Colds and allergies can share similar symptoms, like runny nose, sneezing, and fatigue, but they’re actually very different conditions.
Here’s how to tell the difference between a cold and an allergy, so you can get the proper treatment, according to Clifford Bassett, MD, Allergist at NYU Langone Health and author of the book The New Allergy Solution.
Dr. Bassett is an allergist and clinical assistant professor of medicine at New York University School of Medicine and on the teaching faculty at Weill Cornell Medical College.
References
American Osteopathic Association. (n.d.). Sorting out seasonal allergies.
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2022). Common cold.
Why trust our experts?

Written by:
Lauren Smith, MALauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.

Reviewed by:
Mandy Armitage, MDMandy Armitage, MD, has combined clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.
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