Family Health Matters

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Cold or Allergy: Can You Tell the Difference?

Sneezing, coughing, a runny nose: It’s spring, so you figure your daughter has allergies. You want to give her something to help her feel better. But does she have an allergy – or could it be a cold?

“It can be hard for parents to tell the difference between allergies and colds because they have some of the same symptoms,” says Susan E. Pacheco, M.D., a pediatric allergist/immunologist on staff at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and assistant professor at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston.

Recognizing the Signs

Symptoms of both colds and allergies include:

• A runny or stuffy nose
• Sneezing
• A sore throat
• A cough
• Fatigue or weakness

Also, kids with a cold may have body aches. Children with allergies may have itchy eyes. A fever, though, is not generally a symptom of allergies. And while youngsters with colds may suffer for a few days to a week, allergies can last far longer.

How long a child has allergies depends on what he’s allergic to. “Allergies can be seasonal, but unfortunately in some children, they can last all year,” says Dr. Pacheco.

Helping Your Child Feel Better

What can you do to help? Treat allergies only under a doctor’s supervision, says Dr. Pacheco. Your physician may recommend antihistamines, nasal steroids or decongestants. Children should avoid allergy triggers as best they can.

Treating a cold may be more challenging. Dr. Pacheco notes that the U.S. Food and

Drug Administration recently recommended that over-the counter cough and cold products not be used to treat infants and children younger than 2 years because of the risk of serious side effects. The FDA is still reviewing data for children ages 2 to 11.

“I know from experience that it’s difficult, but when a child has a cold, parents should be patient and wait until their child gets better,” says Dr. Pacheco. “There’s no magic medicine.” But, Dr. Pacheco adds, using a humidifier to add moisture to the air can ease congestion and a sore throat. Saline washes, which remove nasal secretions, also can help children breathe easier.

To help prevent colds, encourage your child to wash her hands often – or carry a hand-sanitizing gel.