Many allergy and cold symptoms are alike making it difficult to tell the two apart. Allergies are the body's responds to substances it deems as foreign such as pollen, pet dander or certain foods, whereas the common cold is a viral infection that attacks the body, says Dr. James M. Steckelberg of the Mayo Clinic. Knowing the symptoms of each will help in self-diagnosis and treatment.
Nasal Discharge
Nasal discharge in the form of a runny nose is a common symptom of an allergic reaction and the common cold. A person may experience post-nasal drip or head congestion due to the nasal discharge. If the discharge is thick and yellow, it is most likely not related to allergies but is probably the effect of a cold. In both cases, if nasal discharge is persistent and left untreated, it can lead to a sinus infection.
Irritated Throat
Throat irritation is a common symptom of allergies and the common cold. The main difference between the two is that throat irritation due to allergies will be more scratchy than painful. A sore throat due to the common cold is typically mildly painful and can lead to severe pain. If you have troublesome pain in your throat, seek medical advice to determine the cause of the discomfort.
General Malaise
Both allergies and cold will cause a person to not feel well. Allergies commonly manifest in fatigue, irritability and discomfort, while a person with a cold is more likely to describe himself as feeling "sick." Developing a fever is not a common symptom of allergies but is common with a cold. Other signs of having a cold versus allergies are bodily chills, nausea and vomiting.
Sneezing
Sneezing is common for allergies and the common cold. Sneezing from allergies will usually come-on suddenly and is characterized by prolonged sneezing spells caused by an "itchy" nose. On the other hand, sneezing from the common cold is more isolated and produced from nasal congestion rather than itchiness in the nose.
Eye Irritation
The eyes can tell a lot about a person's well-being. The eyes can appear to be glossed-over, red or watery. Allergies tend to cause the eyes to water excessively, develop an itch and appear to be pink or red in color. A cold will not cause the eyes to itch but instead the eyes will appear to look droopy, heavy and glossy.
