April showers may bring May flowers, but not everyone rejoices at the sight of fresh blooms. As spring blossoms across the country, pollen count increases, and you may be one of the unfortunate victims of allergic rhinitis, also called hay fever or seasonal allergies. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, about 50 million people in the United States suffer from nasal allergies. Up to 30 percent of adults and 40 percent of children experience stuffy noses, itchy eyes and other symptoms associated with seasonal allergies, but hay fever isn’t the only culprit when it comes to respiratory symptoms. Many people confuse the common cold with allergies. Fortunately, there are some tell-tale signs that can set you straight.
Virus vs. Natural Defense
For starters, the common cold is caused by one of at least 100 known viruses. There’s no cure for a cold, but there are ways to treat symptoms and mitigate its long-term effects. Because colds tend to happen more frequently or noticeably during seasonal changes, you might not realize that you have a cold when you think you’re suffering from allergies. Colds can happen any time, but they’re more likely to happen with increased exposure to other people carrying the virus. Kids, for example, pick up more germs during the start of the school year because they’re forced into close quarters with other kids who are sick. Parents pick up the cold from them, and the virus spreads.
Seasonal allergies, on the other hand, only happen during seasonal changes when the pollen count increases and other irritants get kicked up by mowing, weed-eating, raking and other outdoor activities. For people with allergies, the immune system kicks into overdrive to rid the body of allergens. As a result, you might experience a runny nose and itchy eyes for several weeks. There are other types of allergies that can affect people year round, but this article focuses on seasonal disorders because they’re most likely to be confused with the common cold.
Shared Symptoms
Despite the fact that a cold is caused by a virus while allergies stem from biological responses, these conditions can look and act alike to the untrained eye. Both colds and seasonal allergies share a few common symptoms. In fact, you might see some multi-purpose products on the shelves labeled to treat cold, flu and seasonal allergies. Shared symptoms include:
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Stuffy nose
- Fatigue or general weakness
Note that fatigue or general weakness doesn’t always happen with either condition. If you have any of the symptoms listed above, then you’ll have to dig a little deeper to determine which condition is giving you grief. A quick trip to your doctor or an urgent care facility will help you make the right call, but before you head out, consider your other symptoms. Colds and allergies may seem like two sides of the same coin, but there are some definite differentiators.
Exclusive Symptoms
If you have general aches and pains, a cough, or a sore throat, then you’ve probably got a cold. Since they’re caused by viruses, colds affect more of your body than allergies do. You’re unlikely to get a cough with seasonal allergies, and it’s rare that you’ll experience a sore throat because of pollen. Fever and itchy eyes are rare symptoms of colds. Fevers more commonly indicate the flu or something more serious. Seasonal allergies never cause fevers.
For allergy sufferers, itchy eyes are a frequent symptom whereas general aches and pains are not. In fact, if you experience general achiness, then it’s not caused by your seasonal allergies. The duration of your illness can also give you a hint about its underlying cause. Colds run for about three to 10 days while allergies tend to stick around for the duration of the season even with treatments. You may have a stubborn cold that persists for up to two weeks, but if it happens every year around the same time, then you may want to discuss the possibility of allergies with your doctor.
How to Treat Your Symptoms
Most colds clear up with basic over-the-counter medication, natural remedies and time. There’s a reason that these viruses are referred to as “the common cold.” Most people suffer from mild to severe colds throughout the year depending on their exposure. Take care to wash your hands thoroughly, cough into your arm and avoid contact with people who are obviously sick to mitigate your risk of infection. By contrast, allergy suffers don’t need to worry about passing along their condition to others via contact since hay fever isn’t contagious.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology suggests that those with allergies try several strategies for dealing with them, including “avoidance, eliminating or decreasing your exposure to the irritants or allergens that trigger your symptoms, medication and immunotherapy.” Immunotherapy refers to targeted allergy shots administered by a doctor. About 85 percent of people who undergo immunotherapy experience relief. Knowing and recognizing the differences between these two conditions can help you find a more effective way for dealing with unpleasant seasonal symptoms.
