symptoms of allergies and colds can be similar but here's how to tell the difference: occurrence of symptoms: both cause symptoms of sneezing congestion runny nose watery eyes fatigue and headaches. however colds often cause symptoms one at a time: first sneezing then a runny nose and then congestion. allergies cause symptoms that occur all at once. duration of symptoms: cold symptoms generally last from 7 to 10 days. allergy symptoms continue as long as a person is exposed to the allergy-causing agent but may subside soon after elimination of allergen exposure. mucus discharge: colds may cause yellowish nasal discharge suggesting an infectious cause. allergies generally cause clear thin watery mucus discharge. sneezing: sneezing especially two or three times in a row is a more common allergy symptom. time of year: colds are more common during the winter. allergies are more common in the spring through the fall when plants pollinate. presence of a fever: colds may be accompanied by a fever but allergies are not usually associated with a fever.
how can i tell if my child has allergies or a common cold?