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What is the difference between a cold & an allergy?
As a general rule, colds will usually clear themselves up within a two-week period. Symptoms can be similar to those associated with hay fever, i.e. the runny nose, the sneezing, the watery eyes, but there are some important differences that will help you to determine whether or not you are suffering from a common cold or are a victim of hay fever and seasonal allergies. Colds often include a temperature, body aches and pains, loss of appetite and coughing. They generally lack the itchy feeling in the nose, eyes and face associated with hay fever. Colds also tend to occur at random times throughout the year. Hay fever, on the other hand, is very much seasonal and your allergy symptoms will coincide with whatever pollen is in the air. So, if you cannot decide if you have a cold or are suffering from hay fever, ask yourself a few simple questions. Do you have a temperature? Does your body ache? Are you tired or lethargic? If the answers are yes, then chances are you are suffering from a cold. If you have the itching eyes and nose, no fever, no loss of appetite, no body aches, no coughing and the symptoms last for the length of the hay fever season, then it is likely you are suffering from seasonal allergies. If you are in any doubt, go and see your GP.
Read more in the Allergies Information Guide »
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Allergies Information Guide
- HAY FEVER
- Symptoms of Hay Fever
- Tests for Hay Fever
- Treatment for Hay Fever
- Lifetyle changes with Hay Fever
- Eye Drops for Hay Fever
- Nasal Sprays for Hay Fever
- Pollen Count & Hay Fever
- Antihistamines for Hay Fever
- Decongestants for Hay Fever
- Steroids for Hay Fever
- Mast Cell Inhibitors for Hay Fever
- Immunotherapy Injections for Hay Fever
- Homeopathy for Hay Fever
- Pregnancy, Breast Feeding & Hay Fever
- FOOD ALLERGY
- Gluten Allergy
- Nut Allergy
- Soya Allergy
- Egg Allergy
- Fish & Shellfish Allergy
- Allergies to Food Additives
- Dairy Product Allergies
- Food Intolerance
- Milk Allergy/Lactose Intolerance
- Sesame Allergy
- Dust Allergy
- Allergic Contact Dermatitis
- Insect Sting Allergy
- Animal Dander Allergy
- Aspirin Allergy
- Hair Dye Allergy
- Nickel Allergy
- Rubber Latex Allergy
- Sun Allergy
- Food Packaging & Safe Foods
- Food Allergies in Children
- Oral Allergy Syndrome
- Testing for Allergies
- Treatment for Allergies
- Allergic Response Emergency
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