Sneezing, coughing, or a stuffy nose are frequent occurrences. While these are symptoms of the common cold, they are also the same symptoms of nasal allergies. However, nasal allergies are more likely to occur during the spring, while common colds may be more frequent in the winter.
Nevertheless, it is essential to know the difference between nasal allergies and the cold to choose the best medications that suit each case individually.
In the following lines, we provide a detailed explanation of the difference between nasal allergies and the cold, as well as the appropriate medications.
The Difference Between Nasal Allergies and the Cold
There is a fundamental difference between nasal allergies and the common cold in terms of the cause. When you catch a cold, it is the result of a virus entering the body, and there are hundreds of different types that can cause a cold.
Once the virus enters, the immune system launches a counterattack, leading to classic symptoms such as coughing or nasal congestion. These cold-causing viruses are contagious and can be transmitted through sneezing, coughing, or shaking hands with an infected person.
Within a few weeks at most, the immune system succeeds in fighting the disease, and symptoms are expected to stop.
Allergies, however, are a different story. Allergies occur due to an overactive immune system.
For some reason, your body mistakes harmless things—such as dust or pollen—for germs and begins to attack them. When this happens, the body releases chemicals like histamine, just as it does when fighting a cold.
This can cause swelling in the nasal passages, in addition to sneezing and coughing.
Unlike the common cold, nasal allergies are not contagious, although some people may have a genetic predisposition to them compared to others.
Common Cold Symptoms
The common cold is a mild infection of the upper respiratory tract that usually disappears spontaneously after a few days. It may be annoying and uncomfortable, but it usually will not cause you to stay in bed all day and does not require medical care.
While many respiratory viruses cause colds, there are distinctive symptoms of the disease, such as:
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Nasal congestion or runny nose.
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Sneezing.
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Coughing.
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Sore throat.
Depending on the virus causing your cold, you may also experience:
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Sinus pressure.
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Fatigue.
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Headache.
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Body aches.
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Low-grade fever (rare).
Nasal Allergy Symptoms
Allergies tend to cause itching and a sense of discomfort. When allergies primarily affect the nose, it is called "allergic rhinitis," whose symptoms include:
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Runny nose.
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Coughing.
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Congestion.
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Headache.
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Itching; especially in the nose and eyes.
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Sneezing.
Difference Between Cold and Nasal Allergy in Terms of Duration and Timing of Symptoms
There is still a clear difference between a cold and nasal allergies in the duration of symptoms and their onset, as shown in the following table:
|
Feature |
Common Cold |
Nasal Allergy |
|
Duration of Illness |
3 - 14 days. |
Days to months; as long as you are in contact with the allergy trigger, and even for a short period after the contact ends. |
|
When Does it Mostly Occur? |
Mostly in winter, but can occur at any time as well. |
Any time of the year, although some triggers appear seasonally, such as spring. |
|
When do Symptoms Start? |
Symptoms take a few days to appear after viral infection. |
Symptoms can start immediately after contact with allergy triggers. |
Precise Difference Between Nasal Allergy and Common Cold Symptoms
Despite the similarity of symptoms, there is a difference between nasal allergies and the common cold:
|
Symptom |
Common Cold |
Nasal Allergy |
|
Coughing |
Often |
Sometimes |
|
Fatigue |
Sometimes |
Sometimes |
|
Fever |
Rare |
Never occurs |
|
Itchy and Watery Eyes |
Rare |
Often |
|
Sore Throat |
Often |
Sometimes |
|
Runny or Stuffy Nose |
Often |
Often |
Can Allergies Turn Into a Cold?
Allergies do not turn into a cold, but if you have recurring allergies, you may be more susceptible to sinus infections. This is because allergies cause inflammation in the sinuses, making it difficult to drain mucus. Consequently, it becomes easy for bacteria to grow and cause a sinus infection.
Difference Between Treating Nasal Allergy and the Cold
There are some types of over-the-counter medications used to treat nasal allergies and the common cold, but there are other options for treating allergy-related symptoms, such as antihistamines and nasal sprays.
