Allergy or Cold: Why Are They So Easy to Confuse?

A stuffy nose, sneezing, watery eyes and clear nasal discharge can easily feel like the beginning of a common cold. But seasonal allergies can cause many of the same symptoms. That is why the best way to tell allergies from a cold is to look at the whole picture: which symptoms appear together, how quickly they start and how long they last.

Allergy or Cold: What Is the Difference?

The common cold is usually caused by a respiratory virus. Allergic rhinitis, on the other hand, develops after contact with an allergen. With seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever, pollen from trees, grasses or weeds is one of the most common triggers.

Symptom	Allergies	Cold or viral infection
Runny nose	Usually clear and watery	May change over several days
Sneezing	Often frequent or in repeated bouts	Can occur
Itchy nose or eyes	Common	Unusual
Watery eyes	Common	Less common
Fever	Not typical	May occur
Sore throat	Less typical	More common
Onset	Can begin quickly after allergen exposure	Often develops gradually
Duration	Depends on allergen exposure	Usually limited in duration

How to Tell Allergies from a Cold

One useful clue is whether the symptoms keep returning in a similar pattern. If a runny nose, itchy eyes, itchy nose, watery eyes and frequent sneezing appear around the same time each year or after exposure to a particular trigger, this is more typical of seasonal allergies or allergic rhinitis.

Cold symptoms usually develop over a short period, may change from day to day and gradually improve.

To learn more about why pollen and other allergens can trigger these reactions, read “Allergies and the Immune System: How Are They Connected?”.

Can Allergies Cause a Fever?

Fever is not a typical symptom of seasonal allergies or hay fever. If a runny nose is accompanied by fever, significant tiredness, body aches or a sore throat, another cause such as a viral infection should also be considered.

It is worth remembering that allergies and respiratory infections can sometimes occur at the same time, so a runny nose alone does not always reveal the cause.

What Should You Do If You Are Not Sure What Is Causing a Runny Nose?

1. Think about when the symptoms started and what happened shortly beforehand.
2. Pay attention to itchy eyes or nose, watery eyes, frequent sneezing and fever.
3. Notice how long the symptoms last and whether they return during the same season.
4. If the symptoms persist, become stronger or keep returning, speak to a healthcare professional.

Epiwell: Ingredients and Format

Epiwell is a liquid dietary supplement by Vorwarts Pharma for children from 4 years of age, teenagers and adults.

Its formula contains:

• EpiCor® dry yeast fermentate from Saccharomyces cerevisiae;
• vitamin C (Nutra C);
• vitamin D3;
• zinc.

Epiwell is alcohol-free and is taken once daily according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

You can read more about one of its key ingredients in “Natural components in Epiwell: their role and benefits”.

FAQ

How can you tell allergic rhinitis from a cold?

Allergic rhinitis is more often associated with a clear, watery runny nose, itchy nose or eyes, watery eyes and repeated sneezing. Symptoms may also return during the same season each year. A cold is more likely to include a sore throat, tiredness or other symptoms associated with a viral infection.

What is hay fever?

Hay fever is a common name for seasonal allergic rhinitis, often triggered by pollen from trees, grasses or weeds. Symptoms may include sneezing, a blocked or runny nose, itchy eyes and watery eyes.

How long does allergic rhinitis last?

Allergic rhinitis can continue for as long as exposure to the allergen continues. With seasonal allergies, symptoms may return or persist throughout the pollen season. Cold symptoms usually follow a shorter course.

Can allergies cause a cough?

Yes, coughing can sometimes occur with allergies. It may be associated with irritation or mucus draining down the back of the throat. However, a cough can have many different causes, so other symptoms should also be considered.

Allergy or cold in a child: what should parents look for?

Look at the combination of symptoms. Itchy eyes or nose, watery eyes, repeated sneezing and a clear runny nose are more typical of allergies, especially if they return during the same season. Fever, sore throat and general tiredness are more commonly associated with an infection. If a child’s symptoms last for a long time or regularly return, it is worth discussing them with a healthcare professional.

Are allergies contagious?

No. An allergic reaction cannot spread from one person to another. A common cold, however, is caused by a viral infection and can spread between people.