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An itchy or runny nose, sneezing and watery eyes are all common symptoms of a cold. However, if your symptoms linger for more than seven days, you may be dealing with a different problem. Allergies or a sinus infection can both cause frequent sneezing, congestion and discharge from your nostrils. But which is it? Try the allergies or sinus infection quiz at the top to find out.
Both allergies and a sinus infection involve the same general set of circumstances: You contract an illness that inflames your nasal passages. However, each condition has its own set of characteristics that help determine which one you might have. If you’re reading this because you think that you might have one of these conditions, keep reading to learn more about how they differ.
Allergies vs sinus infection
The main difference between allergies and a sinus infection is the cause. A sinus infection is caused when bacteria or viruses get into your nasal passages and create infection, swelling and mucus in the process. A cold will typically last 7 to 10 days and is often the result of a seasonal flu that has spread to your nasal passages. A cold will often cause a mix of symptoms, including a runny or stuffy nose, watery eyes, a cough and a sore throat. A cold is not caused by an allergic reaction, but allergies are caused by an immune response to an allergen, such as pollen or dust.
Symptom comparison
- A stuffy nose: If you have allergies, you’ll notice that one side of your nose is consistently stuffier than the other. If you have a cold, both sides will be stuffy. A sinus infection will cause your nose to be stuffy all around. - A runny nose: If you have allergies, you’ll have a runny nose. If you have a cold, you’ll have a runny nose, sometimes with some yellow or green mucus. - A cough: A cold will cause a cough, while allergies will cause a cough. A sinus infection will also cause a cough, but it will be a dry cough that doesn’t produce mucus.
Tackling your runny nose with over-the-counter treatments
If you have allergies, there are some over-the-counter treatments that can help reduce your symptoms. - Nasal sprays: Nasal sprays can help reduce inflammation and swelling in your nostrils. A lot of them also contain decongestants that can help you breathe more easily. - Antihistamines: Antihistamines can help reduce your runny nose and other allergy symptoms. - Eye drops: You might also want to get eye drops to help with watery eyes. If you have a sinus infection, you might want to contact a doctor at this point. They can prescribe antibiotics and other medications that will help clear up your infection faster. If you don’t see any improvement after a couple of weeks, you should probably see a doctor.
Conclusion
Whether you have allergies or a cold, you should be sure to take care of your symptoms to avoid spreading them to other people. If you have allergies, try to avoid allergens as much as possible and clean your hands often. If you have a cold, try to stay hydrated and get as much rest as possible.