If you’ve recently found yourself coughing and spluttering, or feeling particularly sneezy and headachy, it could be hay fever. But it could also be a common cold.

These two sniffly problems come with very similar symptoms, so it can sometimes be hard to tell them apart. But don’t worry – we’re here to help you understand your sniffly symptoms so you can make an informed decision on what might be causing it and choose the appropriate treatment.

Keep reading to discover the key differences between hay fever and the common cold, as well as some self-care tips that cover both. So, let’s start by taking a look at each of them separately.

What is hay fever?

Hay fever refers to an allergic reaction to tiny particles in the air called allergens.¹

Pollen from trees, grass and weeds (seasonal allergies), dust mites, pet dander, mould and cockroach droppings are all allergens that commonly cause hay fever.^1,2

What is a cold?

The common cold, on the other hand, is an infection of your upper respiratory system that affects your nose, throat and sinuses.^3,4

As its name suggests, the common cold is very common, with most adults catching between two and four colds every year.⁵

Colds are caused by viruses that are spread from person to person. There are more than 200 viruses that cause a cold, but the most common are a group called rhinoviruses.⁴

little boy with brown eyes and hair in yellow t shirt and blue overalls blowing nose into a tissue

The differences between hay fever and a cold

Whether it’s a blocked nose, sore throat or headache, hay fever and colds can cause very similar symptoms. However, some key factors can help you tell the difference, which we’ve outlined for you below.

Time of year

The timing of your symptoms may help you work out which problem you’re dealing with.

While you can get hay fever all year round, seasonal allergies caused by pollens are most likely to cause you symptoms between March and September when the weather is warmer.^1,6

Colds, on the other hand, are much more common in the early autumn and late winter months when the weather gets colder.⁷

Symptom development

Hay fever symptoms come on very quickly, pretty much immediately after you’re exposed to the allergens you’re sensitive to.⁸

Cold symptoms tend to develop more slowly, around two to three days after you were exposed to a cold-causing virus. Your symptoms will also likely be at their worst two to three days after you notice your first symptoms.⁴

Spreadability

Hay fever is caused by an allergen. This means it’s a non-contagious, or noninfectious, health issue, so it can’t be passed on from person to person.⁹

The viruses that cause the common cold, however, are extremely infectious, meaning colds can be easily spread through people. If you were recently in close contact with someone with a cold and started to experience symptoms shortly afterwards, it’s very likely that you caught it from them.⁴

Recovery time

Since hay fever is triggered by an allergen, it can last for weeks or even months while the allergen is present in the air.¹⁰

While the symptoms of a cold can stick around for a bit, you’ll usually fully recover after one to two weeks.^6,10

If your symptoms are lasting longer than two weeks, causing you concern and you’ve not had hay fever before, speak to a medical professional.

Hay fever symptoms vs. cold symptoms

As we’ve already established, hay fever and cold symptoms can be very similar. But, there are a few differences that can help you tell them apart.

Here’s how the symptoms of hay fever compare to those of a common cold.^1-4,6,7

Symptoms of both hay fever and a common cold:

blocked and/or runny nose
sneezing
loss of smell
sore throat
persistent coughing
headaches
sinus pressure – this can make the area under your eyes feel sore
mucus build-up in your throat (phlegm)
tiredness
wheezing and trouble breathing (in severe cases)

Symptoms of hay fever only:

itchy nose
red, watery, swollen, and itchy eyes
itchy throat and roof of mouth
itchy inner ears
earache

Symptoms of common cold only:

feeling generally unwell
body aches
mild fever

woman with brown skin blowing on a dandelion to spread the fluffy seeds

Hay fever treatments

Hay fever can take its toll on your energy levels and get in the way of you enjoying your day. So here are some of the most effective treatments to try at home to help reduce your symptoms.

