Learn how to tell the difference for your child's sake.

If your child is sneezing and sniffling through childhood, you may encounter a common dilemma: Is it allergic rhinitis (hay fever), or is it a cold? Young children have so many colds (from 6 to 12 a year) that sometimes it's tough to tell if it's allergies or a virus causing the sniffles. David Skoner, M.D., chief of allergy and immunology at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, offers up a few ways you can determine if it's a cold or allergies.

Weather in your inbox

Forecast Location

Sign Up

By signing up you agree to the Terms & Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Cold

Allergies

Duration

3 to 5 days (rarely more than 10)

2 to 3 weeks (or more)

Nose Symptoms

Colored or cloudy discharge.  Stuffiness.

Clear, waterlike sneezing and itchiness

Other Symptoms

Sore throat, fever.  Muscles aches and pains.

Red, itchy eyes

This chart may help, but the symptoms of colds and allergic rhinitis can often be so similar that you should let a pediatrician make the final call.