Do I have an allergy or a cold? Since the symptoms are similar, that’s not always easy to say. We’ll tell you the differences!
Allergy or cold? The short checklist for your health
Whether you have an allergy or a cold is not always so easy to spot – because the symptoms like heavy cough and runny nose can be very similar. Here we reveal the most important differences in the short overview:
Cold:
- Can occur at any time (especially in winter, but there is also the summer flu )
- Announces itself slowly (eg, only by sore throat) and stays about a week
- Complaints occur equally strong, whether you are inside or outside and also do not change due to changing weather
- Nasal secretion is often yellowish or greenish discolored
- Additional symptoms such as fever or chills
Allergy:
- Comes at the same time every year
- Begins very suddenly
- Is especially bad in the morning with a house dust allergy , pollen allergy suffer especially outside. Long-lasting rain reduces the number of pollen in the air and thus reduces the symptoms
- Nasal secretion is clear and not discolored
- Additional symptoms such as burning eyes, itching or sneezing
Allergy or cold – these symptoms exist
There are many complaints that fit both diseases. These symptoms occur, whether you have an allergy or a cold :
- to cough
- sniff
- clogged nose
- sneezing
- Pressure in the head / headache
- Swollen mucous membranes in the nose
Anyone who is unsure whether he has an allergy or a cold, should definitely visit the doctor. An untreated allergy can promote allergic asthma .
Notes: How to recognize allergic rhinitis and what helps?
Through an allergic reaction during the so-called prick test , the doctor can find out whether there is an allergy to common allergens such as house dust or pollen. Antihistamines can then relieve the inflammatory response. In some allergies, the so-called hyposensitization helps .
Colds and Co .: How to treat the complaints!
If you have a cold, gentle home remedies can help. Read all about home remedies for colds , home remedies for cough and home remedies for sore throats .