is this allergies or a cold???

[lola sugar]

i have never had allergies, but for about a week now my nose is stuffy, slowly getting worse, then its runny - back and forth. i feel slightly dizzy at times, and my lungs feel weird. like i have a slight cough, but never progresses into a full on cough. I woke up with a scratchy feeling in my throat and the breathing passages in my nose were a bit sore. It has been this way for about over a week now, not getting worse, but not getting any better. my eyes are scratchy and dry too. I was thinking this whole time that a really mean cold was coming on, but it never did. and this has stayed the same for this whole time now. Is this also what happens when someone has allergies?? I also constantly feel like im going to sneeze, but it never comes out! Can someone suddenly develope allergies after not having them? this is really a weird feeling.
what do you guys recommend for over the counter allergy meds, if it does sound like allergies??