Is it a cold or just allergies? How to tell the difference as NC spring nears
As spring allergy nears in North Carolina, many people may find it difficult to tell whether their symptoms are caused by allergies or a lingering cold, flu or strep throat.
Sneezing, congestion and fatigue can all show up with these conditions, leaving many people wondering whether they’re fighting a virus or reacting to pollen, but there are some key differences.
Here’s what you need to know.
Is it allergies or sickness?
Dr. Neeta Ogden, an allergist with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, told The Charlotte Observer one key difference between allergies and illness is how long symptoms last.
“A big difference between colds and allergies is that colds tend to be self-limited, lasting for seven to 10 days, while allergies tend to come and go for weeks or even months,” Ogden said. Because symptoms can overlap, people sometimes mistake allergies for repeated colds. “With allergy you might think ‘wait, didn’t I just have a cold?’” she said.
Both conditions can cause sore throat, fatigue, headaches, nasal congestion and a runny nose, which adds to the confusion. But infections like the flu or a cold often come with more systemic symptoms, Ogden said, such as fever, chills and muscle aches.
“Flu in particular has high fever,” she noted, while strep throat may cause severe throat pain and visibly inflamed tonsils with white patches — something “not typical with allergy.”
Allergies also have their own telltale signs. “With allergies you might have more itch — itchy nose, ears, eyes or skin — which are pretty much a hallmark of allergy,” Ogden said.
What causes spring allergies?
The biggest cause of spring allergies is pollen, according to WebMD.
In spring, trees, grasses and weeds release tiny grains of pollen into the air to fertilize other plants. When they enter your nose, your immune system can mistake the pollen for a danger and release antibodies that attack the allergens.
This often leads to the release of histamines into your blood, which can trigger allergy symptoms like:
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Itchy eyes and nose
- Dark circles under the eyes
When is pollen the worst in North Carolina?
The highest pollen counts are usually recorded between the last week of March and the second week of April, The News & Observer reported.
The pollen season has already begun in central and eastern North Carolina: “Pollen levels are already elevated and will move into high levels later this week and into the weekend,” NC Weather Authority shared over social media this week.
How to reduce your exposure to allergy triggers
To prepare for spring, Ogden recommended starting allergy medications about two weeks before the season begins, which is typically early to mid-March in North Carolina.
She also advised checking pollen counts regularly and working with a health care provider to make a treatment plan.
Common treatments include antihistamines, nasal steroid or antihistamine sprays, saline nasal rinses and allergy eye drops, Ogden said. People with allergic asthma may also need inhalers and should make sure their medications are up to date.
During allergy season, Ogden said it’s important to reduce pollen exposure by limiting time outdoors on high-pollen days, showering before bed and keeping windows closed at home or in the car.
“It’s a lot about reducing exposure and staying on top of your symptoms,” she said.
There are other steps you can take to reduce your exposure to things that trigger your allergy symptoms, according to Mayo Clinic:
- Stay inside on dry, windy days. The best time to go outside is after it rains, when pollen is cleared from the air.
- Shower after spending time outside to rinse pollen from your skin and hair.
- Wear a pollen mask if you decide to do chores outside.
- Avoid outdoor activities in the early morning when pollen counts are highest.
- Close your doors and windows at night or when pollen counts are high.
- Start taking allergy medications before your symptoms appear.
Over-the-counter remedies for allergies
According to Mayo Clinic, many types of nonprescription medications can help ease allergy symptoms. They include:
- Oral antihistamines to relieve sneezing, itching, runny nose and watery eyes like Claritin, Alavert, Zyrtec Allergy and Allegra Allergy
- Decongestants to provide relief from nasal stuffiness like Sudafed and Afrinol
- Nasal spray to ease allergy symptoms
- Some OTC medications like Claritin-D and Allegra-D that combine an antihistamine with a decongestant
How to keep the air inside your house allergen-free
It’s impossible to eliminate all the allergens from the air in your home, Mayo Clinic says, but these methods can help reduce them:
- Use high-efficiency filters in your air conditioning unit and follow regular maintenance schedules.
- Keep indoor air dry with a dehumidifier.
- Use a portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your bedroom.
- Use a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA air filter.
Portions of this story were previously published in The Charlotte Observer.
This story was originally published March 5, 2026 at 8:16 AM.
