How do you know if your 14 month old has a cold, or if it is allergies?

Colds are usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as a fever, eating less, less active, etc. If it's just some runny noses and coughing, but the other symptoms are not there, I would not worry about it at all. Besides, if it IS a cold, but there is no fever or other symptoms, the only thing the doc will tell you is to keep an eye on them, and it will go away in a few days. You can't give antibiotics for colds, and you shouldn't give tylenol or motrin too often, as your child can build up immunity to it. Therefore, all you can do keep an eye on your child and see if they develop fevers or inactivity or decrease in eating. You don't need an expensive doctor bill to tell you what I just told you, unless symptoms get worse.

Signs and symptoms of both overlap so it can be hard to tell. Especially at this age b/c there is no history. If this were to reappear each season then that can be a classic sign. Most docs don't do allergy testing until kids are a tad older. I think after 2yrs. A lot of times if the symptoms persist and the doc knows it is not a sinus infection they may suspect allergies, especially if it runs in the family. They may trial some allergy meds to see if they relieve the symptoms too.

You take her to the doctor.

One tell tale sign of allergies is bags under the eyes. So, you can look for that. If she has the sniffles a lot, and occassionally coughs at night with no other symptoms, that could very well be allergies.

Then again, kids get on average between 8 and 12 colds a year.

The doctor will have to determine this. They look in their nose and throat and they can usually tell. Also if the baby seems fine expect for a dry cough at night this is sometimes a sign.

my son's dr. said you cannot test for allergies until 24 months.

If he is sneezing or has a runny nose its a cold, if its allergies he will be itching.