How can I tell whether I have allergies or just a cold?

Generally, allergies tend to last longer than a cold and consist of the same symptoms at the same time year after year. Seasonal allergies are more frequently associated with itchy, watery eyes. Allergic patients frequently have eye symptoms along with nasal sneezing, itchiness, discharge, and congestion. Allergies are associated with a clear nasal discharge while the discharge is more often yellowish or greenish in a cold. A fever is more indicative of a cold. Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference between seasonal allergies, a cold, or another condition and that's where a skin test will be helpful.

Skin testing detects the presence of antibodies to allergic substances. The test is performed by placing a drop of an allergen extract on the skin then pricking the skin with a needle. A positive reaction consists of a red welt appearing on your skin in about 15 minutes. A positive test suggests that you may have an allergy to the particular substance.

Prepared by Dean T. Chiang, MD.
Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine
Member, South Bay Independent Physicians Medical Group, Inc.