Some 35 million Americans suffer from allergies to everything from cat hair to peanuts. Itchy eyes and swollen bags under the eyes are typical of an allergy. The fever and chills often experienced with colds and flu are rare with allergies. Discharge from a runny nose is more likely to be clear and watery when it's caused by an allergic reaction, thick and yellowish when caused by a cold or flu.
Colds usually last about a week.
When your runny nose and watery eyes last for more than two weeks, you probably have an allergy. Some 35 million Americans suffer from allergies to everything from cat hair to peanuts. The most common allergy is hay fever, a broad term used to describe the runny nose and eye irritation caused by a reaction to pollen, ragweed trees, or molds. Antihistamines and decongestants offer effective relief for many people. Antihistamines work by blocking the release of histamines that bring on the allergy symptoms.