Hay fever or Cold: How to Tell the Difference

When you’re sneezing, congested, and feeling run down, it can be hard to know whether you’ve caught a common cold or if hay fever is flaring up. Although the symptoms often overlap, there are some important differences that can help you identify the cause — and find the right treatment.

At AllergyRhino, our expert team specialises in diagnosing and treating allergies at their root cause. Here’s how you can distinguish hay fever from a cold and why it matters for your long-term health.

What Causes Each Condition?

Hay fever (Allergic Rhinitis) Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen from trees, grasses, or weeds. When pollen enters the nose, eyes, or throat, your immune system mistakenly treats it as harmful, releasing histamine that causes symptoms.

Common Cold A cold is caused by a viral infection, most often rhinoviruses. It spreads from person to person and triggers your immune system to fight off the infection.

Key Differences Between Hay fever and Cold Symptoms

Symptom	Hay fever	Cold
Sneezing	Frequent, sudden, often in bursts	Present, but less intense
Nasal Discharge	Clear, watery mucus	Thicker, yellow/green as infection progresses
Itchy Eyes/Nose/Throat	Very common – hallmark of allergies	Rare
Fever	Never	Sometimes mild
Duration	Weeks or months, depending on pollen exposure	7–10 days
Seasonality	Peaks in spring and summer (or autumn for weeds)	Year-round, more common in winter
Sneezing	Frequent, sudden, often in bursts	Present, but less intense

When to Suspect Hay fever

• Your symptoms are worse outdoors, especially on warm, dry, or windy days.

• You notice itchy, watery eyes along with nasal congestion.

• Symptoms persist longer than 10 days without improving.

• You have a history of allergies or notice family members with similar issues.

  
  

Why the Difference Matters

• Colds resolve with rest, hydration, and over-the-counter remedies.

• Hayfever needs a different approach. Antihistamines can help short-term, but they don’t treat the root cause. For many people, symptoms return every pollen season and significantly impact daily life.

  
  

Finding the Right Treatment

If you notice your symptoms follow a seasonal pattern (like spring and summer) or persist beyond the 10-day duration typical of a cold, hayfever is the likely culprit.

At Allergy Rhino, we specialise in allergy immunotherapy (also known as desensitisation). This is the only treatment proven to target the underlying cause of hayfever by gradually training your immune system to become tolerant to pollen.

Through sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) – tiny daily and consistent doses taken with a liquid spray – patients experience fewer symptoms, reduced reliance on antihistamines, and long-lasting relief even after treatment ends.

Many patients notice:

• Noticeable relief in 3–6 months

• Up to 70% fewer symptoms after 1 year

• Lasting freedom from allergies after 3 years of therapy

When to See an Allergy Specialist

You should seek professional help if:

• Your “colds” keep returning at the same time every year.

• You experience persistent itchy eyes, throat, or nose.

• Symptoms interfere with your sleep, work, school or daily life.

• You want to reduce or stop using daily antihistamines.

Our expert team of consultants and allergists, trained at leading institutions like the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford and King’s College London, can provide tailored treatment plans.

Take Back Control Over Allergies

If you’re struggling to tell whether your symptoms are hayfever or just a cold, the answer could transform your quality of life. Don’t let seasonal allergies keep disrupting your days — the right treatment can make summers enjoyable again.

Take the First Step

👉 Try our quick “Am I Eligible?” quiz to see if immunotherapy could be right for you.

👉 Speak to one of our partner pharmacies for a free consultation.

Don’t let hay fever control your summers year after year. With the right treatment, lasting relief is possible.