Spring and allergy season is in full swing, however, are your allergies actually a cold? A cold is an infection that is caused by a virus. Allergies are your immune system’s reaction to substances such as pet dander or pollen.
Both share similar symptoms, like stuffiness and sneezing, making it easy to get them mixed up. Here are a few ways to help you tell the difference, so you can find the right relief for your symptoms:
- It’s probably a cold if:
- Your mucus becomes thick, yellow or green
- You have a cough, fever, or mild body aches
- Your symptoms change every few days
- It’s probably allergies if:
- Your mucus is clear or watery
- Your eyes are itchy or watery
- You’ve had the sniffles for more than a week
- Your symptoms show up only in certain situations
Resource: Mayo Clinic