If you’re experiencing congestion, scratchy throat and a painful headache at the same time every year, you might want to reconsider your self diagnosis. You could be confusing seasonal allergies with the common cold! While the two may seem similar, they are actually very different diseases. Here’s some tips in distinguishing a virus from an allergen.

Colds: Symptoms will appear one at a time. First you’ll experience sneezing, then a runny nose, then congestion. Sneezes also seem to be loud and infrequent as a means to clear bronchial congestion in the lungs. Eyes might occasionally water but the mucus will normally be yellowish nasal discharge in response to the infection. A cold also lasts seven to 10 days and are more common during the winter. The chances of getting a fever are also increased.

Allergies: Unlike the common cold, symptoms occur all at once. Your body’s response to the allergen may last as long as your exposed to the allergy-causing agent. Also, the mucus is generally a clear, thin discharge - the cause of watery eyes. Sneezing is also proven to be more common than with colds and tends to fall during the spring and fall seasons. This is due largely to pollinating plants.

Knowing the differences will help you determine the proper treatment in hopes for a speedy recovery!

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