How do I know if it's allergies or just a cold? Dr. Mallika Marshall answers your questions
BOSTON - Dr. Mallika Marshall is answering your latest health questions. If you have a question, email her or message her on Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter).
Jackson in Weston says, "I have a stuffy nose, headache and dry cough. I don't know if it's my allergies or just a cold. How can I tell?"
Stuffy or runny nose and sneezing are typical symptoms of both seasonal allergies and the common cold. But people with a cold usually feel sicker. They may have a fever, sore throat, fatigue, headache, and a bad cough.
People with allergies tend to have more itchiness like itchy eyes, itchy throat, or itchy nose, and tend to develop the symptoms around the same time each year. If you have a stuffy nose, headache, and cough without any itching, you're more likely to have a cold than seasonal allergies.
Dr. Mallika is offering her best advice, but as always, consult your personal doctor before making any decisions about your personal health.