Many people have trouble differentiating between the symptoms of a cold and those of seasonal allergies. After all, the symptoms are very similar. You know, the itchy, watery eyes, the running nose. And you can’t forget the dry hacking cough.

Even so, there is a simple way to distinguish between allergies and a cold. Quite simply, allergies will start with a particular season, most often spring when pollen is in the air, and a cold will go away. I know that’s not some high-tech way of knowing the difference, but it’s really kind of all we’ve got.

Luckily, there are plenty of allergy medications on the market that can ease your symptoms. Talk to your doctor before starting any new medicine.

Tags: Cold or Allergies