Is it allergies or a cold?

By Edo Paz, MD
Medically reviewed checkmarkMedically reviewed
December 30, 2020

A cold and allergies can sometimes be difficult to tell apart, and that’s because both involve your body’s immune system fighting  a foreign invader. In the case of a cold, that invader is a virus, while in the case of allergies, this could be anything from pollen to pet dander. So, how can you tell them apart? First, pay attention to your symptoms. While a cold and allergies can both involve stuffy nose and sneezing, allergies also include red and itchy eyes, while a cold can involve a fever, body aches and general fatigue. The duration of both is different as well; while a cold can last up to ten days, allergies will linger as long as the trigger is around you, meaning it could be weeks or months.

If you want to talk through your symptoms, you can always text with a doctor now in the K Health app.

K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.

Edo Paz, MD

Edo Paz is the VP of Medical at K Health. Dr. Paz has two degrees in chemistry from Harvard and earned his medical degree from Columbia University. He did his medical training in internal medicine and cardiology at New York-Presbyterian. In addition to his work at K Health, Dr. Paz is a cardiologist at White Plains Hospital, part of the Montefiore Health System.