Summer Allergies vs. Summer Cold: How to Tell the Difference

When you start sneezing, sniffling, or nursing a scratchy throat in the middle of July, it’s easy to assume it’s your allergies acting up. Most people think colds only happen during the winter, but summer colds occur and can throw a wrench in your plans just like allergies can.

Many of the symptoms of allergies and colds overlap. A runny nose, congestion, sneezing, and even a sore throat can develop with either one. That makes it hard to know what you’re dealing with, especially when all you want is to get better and enjoy your summer. 

Whether it’s allergies, a virus, or something else entirely, the team at Integrative Primary Care is trained to get to the bottom of your symptoms and help you feel better. In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to tell the difference between summer allergies and a summer cold, what causes each, and how we can help you manage your symptoms.

What causes summer allergies?

Summer allergies are often triggered by environmental allergens like grass pollen, weeds, mold spores, or pet dander. When your immune system mistakenly identifies one of these as harmful, it kicks into high gear, releasing histamines that cause symptoms such as:

• Sneezing
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Post-nasal drip
• Itchy throat or ears

Allergy symptoms tend to last as long as you’re exposed to the allergen, and they often follow a pattern. For example, if your symptoms flare up every time you go for a walk in the park or mow the lawn, that’s a good clue that allergies are to blame.

What is a summer cold?

Colds are caused by viruses and can hit during the summer months too. Summer colds often spread through close contact, especially in air-conditioned environments like offices, gyms, or public transport. Unlike allergies, a cold is contagious and usually comes on suddenly.

Common signs of a summer cold include:

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Mild fever or body aches
• Fatigue

Summer colds usually clear up in a week or so. Unlike allergies, they are often accompanied by a low-grade fever or general soreness, which you typically don’t get with allergies.

How to spot the difference

Allergies and colds can both cause sneezing, congestion, and fatigue. But there are key differences that can help you figure out which one you’re dealing with:

How it starts 

Allergy symptoms come on gradually and last for as long as you’re exposed to your triggers, like pollen or dust. You may notice symptoms flare up when outdoors or when cleaning your home. A cold, on the other hand, comes on more suddenly. One day you feel fine, the next you’re reaching for tissues and tea.

Fever and body aches 

If you’re running a fever or have body aches, it’s probably not allergies. These are signs of an infection, and they point more toward a viral summer cold. Allergies don’t cause fever.

Itchy eyes and nose 

Allergies often make your eyes and nose itchy, something colds usually don’t do. If your main issue is itchiness and sneezing fits, allergies may be to blame.

Mucus color 

Clear mucus is more common with allergies. Thicker, yellow, or green mucus is more likely with a cold.

Duration

Colds tend to run their course in about 7–10 days. Allergy symptoms can last for weeks, or even months if you’re regularly exposed to allergens.

Why getting the right diagnosis matters

Getting the diagnosis wrong can slow down your recovery, and make your symptoms worse. If you assume you have a cold and load up on cold medicine when it’s allergies, you may not get much relief. 

On the flip side, if you brush it off as allergies but it’s a cold, or something more serious, you risk spreading it to others or not treating it properly. There’s also the risk of waiting too long. A lingering cold might develop into a sinus infection. Untreated allergies can turn into chronic sinus issues or worsen asthma. 

At Integrative Primary Care, we tackle allergies, by pinpointing your specific triggers and offer treatment options like antihistamines, nasal sprays, or allergy testing and immunotherapy if needed. 

For colds, we ensure it’s not something more serious and provide supportive care to help you recover quickly. Schedule an appointment with us today if you’ve been stuck on the couch with a box of tissues, rather than soaking up the sun.