Antihistamine medications

Antihistamine treatments work by blocking the chemical that your body releases during an allergic response, known as histamine. They’re also available in various forms, including pills, drinkable liquids, eye drops, nasal sprays and inhalers.^1,2,6

You can buy antihistamines in H&B stores and online, or over the counter at local pharmacies and most larger supermarkets. However, make sure to choose a non-drowsy option if you need to drive or work.^2,6

Decongestants

If your nose is stuffy or blocked, or you have pain in your sinuses, a nasal decongestant spray, oral tablet or liquid could help. These work by reducing the swelling of the vessels inside your nose, which helps to open up your airways and relieve pressure in your sinuses.^1,2,10

Cool compresses

Puffy, gritty eyes can be incredibly uncomfortable. So try holding a cool flannel over your eyes for a few minutes every few hours to soothe any soreness and itching, and also bring down any swelling.¹¹

When to see a doctor

If your hay fever symptoms aren’t being helped by antihistamines or other at-home treatments, your doctor may refer you to an allergy specialist for immunotherapy treatment, also known as pollen desensitisation.^1,2,6

Immunotherapy treatment involves taking regular injections or drops under your tongue that introduce small amounts of the allergens (e.g. pollen) you're sensitive to. This then helps desensitise your body to that specific allergen, reducing the level of your reaction over time.²

Prevention methods

As well as treating hay fever, there are a few things you can do to reduce your exposure to the allergens that trigger your reactions. These include:^6,10

put a blob of waxy balm around your nostrils to trap pollen and stop it from entering your nose
wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen or dust from getting into your eyes
change and bathe as soon as you go inside after spending time outdoors
keep windows and doors closed as much as you can
vacuum your house regularly and dust with a damp cloth to catch dust mites and particles
avoid mowing the lawn or raking leaves
wear a dust mask when cleaning your house or gardening
use an air purifier or filter to remove pollen from the air in your home
dry bedding and clothes inside rather than outdoors
avoid walking in grassy, open spaces
wipe down pets with a damp cloth when they come indoors

For products to help you combat hay fever, take a look at our dedicated Allergy & Hay Fever Care product page.

woman with brown skin and long dark curly hair wrapped in a fleece blanket blowing a red mug with hot drink in

Treatments for colds

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for the common cold. But there are several things you can do to feel a little bit better while you wait for your sniffles to subside.

Self-care

Making sure you get plenty of sleep, drinking lots of fluids and eating healthily can help you get better more quickly and will also help to build your immune system back up.^3,12

Pain relief

Regular paracetamol and ibuprofen are recommended to help bring down a fever and reduce any aches and pains you might have.

These can be picked up in local pharmacies, supermarkets and most convenience stores.^3,12

Over-the-counter medicines

Talk to your pharmacist about your symptoms, as they’ll be able to suggest the best remedy for your exact symptoms.

One treatment they may suggest is a decongestant medication that contains pseudoephedrine, which will help unblock your nose and relieve pressure in your sinuses.¹²These are available as nasal sprays, oral tablets or liquids.

Your pharmacist may also recommend other cold remedies like syrups or lozenges to reduce coughing and soothe a sore throat. Some of these can also help break down and get rid of any mucus that’s built up.¹²

For more products to help you recover from and prevent a common cold, take a look at our selection of Cold & Immune Support products.

The final say

Whether hay fever or the common cold is the cause of your symptoms, we hope the advice on this page will help you get back to feeling your best soon.

However, if you’re ever particularly worried about your symptoms, or find that they’re not improving after a week or two, it’s always a good idea to make an appointment with your doctor. They will be able to provide you with the advice you need to get back on your feet.

Sources

Hay fever: Overview. In: InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2020 [cited 2024 April 23]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279488/
Allergy UK. Hay Fever [Internet]. [cited 2024 April 23]. Available from: https://www.allergyuk.org/types-of-allergies/hayfever/.
Eccles R. Common cold. Front Allergy [Internet]. 2023 June 22 [cited 2024 April 23];4:1224988. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10324571/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Common Cold [Internet] 2023. [cited 2024 April 23]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/colds.html.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Common cold: How common is it? [Internet] 2022. [cited 2024 April 23] Available from: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/common-cold/background-information/prevalence/
NHS. Hay Fever [Internet]. 2024. [cited 2024 April 23]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever/.
Better Health. Colds [Internet]. 2022. [cited 2024 April 23]. Available from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/colds
Medline Plus. Allergic reactions [Internet]. 2022. [cited 2024 April 23]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000005.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How Infections Spread. 2016. [cited 2024 April 23]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/spread/index.html
Hay fever [Internet]. NHS inform. 2023 [cited 2024 Jun 13]. Available from: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/immune-system/hay-fever/
The College of Optometrists. Hay Fever. [cited 2024 April 23]. Available from: https://lookafteryoureyes.org/eye-care/hay-fever/.
NHS. Common Cold [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 April 23]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/common-cold/.