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Because allergies and colds share many of the same symptoms, sometimes it's hard to tell which one you may be experiencing. Many people who suffer from allergies think they have colds when, in fact, substances in their environment are to blame. Colds are caused by a virus, while allergies result from irritation in response to an allergen, which is an allergy producing substance like pollen, dust mites, animal dander, or mold. Cold symptoms include fever, sore throat, and aches and pains as well as watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and coughing. Nasal discharge from a cold tends to be thicker and yellow or green. Allergies also include watery eyes, sneezing, and coughing, but usually don't produce fever. In addition, colds last about a week, while allergies can last more than 10 days and tend to come and go. Another thing to remember is that the intensity of allergic symptoms are very consistent and occur during the same season each year. Most other illnesses, like colds, will become worse and then better before they disappear altogether.
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