allergic to dust mites or animals may have
symptoms year round.
Sometimes it is difficult to differentiate colds from allergies just by the symptoms. This is
when an evaluation by a board certified allergist is useful. With the help of allergy testing,
the cause of the symptoms can be identified and a more effective treatment plan can be
offered.
can one tell?
The symptoms, and the duration of the symptoms, can often be helpful in figuring out what
the cause is.
Colds, caused by viruses, often result in a stuffy or runny nose, coughing, sneezing, a sore
throat. Occasionally, they may also cause fatigue, body aches, and a low grade fever.
Symptoms usually last 3-14 days.
Environmental allergies cause some of the same symptoms as cold -stuffy or runny nose,
sneezing. Occasionally allergies can also result in fatigue, cough, and sore throat.
However, environmental allergies never cause fevers, body aches or pains. The duration
of allergy symptoms can vary depending on the cause, but overall they tend to last much
longer than colds. For example, people allergic to tree pollens may have symptoms
lasting 6-8 weeks in the Spring. Individuals allergic to dust mites or animals may have
symptoms year round.
Sometimes it is difficult to differentiate colds from allergies just by the symptoms. This is
when an evaluation by a board certified allergist is useful. With the help of allergy testing,
the cause of the symptoms can be identified and a more effective treatment plan can be
offered.
| Cold or Allergy? Symptom comparison |