What’s The Best Way To Manage A Sore Throat From Allergies
Fact: You dont need to suffer through this, and allergists say there are a few things you can do to try to relieve your pain. Ultimately, Dr. Wada says, the best treatment is a combo of tackling your nasal symptoms and sore throat. Try these treatment options.
- Use an antihistamine. Antihistamines block the effects of histamines, lessening the risk youll develop allergy symptoms, including a sore throat, Dr. Wada says.
- Try a nasal steroid spray. Nasal steroid sprays help reduce inflammation in your nasal passages, Dr. Wada says, and could help tamp down on post-nasal drip.
- Gargle with warm salt water. Not only does it feels soothing on your throat, Dr. Wada says, the salt in the water can help pull mucus out of the area and make you feel better.
- Have some honey. If a cough is behind your sore throat, consider having a spoonful of honey. Research has found that honey can reduce how often and how intensely you cough when youre sick. Honey can also be soothing for sore throats for anyone over age one, Dr. Wada says.
If you have a sore throat from allergies and this is a regular thing for you, Dr. Parikh recommends talking to your doctor or allergist about allergen immunotherapy, which are shots you can take to help reduce your reaction to allergens. These can make you less allergic to the trigger over time, Dr. Parikh says.
Allergies To Mold And Mildew
Like pollen, mold and/or mildew can also cause a sore, scratchy throat. Typical reactions to a mold or mildew allergen are swollen nasal cavities, itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, and a cough. The runny nose is part of the sore throat, as is the coughing: both feed on the other. More severe cases will result in fatigue and sinus pressure. Mold and mildew can be found in older homes, bathrooms, and in grassy fields at the change of the season, so be prepared.
Treatments For Hay Fever From A Gp
Your GP might prescribe a steroid treatment, such as a steroid nasal spray.
If steroids and other hay fever treatments do not work, your GP may refer you for immunotherapy.
This means you’ll be given small amounts of pollen as an injection or tablet to slowly build up your immunity to pollen.
This kind of treatment usually starts in the winter about 3 months before the hay fever season begins.
Immunotherapy is a specialist service that may not be available everywhere.
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Can You Get A Sore Throat From Allergies And What Causes It
Yep, and how you develop it all comes down to how your body reacts when its exposed to an allergen like pollen. If you have allergies, your immune system will react to being exposed to an allergen by releasing histamines, chemicals that cause allergy symptoms.
For many people with seasonal allergies, those histamines can cause a stuffy, runny noseand that can trigger post-nasal drip, i.e. mucus running down the back of your throat, explains Purvi Parikh, MD, an allergist with Allergy & Asthma Network. And that can cause irritation back there. Cue the sore throat. Often, first thing in morning it will be worse from laying down all night, Dr. Parikh says.
Post-nasal drip isnt the only reason you might develop a sore throat from allergies, though. Coughing and mouth breathing can also mess with the way your throat feels, says Kara Wada, MD, an allergist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Of course, not everyone with allergies gets a sore throat. Allergies can affect each of us differently, Dr. Wada says. There are some things that might make you more prone to struggling with a sore throat from allergies, Dr. Parikh says, including how severe your allergies are and the anatomy of your nose.
Best Sore Throat Remedies To Make You Feel Better Fast According To Doctors
Some home remedies only mask painbut these solutions can help you get rid of your sore throat completely.
Sore throat symptoms can be rough.;Your saliva goes down like sandpaper, every cough makes you wince, and the only thing you can think about is making that lump in the back of your throat go away.
But to ease the pain, you need to understand whats;causing your sore throat in the first place: dry air, smoking, acid reflux, viral infections like the flu or common cold, and bacterial infections like strep can all lead to a sore throat.
In general, a viral infection usually comes with other symptoms, like muscle aches and fatigue, along with your sore throat, says Chester Griffiths MD, an otolaryngologist at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif. With a bacterial infection, on the other hand, the pain is usually more focused on your throat and the soreness tends to be pretty severe, Dr. Griffiths says. You may also have intense pain when you swallow, along with a high fever.
Exposure to smoke, breathing in dry air, and having acid reflux tends to feel very different from an infection, says Jason Abramowitz, MD, an ear, nose, and throat specialist at ENT and Allergy Associates. Usually patients do not feel as sick overall the pain is also usually not as severe, he says.
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Itchy Red Or Watery Eyes
Being allergic to dust and dust mites can also cause you to have itchy, red or watery eyes.
This is another natural defense your body conducts when it reacts to something sensitive in the environment.
When dust particles come into contact with mast cells on the eyes, the response is to release histamine and other chemicals that cause blood vessels to leak, which makes your eyes red, watery and itchy.
Unfortunately, these dust allergies symptoms are shared with other eye diseases and cold viruses.
