The quick test
| Hay fever | Cold | |
|---|---|---|
| Itchy, watery eyes | Very common | Rare |
| Runny nose | Clear and watery | Clear at first, then thicker |
| Sneezing | In fits, often in the morning | Now and then |
| Sore throat | Itchy rather than sore | Often the first sign |
| Temperature or aches | No | Sometimes |
| How long it lasts | As long as the pollen does, often weeks | About a week to ten days |
| When it happens | Spring and summer, worse on dry, sunny days | Any time, most often in autumn and winter |
The biggest clue: itchy eyes
Colds rarely make your eyes itch. If your eyes are itchy and watering along with sneezing, an allergy is much more likely. An itchy roof of the mouth or itchy ears point the same way.
Hay fever also follows the weather. Symptoms are worse on warm, dry, breezy days and ease when it rains. A cold doesn’t care about the weather.
Check your symptoms against the forecast
If you feel worse on the days pollen.ie shows Moderate or High for your county, and better on Low days, pollen is the likely cause. Tree pollen runs from February to May and grass pollen from late May to early August, so the time of year helps too.
Sneezing in winter is rarely pollen. Dust mites, mould and pets are the usual causes then, or a cold.
What helps
- For hay fever, a pharmacist can recommend antihistamine tablets, nasal sprays or eye drops. Many work best if you start them before your season begins.
- For a cold, rest, fluids and paracetamol if you need it. Antihistamines won’t shorten a cold.
- See your GP if you are wheezing, short of breath or have a tight chest, or if symptoms don’t settle.
Questions
Can hay fever give you a temperature?
No. Hay fever doesn’t cause a fever or body aches. If you have a temperature, it is more likely a cold, flu or another infection.
How long does hay fever last?
As long as you are exposed to the pollen you react to. For grass pollen in Ireland that is usually June and July. A cold usually clears in seven to ten days.
Can you have hay fever and a cold at the same time?
Yes. If a cold starts during your hay fever season, symptoms can overlap. A temperature, aches or a sore throat suggest the cold is the newer problem.
This is general information, not medical advice. If you are worried about symptoms, talk to your pharmacist or GP.