Cold or Allergies? 6 Key Questions to Tell the Difference

Experiencing weeks of sneezing and sniffles? Answer these six expert-guided questions to determine if it's a common cold or seasonal allergies.

1. What time of year is it?

While colds can strike anytime, spring and summer often trigger allergies due to pollen and other allergens.

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2. How long have the symptoms lasted?

A typical cold resolves in 3 days to 2 weeks. Allergy symptoms, however, can persist for weeks or longer.

3. What color is your nasal mucus?

Allergy-related mucus is usually clear, unlike the thicker, colored discharge from a cold. Exceptions can occur.

4. Do you have a fever or muscle pain?

Fever and body aches are hallmarks of colds or flu, rarely seen with allergies.

5. Are your eyes watering?

Colds may cause some tearing, but allergies typically lead to more pronounced, itchy eye watering.

6. Is your nose itchy?

A deep, persistent itch inside the nose often signals allergies, unlike the congestion of a cold where rubbing provides little relief.