Trying to diagnose an allergy to dust off of this one sign alone is not feasible.
However, if youre noticing it alongside symptoms #1 and #2, it just may likely be caused by an allergic reaction to dust .
How To Get Rid Of Itchy Throat
There are hundreds of home remedies that claim to treat an itchy throat. Do a quick Google search, and youll find everything from saltwater gargles to drinking warm water to gargling with apple cider vinegar. Youll even find suggestions to use turmeric, herbal tea, menthol, and anti-inflammatory over-the-counter lozenges. While these can mask symptoms, most dont do anything to address the root cause especially if the issue is caused by dehydration.
So when youre trying to figure out how to get rid of an itchy throat, the best way is to find the underlying cause. If your itchy throat is caused by allergies, find the irritant or allergen that causes the reaction. Avoid the allergens by lowering time spent outdoors. You can also use HEPA filters and humidifiers. Stay away from triggers like animals, dust mites, mold, and pollen. You can also use antihistamines to fight hay fever.
Drinking fluids and staying hydrated may also dramatically improve an itchy throat. Fluids help to lubricate a scratchy throat, which can offer brief relief if your throat irritation is caused by allergies or an infection.
Since dehydration can cause throat pain and discomfort, maintaining adequate hydration is key. Thats why its a good idea to have an oral rehydration solution like DripDrop ORS on hand.
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A Gargle Salt Water To Soothe A Sore Throat
Gargling with salt water
Saltwater can soothe your sore throat fast. The concentration of salt on the outside of the cells in your neck will reduce the swelling. The inflammation will reduce and the tickle will go away. Heres how to gargle with salt water.
Saltwater gargles will help cut through the phlegm and reduce the tickling.
Ways To Overcome Dry Mouth At Night
You should avoid caffeine and alcohol in the evening as they can dehydrate your mouth. Consult your healthcare provider for suggested dietary changes include hydrating foods such as celery and cucumber, or foods with sauces to help keep the mouth lubricated. Smoking and chewing tobacco can also dry the mouth and should be avoided.
It might be worth investing in a humidifier, to increase air moisture in your bedroom, or purchasing nasal strips to wear across the bridge of your nose and encourage nose breathing. Make sure your oral hygiene is top notch but avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol as they can dry your mouth out. Also consider switching to Biotène Fresh Mint Toothpaste. In addition to being specially formulated for Dry Mouth sufferers to not irritate, it contains fluoride to strengthen the teeth and help protect against decay.
You can keep a glass of water on your nightstand, though frequent sipping may cause you to need the bathroom during the night. A better idea might be to use a dental gel or lubricant like Biotene Oralbalance Gel. Containing a mouth moisturizing formula that refreshes and moistens the mouth to help maintain a healthy oral environment, it has been clinically tested to relieve the discomfort of dry mouth for up to 4 hours .
*as measured in a 28 day clinical study
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There May Be An Underlying Cause
While dry mouth occurs in your oral cavity, the cause may be outside of your oral health. A visit to your doctor after your dentist may be in your best interest, as many health factors can cause dry mouth. They include:
- Side effects from medication to treat high blood pressure, pain, or asthma
- Depression
What Can You Do
Avoid histamine milk-based products, alcohol and caffeine are a few examples of food and drinks that are high in histamine. When suffering from allergic rhinitis these could exasperate your symptoms so are best avoided. As an alternative, you can opt for foods low in histamine such as fresh fruit, vegetables and meat.
Gargle salt water this doesnt sound all too pleasant but regardless, its a tried and tested treatment for throat problems. Plus, salt contains antiseptic properties which may also ease a sore throat should one develop because of dryness.;
Hydrate drinking lots of water helps keep your throat moist to lessen any feelings of dryness in the area.;
Support your immune system when busy fighting off allergens, your immune system put under a lot more pressure than would normally be the case. Therefore, it may prove beneficial to give your immune system some extra support. You can to this through our Echinaforce Echinacea Drops which are made from fresh Echinacea so that they do not lose any of their beneficial properties.;
Warm lemon and honey this is a traditional cold and flu remedy but this hot drink could also sooth and moisturise your throat to leave it feeling more comfortable.
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Can Allergies Cause A Sore Throat
Feel like you’re getting a cold? Are you sure its a cold youre catching? So, you might instead ask, “can allergies cause a sore throat?”
Can Allergies Cause A Sore Throat?
March 30, 2021 by Asthma & Allergy Associates, P.C.
*Cough Cough* Whether we like it or not, the cold and flu season is on its way. Were all worried about catching that bug thats going around. But ask yourself, when you begin to feel those symptoms come on, are you sure its a cold youre catching? So, you might instead ask, can allergies cause a sore throat?
Often times, your sore throat can actually be caused by allergies, rather than the common cold. Irritation of the throat can develop for various reasons, one of which can be from allergens like pollen, dust, weeds, air pollution, and pet dander.
