What is the difference between cold symptoms and an allergic reaction?
The symptoms of a common cold include sneezing, runny nose, nasal obstruction, sore or scratchy throat, cough, hoarseness, and mild general symptoms like headache, feverishness, chilliness, and not feeling well in general. These same symptoms are can be present on allergic reactions, but depending on the type of allergy they are accompanied with: -Skin rashes, eruptions, itching, redness, crusting and so on. -Swelling of the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, etc (very dangerous, in some cases people can’t breathe). -Bloodshot red eyes and/or very watery. -Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes bloody). -The worst cases can cause shocks and seizures. So in some cases a minor reaction allergy may be confused with a common cold, thus is very important to make a general check of the patient (skin, eyes, note swellings, combined sysmptoms). When in doubt always call a doctor.