Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCold vs. AllergiesUnderstanding the CauseRelieving SymptomsManaging Chronic Allergies
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Cold vs. Allergies
Understanding the Cause
Relieving Symptoms
Managing Chronic Allergies
Figuring out whether symptoms like sniffling, sneezing, coughing, and a sore throat are from cold or allergies can be tricky. This is especially true during certaintimes of the yearwhen specific allergens are abundant. The key differences between respiratory illnesses like the common cold and allergies are the onset and duration of symptoms.
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How Cold vs. Allergies Differ
Symptoms start two to three days after exposure to a virus
Symptoms can last days or weeks
Symptoms start almost instantly after exposure to an allergen
Symptom duration varies
Causes and Triggers
Start of Symptoms
How your symptoms develop is one of the best indicators for determining if a cold or allergies caused your respiratory problems.
Cold symptomstypically appear two to three days after exposure to a virus and may include:
Allergy symptomsoften mimic cold symptoms, but the key difference is that they happen almost instantly—in as little as a few seconds after exposure to an allergen. In rare cases, allergic reactions can lead toanaphylaxis, a life-threatening response causing airway restriction. It is a medical emergency.
Intensity and Length of Symptoms
How long symptoms last and how bad they get can also indicate whether you have a cold or allergies.
Cold symptomsusually appear gradually in the days after exposure to a virus and can last days or weeks. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, sometimes leading to other issues, like an ear or sinus infection. In other cases, what you believe to be a cold might actually be influenza (the flu) orCOVID-19.
Allergy symptomscan develop minutes or even seconds after exposure to an allergen. The duration of allergy symptoms depends on the type of allergy and how long you’ve been exposed to the allergen.It’s essential to avoid your allergy triggers. Prompt treatment with medications likeantihistamines and steroidscan resolve symptoms quickly.
How to Tell What’s Causing Your Symptoms
If you have respiratory symptoms that come on suddenly after exposure to a specific trigger or that appear at frequent intervals, see a healthcare provider for testing. Anallergy specialist, such as an allergist or immunologist, can test you for specific allergies, diagnose you, help you identify your triggers, and create a specialized treatment plan.
Cold, Flu, COVID-19, Allergies, or Something Else?If you have respiratory symptoms that aren’t going away or improving or are getting worse after a week, visit a healthcare provider to be tested for specificrespiratory infectionslike COVID-19, chronic issues like sinusitis, or allergies.
Cold, Flu, COVID-19, Allergies, or Something Else?
If you have respiratory symptoms that aren’t going away or improving or are getting worse after a week, visit a healthcare provider to be tested for specificrespiratory infectionslike COVID-19, chronic issues like sinusitis, or allergies.
There is no cure for the common cold. In most cases, colds resolve on their own without formal treatment. Most of the time, healthcare providers recommendsupportive careto relieve symptoms, such as:
Allergies are best managed with ongoing treatments that may include medications such as:
Ways to Make Chronic Allergies Easier
Some people—such as those with allergic asthma—take daily medications to prevent symptoms of an allergic reaction. Others only need treatment when they encounter a trigger and have a reaction.
Another strategy for managing chronic allergies is to identify and avoid your triggers. This strategy might include usingimmunotherapyto increase your tolerance to allergens or avoiding contact with pets, dust, and mold.
Summary
Respiratory infections and symptoms can have many causes but share similar symptoms, such as sneezing, congestion, and coughing. Healthcare providers can diagnose a cold based on your symptoms, whereas they use specific tests to diagnose allergies. Viruses that cause the common cold cannot be cured and usually resolve on their own in about a week, but consult a healthcare provider for symptoms that don’t improve or worsen over time. If your symptoms come on suddenly, tell your healthcare provider and ask about allergy testing.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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NIH News in Health.Cold, flu, or allergy? Know the difference for best treatment.
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