Post nasal drip, often caused by hay fever, can cause inflammation of the throat. Its important to look at the other symptoms youre experiencing in conjunction with a sore throat to determine the cause.
Hayfever And Other Allergies
Around of the worlds population is affected by allergies. When a person has seasonal allergies, substances in their environment cause their immune system to overreact.
Common triggers include:
- pet hair
- certain foods
For a person with seasonal allergies, these allergens cause the immune system to release a chemical called histamine.
As well as a dry throat, the histamine released in an allergic reaction may cause:
- a cough
- itchy skin, mouth, or eyes
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Scratchy Throat Allergies Seasonal Allergies
Itchy, scratchy throats from allergies are annoying and uncomfortable. We go to the doctor and are turned away saying that we just have to let it pass. But that can be days or even weeks before we may find relief. But that doesnt have to be the case! Understanding what causes scratchy throats, like allergies, is the first step to relief. Once you know what causes them, youll understand how to prevent and treat them.
When Its A Sore Throat
When its a sore throat caused by a cold virus, you will often have other cold symptoms that may include:
- Runny nose.
- Red or watery eyes.
- Sneezing.
You do not have a cough with strep. If youre coughing, that typically means no strep, says Daniel Allan, MD. Also, when you look in the throat of a person with a sore throat caused by a cold virus, you typically do not see pus or exudate in the back of the throat.
Colds usually take several days to develop and typically;go away on their own within five to seven days, Dr. Allan says.
There is no cure for a sore throat caused by a cold virus, but you can do things to make yourself feel more comfortable: Drinking warm liquids, gargling with warm salt water, sucking on ice chips, or taking;an over-the-counter medicine can provide relief for;your symptoms.
You also can speed your recovery by getting;enough rest, eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of fluids.
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Treatments And Prevention For Scratchy Throat Allergies
The best news is that allergies that cause a scratchy throat can be avoided and the throat irritation can be prevented. If you do happen to run into your allergen, treatments can be found over the counter, if not already in your own home! And, most are extremely cost effective.
For treatment of allergic rhinitis caused by pollens, dust, and molds antihistamines can be used. Air conditioning and/or the use of a humidifier is another effective treatment since the air conditioner filters out the pollen, dust, and pet dander. If you suffer from a sore, itchy throat and/or mouth, make sure that you drink plenty of water and to rinse the mouth regularly using salty water. Gargling with warm, salt water is a great way to clean and treat your throat. Another is hot tea with honey and lemon. The lemon cleans while the honey coats the throat for relief. It is also wise to avoid spicy foods Pain medication, especially Mortin, helps to reduce the swelling and pain in the throat. Also, the steam from hot showers and baths helps to clear the nasal passages and relax the muscles in the throat for temporary relief.Saline sprays and drops help to wash down the congested nose and throat. Adding baking soda to a small amount of table salt in warm water creates the saline solution. Use a dropper to put some of that solution into the nose, and this will ease the discomfort that a congested nose creates to the throat.
Allergens And Their Effects
Postnasal drip is the main culprit in cases of allergy-induced sore throat.
Its the result of exposure to an allergen and occurs when congestion in the nose and sinuses drains down to the throat. This causes tickling or scratchy pain.
The drainage also can cause:
- coughing
- runny nose
- coughing
If you have a sore throat with fever and body aches, its likely the result of a viral infection, such as the cold or flu.
Scratchiness is another way to determine if you have an allergy-induced sore throat.
In addition to the raw feeling that results from postnasal drainage, particles that directly enter the respiratory system can cause an itchy or scratchy feeling.
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Questions To Ask Your Doctor
- Could anything else, such as a cold or the flu, be causing my symptoms?
- How do I figure out what Im allergic to?
- Is my allergy seasonal?
- I am allergic to _____. Am I at risk for any other allergies?
- What changes can I make at home to relieve my symptoms?
- Will any over-the counter medicines relieve my symptoms?
- What should I do if my symptoms get worse or dont respond to the treatment youve prescribed?
- Do I need to see an allergy specialist ?
Can Allergies Cause Bad Breath
Other than the irritation and dental health problems that may result from dry mouth, another reason why you want to avoid it is bad breath. Nobody wants to be in public with an odor lingering around them.
This mortifying condition, again, results from the inadequacy of saliva in your mouth. Saliva helps get rid of the leftover food particles and bacteria inside your mouth. In addition to good oral hygiene, saliva also helps keep your oral cavity clean.
When there isnt enough saliva present in the mouth, food particles and bacteria stay in place. Gradually, bacteria will start decomposing all the food remains, giving off a bad smell. Can allergies cause dry mouth? Yes.; Can allergies cause bad breath? Yes!
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