Allergies Versus Colds: What Do You Have?

Brought to you by U.S. Food and Drug Administration

If you suffer from sneezing, runny noses, or itchy eyes, you might think you have a cold. Instead, it could be an allergy. When you come across something you’re allergic to, your body reacts by producing chemicals that cause the sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes. People can be allergic to many different things, such as:

• Pollen
• Dust mites
• Animal dandruff
• Mold
• Foods
• Drugs

Hay Fever
About 35 million Americans suffer from hay fever (pollen allergy), making it one of the most common kinds of allergies. Pollen is made by trees, grasses and weeds. During the spring, summer and fall some plants release pollen into the air. Your symptoms might be different at different times of the year — it all depends on the kinds of plants that grow where you live and what allergies you have.

Symptoms of Hay Fever

• Sneezing
• Runny or clogged nose
• Coughing
• Itchy eyes, nose and throat
• Watery eyes
• Red, swollen eyes

Why do some people have allergies and hay fever?
No one is sure what causes allergies. However, you’re more likely to have hay fever if your parents have it.

What kinds of tests check for allergies?

• Skin tests: Your doctor may use a needle to put a small amount of allergen into your skin. After a few minutes, the reaction signifies if you’re allergic.
• Blood tests: Your doctor may use a blood test to look for a protein in your blood called IgE, which helps fight certain types of infection. This protein is made by people with allergies and hay fever.

Both tests look for certain disease-fighting cells (antibodies). Your body makes these cells to match whatever it is fighting. Therefore, your antibodies tell doctors your specific allergens.

How are allergies and hay fever treated?
Your doctor can help you decide what to do. You can:

• Avoid the things that cause your symptoms
• Use medicines
• Get allergy shots

Allergy shots contain small amounts of your allergens. At first, shots may be given every week to lessen your symptoms and are usually continued for 3 to 5 years.

Hay Fever vs. Colds

	Hay Fever	Colds
Signs	Running or stuffed nose, sneezing, wheezing, itchy and watery eyes	Fever, aches and pains, stuffed nose, sneezing and watery eyes
Warning Time	Symptoms begin right away	Symptoms usually take a few days to start
Duration	Symptoms last as long as you are around the allergen	Symptoms should clear up within a week

To learn more, visit www.fda.gov.