The 7 differences between allergy, cold and intolerance

Most of us have been ill at some time, or even have an allergy or intolerance to some food (for example celiacs).

But is one thing the same as the other? What do you think are the differences between allergy, cold and intolerance? Do you think their symptoms are similar or different?

In this article we will know the 7 differences between allergy, cold and food intolerance. First we will explain what each of these concepts consists of and then we will analyze their most important differences.

Definitions: allergy, cold and intolerance

Before knowing the differences between allergy, cold and intolerance, let's see what each of these diseases or disorders consists of below.

1. Allergy

The human body defends itself against possible harmful and external agents through different protective barriers and defense mechanisms. Mainly, acts through the immune system and through the synthesis of antibodies.

The agents that trigger the antibodies are called antigens. However, this natural defense system of the body can fail, when it not only responds to really harmful agents, but also to non-harmful agents (for example cat hair). That is when the allergy appears.

Thus, allergy is a disproportionate response of the immune system to external agents (or substances) considered non-dangerous; In other words, it is a defense mechanism that is excessive and ineffective, since it ends up causing various symptoms, such as itchy eyes, sneezing, mucus, tearing, etc.

The agents that cause allergies are allergens, and they can be many: cat or dog hair, plants, dust (mites), certain foods (food allergies), flowers, pollen, etc. You can have an allergy to one thing or more.

In this way, the allergy entails a series of alterations at the respiratory, nervous and / or eruptive level. The body reacts with extreme sensitivity to substances that are not actually harmful, and to which it has already been exposed. In people without allergies, these substances do not cause these symptoms and alterations.

2. Cold

A cold is a very common temporary illness, which produces symptoms such as: runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, sore throat, headache, cough... The cold rarely causes fever, although it may do so (very low fever). In addition, it also causes a general feeling of discomfort and tiredness.

It usually appears as a result of a virus that penetrates the mouth, ears or nose. There are many types of viruses that cause colds. The most common cold is the "common cold," which lasts 5-10 days.

3. Intolerance

Food intolerance occurs when the body reacts badly to the intake of a food. The main symptom that it usually causes is intense discomfort, usually stomach, although other symptoms may appear (such as dermatological symptoms: acne, eczema, itching, etc.).

Some typical intolerances (or at least the most common) are lactose intolerance (a component of milk) and gluten intolerance (also called celiac disease). However, there are many more. Each person is affected in one way or another, although the symptoms are usually similar.

Differences between allergy, cold and intolerance

Now that we have seen in summary what each of these concepts consists of, we are going to list the differences between allergy, cold and intolerance.

1. Severity of symptoms

Food allergies and food intolerances often cause symptoms of discomfort in the person; but also, food allergies can cause more serious reactions in the body (unlike intolerances).

That is, even if the person has had mild symptoms of a food allergy, it is likely that on subsequent occasions they will present more serious reactions (even life-threatening). On the other hand, in the case of colds, although these can cause a lot of discomfort and fatigue, they are not usually serious.

2. Appearance of symptoms

Continuing with the differences between allergy, cold and intolerance, we find the following: while allergy symptoms usually appear at the moment, or immediately after the person has been in contact with the antigen (or has ingested the food), symptoms of food intolerance may appear a little later.

3. Cause

The cause of the cold is usually a virus. Usually it is a specific virus, the rhinovirus, which causes the common cold. We are more likely to catch colds when we are cold. The virus enters through the mouth, eyes, or nose. Instead, the cause of the allergy is an antigen or allergen, and the cause of a food intolerance is the inability of the body to process or differ some food compound.

4. Symptoms

Although both allergy and cold and intolerance can share some symptoms, the truth is that these are quite different; in the case of allergies, the typical symptoms are nasal congestion, watery eyes, sneezing and mucus (in food allergies, other more serious symptoms can also appear).

In the cold, the symptoms are similar to those that appear with an allergy, but there is also a general malaise, in addition to a feeling of excessive fatigue.

Finally, in the case of intolerance, the symptoms are more gastrointestinal, producing an upset stomach, as well as gas, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, reflux, etc. In the latter case, dermatological disorders or symptoms also appear, such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, hives, itching ...

5. Duration

Allergies usually last a lifetime (although their symptoms may disappear or decrease over time), and the same is true of food intolerances. However, in the case of colds, these are temporary (their symptoms last between 3 and 10 days).

6. Degree of interference in life

While you can live normally with a food intolerance (avoiding eating foods to which you have intolerance), the same does not happen with a cold and an allergy.

In the case of a food allergy, the same happens as in the intolerance (although it should be monitored more), but in the In the case of a cold, although it lasts for a short time, the person is usually limited to carry out their daily life, since they are ill and discomfort.

7. Triggers (amount / type)

Another difference between allergy, cold and intolerance, is that in the case of allergy food, a minimal amount of the food you are allergic to is enough to trigger the symptoms; In food intolerance, on the other hand, people can usually eat small amounts of the food to which they are intolerant, without causing any symptoms.

In the case of the cold, it is not so much the “amount” of virus that infects us, but the type of virus in question, which determines the appearance and severity of the symptoms.

• We recommend reading: "The 10 differences between cold and flu"

Bibliographic references

• Font, E. (2002). Etiology, diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment of the common cold. Offarm.

• Hirsch, L. (2015). How is a food allergy different from a food intolerance? KidsHealth for Parents.

• Valencia, D.V., Parrilla, MCG y Gómez, M.L.M. (2012). Food allergy: Food toxicology.