Allergies vs. Cold Symptoms: What’s the difference?

ENT Institute

Nowadays, when you or someone you know is sick, there’s a level of concern about what it is, whether that’s allergies, the common cold, the flu, a sinus infection, or COVID-19. There are distinct differences between each one that you should know so you can stay ahead of what’s ailing you. For this blog, we’re focusing on allergies vs cold symptoms (since we covered the others in a previous blog).

The differences between allergies and the common cold are subtle but can be spotted pretty quickly. The issue with either of these is that if ignored, they can turn into a dangerous sinus infection.

But let’s start with allergy symptoms and go from there.

Allergy Symptoms

If you live here in Georgia, you know it’s always allergy season. In the wintertime, it’s not necessarily something outside like ragweed pollen, but its indoor allergens. Indoor allergens include pet dander, dust, or mold, all of which are prominent in the wintertime, mostly due to people spending more time indoors.

Allergy symptoms include:

Runny/congested nose
Sneezing
Watery eyes
Cough
Difficulty breathing (asthma)
Itchy throat
Headache

As you probably already know, unless you have asthma, allergy symptoms are easy to manage and more than likely won’t prevent you from completing daily activities.

Cold Symptoms

Symptoms between allergies and the common cold are quite similar, but here are a few things specific to colds that will let you know the issue:

Body aches
Low-grade fever
Muscle pain
Cough with phlegm
Post-nasal drip
Fatigue
Sinus pressure
Swollen lymph nodes

Other symptoms for colds include what’s in the allergy symptoms section. Although there are a lot of symptoms within the cold category, they’re mostly mild.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who treats allergies?

There are plenty of allergy specialists out in the world. Here at the Ear, Nose & Throat Institute, our allergy specialists perform same-day allergy tests to find out what you’re allergic to and also offer at-home allergy therapy.

How do allergies work?

It’s not necessarily the allergen that’s harming your body, but your body’s response to a foreign invader that causes those pesky symptoms. For example, a dog has dog dander that might trigger an allergic response. What’s happening is your body goes into defense mode, leading to those allergy symptoms.

Will allergies cause a fever?

Rarely do allergies cause a fever, since a fever is typically 100.4 degrees.

Can cold weather cause a cold?

Because the common cold is a virus, it’s not directly related to the weather, although its potency is more effective in colder temperatures.

Same-day allergy treatment

Here at the Ear, Nose & Throat Institute we offer same-day allergy testing that gives results back within a few minutes!

We also offer at-home allergy therapy. For many with allergies, going to a clinic multiple times a week can be a pain. That’s why you can do it right from the comfort of your own home.

Watch the videos below to learn more: