By OTCsafety.org
A runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, cough, and sore throat are common when the seasons change — but are your child’s symptoms caused by the common cold or seasonal allergies?
The Common Cold vs. Allergies
The common cold is caused by viruses that get into the cells lining the nose, pharynx, and bronchi. The body’s immune system reacts to these viruses in that it opens up blood vessels and increases mucus secretion. This leads to the common cold symptoms including stuffy nose, sore throat, and cough.
Allergies are a disease of the immune system that cause an overreaction to substances that usually cause no reaction in non-allergic individuals. One of the most common forms of allergies is allergic rhinitis (AR) caused by an allergic reaction in the nose and sinuses that may occur only at certain times of the year (seasonal) or year round (perennial).
To understand the difference between allergies and a cold and how to treat your child’s symptoms with an over-the-counter medicine, review the checklist below:
