People often mix up a cold and runny nose with an allergy because these two conditions share almost the exact same symptoms. It is no wonder that people are confused when it comes to colds and allergies, however, they must know that these two are very different from each other, especially in terms of what causes them. This begs the question, “How can you differentiate a cold and runny nose from an allergy?”
What Is the Difference Between a Cold and Runny Nose and an Allergy?
A cold and runny nose (also known as colds) refers to a viral infection in areas such as the nose, bronchi, and pharynx.
On the other hand, allergies refer to the body’s reaction when allergens enter the human body and the body mistakes these allergens as a foreign invader. The body then undergoes an extreme immune reaction against them. This is why people start to feel their eyes getting itchy, and their nose becoming runny. At times, their skin may also become itchy. Rashes or hives may also form.
What Are the Symptoms and Causes of a Cold and Runny Nose?
The common symptoms of a cold and runny nose are:
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Soreness in the throat
- Coughing
- Fevers or chills
- Body aches
- Headache
- Losing sense of smell or taste
- Experiencing nausea or vomiting
The common causes of a cold and runny nose are:
- Being in a place with cold temperatures
- Flu
- Allergies
- Having gustatory rhinitis (getting a runny nose when eating certain kinds of food)
What Are the Symptoms and Causes of an Allergy?
Some common symptoms of an allergy are the following:
- Allergens can cause mild reactions to the body such as itchiness, runny nose, hay fever, localized rashes or hives, and watery and itchy eyes.
- Allergens can cause moderate reactions to the body such as generalized hives, itchiness, and possibly trouble in breathing.
- And allergens can cause severe reactions to the entire body such as cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, swelling and generalized hives, mental confusion or dizziness, and a drop in blood pressure.
The common causes of allergy are:
- Pollen
- Certain kind of food
- Mold
- Dust
- Latex, some metals
- Insect venom/poison
- Animal dander (skin that is shed by animals, including feathers and fur)
How To Differentiate Cold and Runny Nose from Allergy
Symptoms | Cold and Runny Nose | Allergy |
| Headache | Quite common | Not common |
| Fever | Possible | There is no possibility for a person to get a fever if they are experiencing allergies. |
| Aches and Pains | Slight body aches and pains | There is no possibility for a person to experience body aches and pains if they are experiencing allergies. |
| Exhaustion | People who have a cold may experience exhaustion. | People who are experiencing allergies will not experience exhaustion. |
| Weakness/Fatigue | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Cough | Common | Sometimes |
| Sore Throat | Common | Sometimes |
| Stuffy and/or Runny Nose | Common | Common |
| Sneezing | It is guaranteed that people will sneeze when they have a cold and runny nose. | It is guaranteed that people will sneeze when they are experiencing allergies. |
| Discomfort in the chest | Mild to moderate chest discomfort | It is rare to feel discomfort in the chest for people who are experiencing allergies. However those with allergic asthma are likely to feel these symptoms. |
Key Takeaway
Although both the common cold and allergies may share similarities in terms of symptoms, they do have differences. For example, a fever is may happen for those with a cold, but it will never happen as a result of allergies. Likewise, a cough and sore throat are common with the cold, but are unlikely to happen with allergies. These differences make it easy for people to identify which treatment or remedy they should use. When in doubt, it is always best to consult your doctor.
Learn more about the Common Cold here.
