Back Cold vs. Allergy: How Do I Know the Difference? Symptoms Allergy Cold Stuffy or runny nose Often Often Sneezing Often Often Itchy eyes Often Rarely, never Fever Never Often Aches and pains Never Sometimes Headache Sometimes Often Cough Sometimes Often Dizziness Sometimes Often Hoarseness Sometimes Often Recur at a certain time of year Often Rarely Need for antibiotics No No Warning time Symptoms occur after exposure to allergen Gets worse over several days How long it lasts As long as your child is exposed to the allergen Usually three to 14 days