Diagnosing allergies, especially in children, can be difficult. Young children can't always explain how they feel or what symptoms are bothering them.
In fact, allergy symptoms are so similar to the symptoms of common colds that it is easy to mistake one for the other. What seems to be a persistent cold might actually be allergies!
Careful observation and sometimes even allergy tests can be necessary to determine whether sneezes, runny noses and stuffiness are the result of a cold or an allergy. The table below identifies some common differences between allergies and colds.
Differences between allergies and colds:
| Symptom | Allergy | Cold | |||
 |
Duration | Weeks or months | About a week |  |
|
| Nasal discharge | Clear and thin | Thick, yellow or green | |||
| Cough | Rare | Dry or hacking | |||
| Sneezing | Frequent, brings no relief | Brings relief | |||
| Fever | No | Sometimes | |||
| Muscle aches | No | Sometimes | |||
| Change of location | May bring relief | No benefits | |||
| Contagious | No | Yes | |||
| Nasal congestion | Sometimes | Yes |
Understanding the Impact of Allergies On Your Child
