How do I know if I have allergies or just a cold?

There are several symptoms to consider to ensure that you have allergies and not a cold:

• You are sneezing in rapid, repeated sequences
• Your nose, ears and throat (especially the roof of your mouth) are itchy
• You do not have a fever or achy muscles
• Your mucosal secretions are clear and runny
• Your symptoms are lasting longer than 10 days

If you’re still not convinced, naturopathic physicians – commonly referred to as naturopaths – can perform skin or blood tests to confirm whether you are allergic to something.