Is It a Cold or Allergies?

Allergies vs. Cold: What’s the Difference?

Allergies and colds have many of the same symptoms, so it may be tricky to tell them apart. However, there are some key differences between the two to know. Learn how to tell the difference between allergies and a cold so you can get the relief you need.

Allergies are not caused by viruses and cannot be spread.¹ Instead, they are caused by your immune system having a reaction to a certain trigger substance. Exposure to this substance causes your immune system to release chemicals — like histamines — to defend your body against the allergen. These histamines are also what cause allergy symptoms.

Some common allergens cause upper respiratory symptoms like sneezing and runny nose. These include:²

• Pollen from trees and grasses

• Pet dander

• Dust and mold

Other allergens can cause more systemic reactions that present as rashes, redness, or hives on the skin.*¹ Examples include: ²

• Certain foods like nuts, soy, fish, wheat, eggs, and milk

• Latex

• Bee or wasp stings

• Certain medications, such as penicillin

On the other hand, the common cold — or more simply, a cold — is the result of a virus that causes the linings of the nose and throat to become inflamed. There are over 200 different viruses that cause a cold, but rhinoviruses are the most common.³

A cold can be spread from person to person by airborne droplets that sick people cough or sneeze out. If a person is nearby, they may inhale those droplets and become infected with the virus themselves. A cold can also be spread when a sick person touches surfaces like doorknobs, then others touch them.<sup>3

1*</sup>Note: BENADRYL^® is not indicated for the treatment of food allergies, bee stings, or reactions from medication. For itchy, painful insect bites, use BENADRYL® topical products.

Cold vs Allergy Symptoms

Colds and allergies share similar symptoms, such as:¹

• Coughing

• Sneezing

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Sore throat

Some questions you can ask yourself to figure out if you have a cold or allergies are:

Can You Experience Allergies in the Winter?

As the seasons change, you may be wondering if it is possible to get allergies in the winter. Seasonal allergies are most common in the spring and summer, when there is pollen from blooming flowers, trees, and grasses. While less common, you can also experience allergies in the winter. Common winter allergens mainly come from things that are indoors, such as dust mites, molds, and animal dander.⁴

If you begin to have symptoms of a cold or allergies, take note if you have a fever, aches, and pains. This most likely means you have a cold, which you are more likely to get in the winter and spring.⁵