Hay Fever: 5 Ways to Know When It's Not a Cold

Seasonal allergies and colds share some common symptoms, so it may be hard to tell the two apart.

Both conditions typically involve sneezing, a runny nose and congestion. There are some differences, though. Additionally, colds usually include coughing and a sore throat, but these symptoms can also occur in people with hay fever who have post-nasal drip. Itchy eyes are common for seasonal allergies, but rare for colds.

"Colds and seasonal allergies seem very similar in many ways," said Dr. Rima Rachid, director of allergen immunotherapy at Boston Children's Hospital. "It's the duration [length] and chronicity [frequency] of symptoms that might help tell the difference," she explained. Read more...