Allergy checker: allergy or just a cold?

Allergy

Cold

Symptoms

Nose and throat

• Itchy nose
• Runny nose (clear in colour and runny) 
• Blocked nose
• Sneezing attacks with many sneezes in a row .
• Itchy throat, roof of mouth and sometimes inside the ears.

• Blocked nose
• Runny nose (but the ‘snot’ is usually green, thick and sticky)
• Sporadic sneezing
• Sore throat.

Eyes

• Red eyes
• Itchy eyes
• Watery eyes 

• Eyes are not usually affected

Other

• Tiredness 

• Tiredness
• Headache
• Aches and pains
• Cough

Body temperature

• Usually no fever.

• A light fever may occur.

Duration

• May last for weeks (hay fever) and usually appears at the same time each year (in response to pollen)
• May be present all year round (pet allergy, dust mite allergy, mould allergy)

• Often passes on its own within a week or so.

Treatment

Symptoms are alleviated by

• Allergy treatment
  • Tablets (e.g. antihistamines) 
  • Nasal spray (e.g. antihistamine or steroid sprays)
  • Eye drops 

• Paracetamol (for headache and fever reduction)
• Decongestants (for blocked nose)
• Hydration (drink lots of fluids)
• Rest
• Salt water gargle or throat lozenges (for sore throat)