Picture this: You're feeling all sorts of energetic, productive, and positive. You breeze through work tasks, hang out with friends and family, make time for hobbies you enjoy, or even travel to a dream destination.
However, your nose suddenly feels stuffy, runny, or itchy. In a matter of seconds, you’re already sneezing, your eyes turn red and watery, and your throat itches. Definitely not the vibes you’d want for your day, right?
So now you may wonder: Do you have allergies or a cold? Your nose definitely knows what’s up (pun intended) — so now it’s up to you to get a whiff of what’s happening and get to the bottom of these symptoms.
Take note of the differences between allergy and cold symptoms with this read, so you can act on this discomfort right away and take charge of your day!
What’s the Tea: Allergy vs. Cold Symptoms to Watch Out For
Yes, some symptoms of allergies and colds are actually similar to each other! However, there are also key differences between them. Learning how to tell these health issues’ symptoms apart from each other can be a game changer.
Not only will these bits of knowledge help you understand what issue you’re dealing with, but they will also allow you to know which medicine or even treatment you can take so you can recover faster! Truly, a total slay for you!
Here are some of the key differences between allergy and cold symptoms:
| Cold Symptoms | Allergy Symptoms | |
| Causes | Viruses like the rhinovirus, coronavirus, RSV, and parainfluenza | Airborn particles like dust, pollen, animal dander, and mol; food like eggs, milk, and nuts; insects stings; medicines; or latest or other |
| Incubation Period | One (1) to (3) days | None - symptoms can appear once someone is exposed to the alergen/s |
| Where it starts | Viruses enter the body via the eyes, mouth, or nose | Allergens enter the body via the eyes, skin, nose, respiratory tract, or gastrointestinal tract |
| How do symptoms start? |
The virus attaches itself to the lining of the nose or throat, prompting the immune system to send white blood cells that'll "fight" it. If the immune system is not as strong as it should be, common cold symptoms will begin to appear |
Once allergen/s make their way into a person's body, the immune system is "alerted". This causes the production of antibodies that release chemicals like histamine and result in allergy symptoms. |
|
Duration of symptoms
|
Five (5) to seven (7) days in adults, but it can last for two (2) to three (3) weeks in some cases. | Lasts as long as allergens are present |
|
Contagious?
|
Yes | No |
|
Color of mucus or discharge
|
Five (5) to seven (7) days in adults, but it can last for two (2) to three (3) weeks in some cases. | Lasts as long as allergens are present |
|
Color of mucus or discharge
|
Starts out clear but can turn yellow or green. | Clear, watery and thin |
|
Sneezing? |
Yes | Yes |
|
Runny nose
|
Yes | Yes |
|
Stuffy nose?
|
Yes | Yes |
|
Watery eyes?
|
Yes | Yes |
|
Sore throat? |
Yes | In some cases only |
|
Cough?
|
Yes | In some cases only |
|
Fever?
|
Rarely | No |
|
Chest pain?
|
Can be mild to moderate. | Happens rarely unless a person has allergic asthma. |
|
Medicines to take
|
Depends on symptoms: decongestants like: Phenylephrine HCl + Chlorphenamine Maleate + Paracetamol (Neozep® Forte), antihistamines, cough |
Antihistamines like Loratadine (Allerta®) |
Hold Up — Here Are Other Ways to Protect Yourself From Symptoms Did you know that you can lower your risk for allergy and cold symptoms with the help of some good habits? Take note of these tried-and-tested ways to avoid these symptoms:
- Stay away from allergens (which you know of): This is undeniably one of the easiest ways you can avoid allergy symptoms. However, if you’re not sure about the causes of allergy symptoms, consult an allergist who can help you learn what’s going on with your body.
- Keep your hands clean: Some viruses responsible for colds can thrive in your hands and spread easily from one person to another. Make it a habit to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds (as long as singing the “Happy Birthday” song twice) with soap and water. You can also use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol if you can’t make it to the bathroom in time.
- Clean, disinfect, and sanitize surfaces frequently: These may help remove or minimize someone’s exposure or contact with cold-causing germs or viruses or dust, animal fur, pollen, and known allergens.
- Wear a well-fitted face mask to lower the risk for discomfort: If you have allergies, masks can prevent allergens from entering your nose or mouth. If you have a cold, these can lower your chances of inhaling droplets in the air where cold viruses can linger.
Seek medical attention if the condition gets worse: Unaddressed allergy or cold symptoms can raise someone’s risk for complications, some need immediate medical attention. Examples include:
- For colds: Sinus infection, middle ear infection, and asthma
- For allergies: Anaphylaxis or a severe and life-threatening allergic reaction that can trigger symptoms like breathing difficulties, lightheadedness, skin rashes, nausea, vomiting, and a rapid and weak pulse
Bounce Back From Allergies With Loratadine (Allerta®)
Many health experts agree that preparation is key to addressing allergy symptoms in case they strike. Wherever you go, make sure you have Loratadine (Allerta®) Tablet handy.
One Loratadine (Allerta®) dosage contains 10 mg of Loratadine that helps block histamines responsible for allergy symptoms and provides relief against allergic rhinitis symptoms like sneezing, runny and itchy nose, itchy and watery eyes, and also skin allergy symptoms like itchiness and rash.
Even better, Loratadine (Allerta®) is non-drowsy (vs. Cetirizine and 1st gen antihistamines) and fast-acting (works in as fast as 15 minutes).
When you notice allergy symptoms, take one (1) tablet of Loratadine (Allerta®) orally once a day. One tablet can give you up to 24-hour allergy relief.
Loratadine (Allerta®) is priced at Php 23.25 SRP per tablet and is available in leading drugstores nationwide and online at the Unilab store, Lazada, and Shopee. You can also purchase Loratadine (Allerta®) in packs of 5s at Php 116.25 SRP per pack.
Stay on track and keep those allergy symptoms at bay with the help of Loratadine (Allerta®)! Para laging G na G ‘cause no more allergies!
If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
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