Ah, you can smell the changing seasons in the air. Can you smell it? No?
You might be one of the millions who dread the changing seasons because colds, allergies, and sinus problems can pop up like daisies and dandelions—leaving you sneezing and sniffling.To keep you and your family healthy, it's always best to treat symptoms at the first sign of illness. However, if your symptoms persist, you might be dealing with allergies or sinus problems.
So when the sniffling hits, how will you know if it's a cold, allergies, or a sinus problem?
First, ask yourself a few questions:
- How long have you had your symptoms? A cold usually lasts about a week.
- Do you have a fever? While allergies can produce a low-grade fever, they never are accompanied by a high fever (more than 100 degrees).
- Do you have a headache? Are you sniffling or congested, or do you feel pressure around the eyes? This could be a sign of sinus problems.
Then, check this list of common symptoms and how frequently they occur with colds, allergies, and sinus problems, according to experts at the Stanford University Medical Center. Be sure to speak with your doctor about your own symptoms to see if you have allergies or sinus problems.
View common symptoms in list form.
| Symptoms | Allergy | Cold | Sinus Problem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Runny nose/ sniffling |
often | often | sometimes |
| Sneezing | often | sometimes | rarely |
| Itchy eyes | often | rarely | sometimes |
| Fever | sometimes low-grade |
often | rarely |
| Aches and pains |
sometimes | sometimes | rarely |
| Headache | sometimes | often | often |
| Cough | sometimes | often | rarely |
| Dizziness | sometimes | often | rarely |
| Hoarseness | sometimes | often | sometimes |
| Sore throat | often | often | often |
| Nasal congestion | often | often | often |
| Sinus pressure |
sometimes | sometimes | often |
| Recur at certain time(s) of year |
often | rarely | sometimes |
| Need for antibiotics |
no | no | sometimes |
| Warning time | symptoms occur after exposure to allergen |
gets worse over several days |
may get worse and be accompanied by an infection |
| How long does it last? |
as long as you're exposed to allergen |
usually about a week |
3 to 4 days |
