Getting a cold is one of the most frustrating things. You have to deal with a runny nose and a constant series of sneezing. Moreover, a cold may be accompanied by a cough or vice versa. It makes things worse when you have to go to school or office. You may end up contaminating the workplace and infecting a whole lot of other people. We sometimes confuse an allergy for a cold as an allergy too causes congestion in the nose and leads to a runny nose. If you are sneezing and coughing, the first thought that comes to mind is a cold.

Similar cold and allergy symptoms
An allergy occurs when the immune system has an adverse reaction to a substance or a series of substances. When you are exposed to an allergy trigger (which varies from person to person), your immune system releases histamines. The release of histamines to counter an allergen leads to the symptoms of an allergy. While allergies and colds do share some common symptoms, they are entirely different.

• Watery eyes
• Nasal congestion
• A runny nose
• A sore throat
• Coughing
• Sneezing

A common cold may cause some other symptoms, but it is not accompanied by rashes on the skin or a sensation of itchy eyes. Over 50 million Americans experience allergies every single year. Some of the most common allergens in the country are tree grass and weed pollen. These are seasonal allergens and may be difficult to detect at times. Other year-round allergens include the following:

• Certain food items like eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, and milk
• Dust mite
• Animal saliva or dander (house pets like cats or dogs may cause this)
• Mold

If you are suffering from cold or allergy symptoms, visit a doctor immediately to figure out whether it is caused due to a cold or due to an allergen. It is best to determine what you are allergic to as soon as possible to avoid going through these episodes on a regular basis.