Do you have hay fever or a cold?

While hay fever and a common cold share a lot in common in terms of their main symptoms, they are different in nature. It’s important to know what you are dealing with so you can find the right treatment for your condition.

Hay fever vs. cold symptoms

There are a few key symptoms that can help you set the two apart. Allergies, including hay fever, can cause itchy and watery eyes, swelling around the eyes and clear discharge from your nose. On the other hand, the symptoms of a common cold develop slowly over time and can be often linked with cough, sore throat and fever (quite rare).^1,2

Hay fever and a common cold are different in their symptoms, causes, duration and treatment^1,2,3

 

Hay fever

Common cold

 

Symptoms

 

• Makes eyes itchy, watery and irritable
• Does not cause fever

 

• Does not typically affect the eyes
• May cause fever but quite rare

 

Causes

 An allergen, such as pollen, dust, mould or animal dander

 A virus

 

Onset of symptoms

 Almost immediately

 Gradually

 

Lasts for

 For as long as you are exposed to the allergen

 Usually 10 days or less

 

Common Treatments

 Antihistamine tablets, nasal sprays, decongestants, saline sprays and immunotherapy.

 Rest, water and over-thecounter medicines

Symptoms

Hay fever

 

• Makes eyes itchy, watery and irritable
• Does not cause fever

Common cold

 

• Does not typically affect the eyes
• May cause fever but quite rare

Causes

Hay fever

 

• An allergen, such as pollen, dust, mould or animal dander

Common cold

 

• A virus

Onset of symptoms

Hay fever

 

• Almost immediately

Gradually

 

• A virus

Lasts for

Hay fever

 

• For as long as you are exposed to the allergen

Common cold

 

• Usually 10 days or less

Treatment

Hay fever

 

• Antihistamine tablets, nasal sprays, decongestants, saline sprays and immunotherapy.

Common cold

 

• Rest, water and over-thecounter medicines

Hay fever is caused by an allergy. When you have an allergy, your immune system may overreact to triggers, such as pollens, dust mites, moulds or animal dander, and cause unpleasant symptoms.⁴

A common cold, on the other hand, is caused by a virus. When you get a cold, your body responds by producing antibodies against the virus that caused it.¹

How long does a cold and hay fever last?

One of the main differences between hay fever and a cold is how long your symptoms persist. A cold usually lasts 10 days or less, and most people recover on their own without medical care or with over-the-counter medicines.¹

Hay fever symptoms can last as long as you’re exposed to the trigger, or allergen. This could be the entire pollen season or throughout the year. The symptoms of hay fever can also be disruptive to daily activities, and you may need medications and/or avoidance strategies.^1,2

Treatment options

To treat a cold, it is recommended that you get good rest, drink plenty of water and use over-the-counter medicines to help relieve fever, headache and sore throat.¹

To treat hay fever, there are several medication options, including:^1,5

• Antihistamine tablets, syrups or nasal sprays
• Corticosteroid (anti-inflammatory) nasal sprays
• Combination medicines e.g., an antihistamine and a corticosteroid nasal spray
• Eye drops
• Decongestant nasal sprays (may help clear a blocked nose but should not be used for more than a few days at a time.)
• Saline washes
• Allergen immunotherapy

Everybody responds to an allergen differently so a treatment plan that works for someone else may not work for you. It is important to speak to your doctor or pharmacist and come up with a plan that’s right for you if you suffer from hay fever.