How to tell if you have allergies or a cold

When you’re feeling crummy with a runny nose, cough, and congestion, you want that feeling to go away as quickly as possible. But it helps to know what’s causing it, so you know what to expect and how to treat it most effectively. If you experience allergies, you know how similar it can be to a cold. Here’s how to tell them apart.

Allergy vs. cold symptoms

There are some key differences between allergies and colds, including symptoms and causes.

What do allergies feel like?

There are many types of allergic reactions. But when it mainly affects the nose, it’s called “allergic rhinitis.” This is what people commonly refer to as “allergies.” Symptoms can include:

Runny nose
Cough
Congestion
Headache
Itching, especially the eyes and nose
Sneezing

What does a cold feel like?

Cold symptoms commonly include the following:

Runny nose
Cough
Congestion
Headache
Sneezing
Sore throat
Body aches

With so much overlap in the symptoms, it’s easy to confuse colds and allergies. But we'll help you figure it out

How can you tell the difference between allergies and a cold?

The easiest way to tell if you have a cold or allergies is to look at your symptoms, how you got them, and how long they’re lasting. Let’s go over these three areas in detail.

1. Symptoms

As we’ve just seen, many cold and allergy symptoms are the same. But they share some important differences, which you may be able to spot.

If you have a sore throat or body aches, then it’s more likely to be a cold. These symptoms are not common with allergies.

On the other hand, if you have itching — especially in the nose, throat, and/or eyes — then it’s more likely to be from allergies.

Allergies also don’t cause a fever. If you have a fever, it’s more likely to be a cold or another infection like the flu.

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2. How you got them

If pollen levels are higher than usual, and you’ve been outdoors, that may be a sign that your symptoms are due to allergies. But some triggers, like dust and mold, can cause allergy symptoms all year. To see if you have allergies or a cold, you can try to pinpoint a trigger. Or, better yet, look to the people around you.

Allergy symptoms are not contagious. But if you’ve been around someone sick with a cold and you start to get similar symptoms, that’s a good sign that it’s probably a cold.

3. How long they’re lasting

Allergy symptoms can last as long as there’s a trigger. But a cold tends to last about 7 to 10 days.

Can allergies turn into a cold?

No, allergies won’t turn into a cold. But chronic (long-standing) rhinitis can lead to blocked nasal passages, causing sinus problems.

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What’s the best treatment for colds vs. allergies?

There are plenty of options to treat symptoms related to allergies, including antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays. Let’s review popular cold and allergy medications.

Nasal sprays

Inhaled steroid sprays work very well for controlling allergy symptoms. Examples of inhaled steroids that you can find over the counter (OTC) include:

Antihistamine nasal sprays include Astepro (azelastine) and Patanase (olopatadine). These are available by prescription only.

Decongestants

Decongestants work to relieve stuffiness and congestion due to either allergies or colds. You can get these in nasal spray form (Afrin) or in pill form. Examples include:

Oral antihistamines

There are many antihistamine options that you take by mouth, including:

With all these OTC options, you may be confused about what to take for your cold or allergy symptoms. You can always ask your local pharmacist or contact your healthcare provider with questions.

Keep in mind that antibiotics do not work for allergy or cold symptoms. This is because antibiotics are designed to treat infections caused by bacteria.

How can you prevent colds and allergies?

If you’ve suffered from cold or allergy symptoms before, and odds are you have, you probably want to avoid having them again. But the strategies for avoiding them are different.

Allergy prevention

An allergic reaction happens when your immune system senses an “invader.” It triggers the release of histamine (a chemical) from immune cells, which causes a series of events that lead to symptoms that affect your airways ( nose, lungs, and sinuses) and skin.

With allergies, the best prevention is to avoid whatever triggers your allergy symptoms. Sometimes that’s easier said than done, especially if you’re not sure of your trigger(s). If you have seasonal allergies that happen because of high pollen counts, it’s pretty tough to avoid your trigger other than by staying indoors.

OTC medications can help with symptoms, but they won’t prevent allergies.

Cold prevention

In contrast, a cold is your body’s reaction to a virus. The rhinovirus is the most common cold virus. Colds are most common in the winter and spring, but people can get colds any time of the year.

Colds are contagious. The virus can travel through the air in droplets, like when someone coughs. It can also live on the surfaces of objects and the hands. Once the virus enters your body — often through the eyes, nose, or mouth — your immune system will begin to fight it off.

Your best bet to avoid a cold is to try not to be around others who are sick and to practice good hand hygiene. This means washing your hands — with soap — frequently when you’re sick and always before eating. Also, try not to touch your face with your hands, especially if you haven’t washed them.

What can you do if you’re still not sure if you have a cold or allergies?

If you have bothersome symptoms and you can’t seem to figure out what’s going on, you may want to see a healthcare professional. They can help you figure out the problem and suggest ways to make you feel better.

If you have severe allergies, your provider may recommend that you visit an allergist to manage your symptoms. An allergist is a doctor who specializes in allergic reactions, asthma, and other immune system problems.

The bottom line

Cold and allergy symptoms can sometimes feel similar, but there are some differences that can help you tell them apart. With allergies, it’s best to identify and avoid your triggers and treat with antihistamines or a nasal steroid spray. You can help cold symptoms with rest, hydration, and decongestants as needed. Be sure to ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider if you’re not sure what’s going on — they can help point you in the right direction.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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How do I know if it's my allergies or a cold?

The only ache you may feel with allergies is a headache from all that congestion. Allergies can cause a sore throat if there's enough irritation from post-nasal drip and coughing, but if you're experiencing a sore throat or mild body aches, they're more likely a sign of a bad cold.

Can seasonal allergies feel like a cold?

Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, causes cold-like symptoms. These may include a runny nose, itchy eyes, congestion, sneezing and sinus pressure. But unlike a cold, hay fever isn't caused by a virus.

How can you tell the difference between Covid and allergies?

Symptom check: Is it COVID-19 or seasonal allergies? COVID-19 can cause shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. But seasonal allergies don't usually cause these symptoms unless you have a respiratory condition such as asthma that can be triggered by pollen exposure.