Allergy and Cold Symptoms: How Are They Different?
- Ronald L. Brown, M.D.
Question
My 6-year-old daughter has recently been sneezing, coughing and is tired. How can I tell if this is caused by allergies or if it's a common cold?
Answer
A cold will typically start with a sore throat, then lead to thick yellow or green mucus and possibly a cough. The symptoms last about seven to 10 days.
Allergy symptoms include itchy eyes and throat, and clear watery discharge. These symptoms can last for several weeks. Both colds and allergies can cause fatigue and sneezing.
Allergy testing and a complete history can tell one from the other.
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