Shared Medications for Nasal Allergy and Cold
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Nasal Decongestants: Reduce swelling in the nose, making breathing easier, such as Oxymetazoline.
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First-Generation Antihistamines: Dry up mucus and also make you feel drowsy; they are often included in cold medications, such as Diphenhydramine and Chlorpheniramine.
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Oral Decongestants: Can reduce swelling in the nose but may cause side effects, such as difficulty sleeping; examples include Pseudoephedrine.
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Pain Relievers: Such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen, to reduce pain associated with allergies or the common cold.
Nasal Allergy Medications
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Nasal Steroid Sprays: Significantly reduce nasal allergy symptoms, such as Fluticasone and Mometasone.
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Second-Generation Antihistamines: Also reduce allergy symptoms without making you tired, such as Loratadine and Cetirizine.
Cold (cough) Medications
Some cold medications focus on reducing coughing and are unlikely to be useful for allergy cases, such as:
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Cough Suppressants: Such as Dextromethorphan, which treats a dry cough.
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Expectorants: Such as Guaifenesin, which treats a wet cough by thinning the mucus in the throat and chest.
Medications for Treating Colds and Nasal Allergies from the Pharmacy
AlJawaher AlMotamayza pharmacies provide a group of Cold, cough and allergy medications, effective medications for treating colds and nasal allergies, but it is recommended to consult a doctor to choose what accurately suits you based on your symptoms, especially since some symptoms of colds and nasal allergies may overlap:
Medications for Colds and Nasal Allergies
1. Xylomet Nasal Drops for Adults 15 ml – Nasal Decongestant:
Xylomet nasal drops contain the active ingredient "Xylometazoline Hydrochloride," which relieves nasal congestion, making it an effective medication for nasal allergies and colds, but it must be used for a limited period according to the doctor's instructions.
2. Panadol Cold & Flu
Panadol Cold & Flu contains three active ingredients:
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Paracetamol (pain reliever).
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Chlorpheniramine (first-generation antihistamine that reduces allergy symptoms).
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Pseudoephedrine (decongestant that reduces nasal congestion).
Nasal Allergy Medications
1. Avalon Avocom Nasal Spray:
Avalon Avocom spray contains the active ingredient "Mometasone Furoate," a corticosteroid that effectively reduces nasal allergy symptoms.
2. Deslor 5 mg 20 Tablets:
Deslor contains the active ingredient "Desloratadine," a fast-acting second-generation antihistamine that does not cause drowsiness and reduces allergy symptoms.
Cold Medications (Cough)
1. Dextrocough Syrup:
Dextrocough contains the active ingredient "Dextromethorphan," a cough suppressant, making it a suitable option for treating dry coughs associated with colds.
2. Guaphan Syrup - 100 ml
Guaphan Syrup Contains the active ingredient "Guaifenesin," an expectorant that helps treat wet coughs associated with colds by reducing mucus viscosity.
Tips for Preventing Nasal Allergies and the Cold
The method of preventing nasal allergies differs from the common cold. To prevent allergies, focus on identifying allergy triggers and avoiding them as much as possible.
For example, if you are sensitive to dust, cover pillows and mattresses with special dust-resistant covers, or if pollen causes your allergies, keep your windows closed during the spring.
As for preventing colds or reducing the chances of infection, it requires:
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Focusing on good hygiene, such as frequent hand washing.
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Staying up to date with vaccines used for prevention.
When Should You Visit a Doctor?
It is always best to consult a doctor to find the best ways to treat nasal allergies or colds, especially in case of:
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Experiencing symptoms for the first time.
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Symptoms gradually worsening.
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Feeling pain in other areas of the body.
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Inability to perform basic tasks due to severe illness.
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Symptoms appearing after an injury or exposure to an irritant.
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Symptoms not improving with allergy or cold medications.
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Symptoms persisting for several days without improvement.
