According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), many symptoms of the common cold could actually be signs of allergies.

Anju Peters, M.D., Chair of the AAAAI's Rhinosinusitis Commmittee, says, ‘Millions of Americans think they are suffering from a cold during the winter months when they're acutally experiencing allergies.’

Dr. Peters describes the reason for the difficulty in distinguishing between cold and allergy symptoms:

‘Cold and allergy symptoms can be very similar, making it hard to decipher a difference between the two. The main difference is the length of time symptoms last. A cold normally disappears after a week or so, but allergies can last much longer. In order to receive proper diagnosis and treatment, it is important to differentiate between a cold and allergies.’

A runny or stuffed nose, wheezing, coughing, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, post nasal drip, and a dull headache are common to both a cold and allergies. Fever, body aches, and sore throat lasting up to a couple of weeks are indicative of a cold.

While a cold is a condition that just requires a bit of time to clear up, allergies do necessitate treatment. Allergies are caused by exposure to allergens, which include dust mites, pets, pollen, and mold. Environmental control is critical in the treatment of allergies.

Depending on the type of allergens present in your home environment, allergy relief products such as dust must encasings for your bedroom, air purifiers, and special cleaning products can help stave off allergic reactions. Products to combat cat dander and other pet-related allergens are also useful in minimizing exposures that could trigger allergy attacks.