Allergies or Colds: Knowing the Difference and Why You Need To

When it comes to allergies and colds, many of us can’t tell the difference between them. Common symptoms like sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, a runny nose—all these can be signs of either an allergy or a cold. That’s why it’s important to know how to differentiate between allergies and colds so that you get the right treatment for your condition.
Common Symptoms of Allergies & Colds
The most common symptom for both allergies and colds is congestion in the nasal passages accompanied by sneezing. Other symptoms include a sore throat, watery eyes, headaches, body aches in some cases as well as coughing. It is also possible to experience fatigue with both conditions too. However, there are certain signs that help distinguish one from another such as runny noses being more likely associated with a cold than an allergy whereas itching around the nose is usually indicative of an allergic reaction rather than a virus-based infection which results in a cold.
How To Tell The Difference Between Allergies And A Cold
If you have difficulty telling whether you have an allergy or just caught yourself a nasty bug then here are some tips on how to make sure what's causing your discomfort:
Duration – if your symptoms last longer than two weeks then chances are they may be due to allergies; however if they subside within seven days then this could mean that it was caused by a viral infection instead
Location – where do you feel uncomfortable? If it's mainly around your head (nose/eyes/throat) then this could point towards having an allergic reaction, but if other parts of your body such as chest area become affected too then this would suggest something else at play
Specificity – does anything trigger those unpleasant sensations? For example when exposed to pollen grains outside during springtime or after eating certain food items etc.. This will give you an indication whether its
an allergic response rather than catching something contagious
Severity - while mild forms of both conditions produce similar effects their intensity differs greatly depending on type, so pay attention how bad those reactions actually are before jumping into conclusions about what might cause them.
Why It's Important To Know The Difference
Knowing which one out of the two causes discomfort helps determine the best course of action moving forward since each requires different approaches when it comes down to treating them effectively and quickly. In addition, proper diagnosis can also ensure that the appropriate medication is prescribed and tailored specifically towards addressing the underlying issue thereby ensuring maximum efficiency achieved throughout the entire process taking place over a short time frame.
If none of the above mentioned methods prove successful to identifying the root cause behind your problem visit an ENT specialist. Contact Meyerson Sinus Center at (813)775-4176 and schedule your appointment today and be on your way to better health!









