Can Allergies Cause A Very Sore Throat

Is My Sore Throat Covid

A sore throat is pretty common, as far as symptoms of illness go. Sore throat can be caused by illnesses ranging from the non-serious to the dangerous.

You can get a sore throat from the common cold. And if youve ever woken up with a sore throat after spending the day before cheering your heart out at a football game or screaming along to the lyrics at your favorite bands concert, you also know you dont need to be sick at all to get a sore throat.

So, when should you worry about a sore throat? Thats a question made even more pressing by the COVID-19 pandemic. A sore throat is also a common symptom of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

Taking An Antihistamine Makes Your Sore Throat Feel Better

If you do have allergies, you’re likely to experience other symptoms such as an itchy throat, watery eyes, sneezing, congestion, and a runny nose, says Goldstein. However, these symptoms should significantly improve if you take an antihistamine like Claritin or Benadryl. If you don’t feel your symptoms improve at all, you could be dealing with something else, including COVID. And for warning signs to be aware of, If You Have One of These COVID Symptoms, the CDC Says to Call 911.

Youre Fighting A Virus

Viral tonsil infections are very common, says Clare Morrison, MD, general practitioner and medical advisor at MedExpress. There are several different strains of virus that can affect the tonsils and trigger swellinginfluenza, adenovirus, Epstein-Barr , herpes simplexand they tend to go hand-in-hand with cold symptoms. Think: fever, headache, runny nose, sore throat.

When tonsillitis is caused by a virus, itll usually go away once your bodys fought off the infection . While your bodys in battle mode, the best thing you can do is soothe your throat with plenty of fluids, salt water gargles, and the occasional acetaminophen or ibuprofen tablet.

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Treatment For Chronic Sore Throat From Allergies

If it is determined that allergies are the reason for your sore throat, there are several ways to treat these allergies in order to relieve throat pain. Consulting with an ENT specialist will help you determine which is the best approach for your lifestyle and allergies.

Oral Medications

Allergy medicine such as oral antihistamines can be taken daily to help alleviate allergy symptoms like sore throat. This is a good solution for short term relief, but you can end up relying on the daily oral medicine and even building a tolerance to the medication making it less effective. If sore throat is being caused or worsened by acid reflux, oral antacid medicines can also be effective to reduce this symptom.

Allergy Drops

Allergy experts recommend immunotherapy to treat allergies, which involves small regular doses of the allergen to prevent a histamine reaction. Traditionally, immunotherapy was delivered by doctors through a monthly allergy shot. These days, sublingual immunotherapy or allergy drops allow patients to simply put a few drops under their tongue each day at home to effectively eliminate and prevent allergies. These drops are customized for each persons unique allergies, which are determined through an easy and accurate allergy test.

Home Remedies

Mucus In Throat After Eating

There are many reasons a person may experience mucus in throat after eating, including food allergies, post-nasal drip, medication side effects, chronic rhinitis, laryngopharyngeal reflux, being a heavy smoker, and viral or bacterial infections.

In order to reduce mucus in throat after a meal, increase your fluid intake to help loosen up mucus, inhale steam after your meal, avoid foods youre allergic to, gargle lukewarm water with salt, drink herbal tea after the meal, and stop smoking or begin to cut back.Related:;How to get rid of cough?

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Can Allergies Cause A Cough

Yes, and you can blame it on your immune system. When your body mistakes a substance like pollen or mold as a harmful invader, it sets off an intense response to try and flush it out, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma &Immunology . During this process, your cells release histamine and other chemicals, which triggers an allergic reaction. Cue the cold-like symptoms, including a sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and coughing.

Allergy coughs are typically caused by swelling or irritation of the airways, the AAAI says. And, if you develop post-nasal dripwhen the mucus hanging out in your sinuses trickles down the back of your throatthat can also cause a cough, Dr. Bassett says.

The Top 8 Symptoms Of Dust Allergies

Do you think that you may be experiencing symptoms of dust allergies?

Or could it be something else?

Unfortunately, some of the signs of a dust allergy, like sneezing, coughing and a runny nose, are similar to sicknesses such as the common cold.

What may seem to be dust allergy symptoms may actually be a cold and vice versus.

But, how do you know for sure?

Dust allergies can range from mild to severe.

In a mild case, you may experience an occasional outbreak of the symptoms below, while in a severe condition you might notice chronic, ongoing problems.

In this article, well share with you eight of the most common signs that are associated with allergies related to dust and dust mites.

Hopefully, this information will clue you in to whats really going on with your health.

Note: If symptoms such as wheezing or nasal congestion are severe, you should call your doctor. If shortness of breath or wheezing quickly gets worse, seek emergency care. The information provided in this article should not substitute for professional care.

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When To Contact Your Health Care Provider

If your symptoms dont improve, or you feel worse, you should contact your health care provider. The American Academy of Otolaryngology2 recommends alerting your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing, swallowing, or opening your mouth
• Swelling of the neck or face
• Earache
• A fever of 101°F or higher
• Lumps in the throat or neck

If you have allergies that lead to a sore throat, treating them with OTC medication or natural remedies may provide you with relief from pain and discomfort. But if your symptoms worsen, contact your health care provider to rule out a more serious health concern.

How To Treat A Sore Throat Caused By Allergies

Allergy meds are usually the best place to start. Antihistamines, like Claritin, Zyrtec, or Benadryl, can help tame inflammation and ease your symptoms overall, Dr. Mehdizadeh says. Nasal sprays, like ipratropium, and nasal glucocorticoids, like fluticasone, are good for easing postnasal drip, too.

Natural remedies could also make a difference. Gargling with warm saltwater can help get rid of irritating mucus, and drinking plenty of water or inhaling steam may soothe scratchiness.

Of course, prevention might be the most effective tactic of all. Minimizing your exposure to allergenssay, by keeping your windows closed and showering as soon as you come inside after being outdoorscan keep your symptoms from flaring up and help stop that sore throat before it starts.

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How To Treat A Sore Throat From Allergies

According to Dr. Burgert, you can treat allergy-induced sore throat with over-the counter-pain medication like Tylenol or Motrin. Even better, you can eliminate the cause of the sore throat with antihistamines like Zyrtec, Claritin, or Allegra. Steroid nasal sprays can also decrease the production of watery mucus.

Why Might These Side Effects Occur

There’s a simple reason why some people have the side effects of hoarseness, cough, and sore throat from using an inhaler. It’s because the inhaled steroid isn’t fully inhaled. Instead, some of the medicine sits in the mouth and throat, causing irritation. Inhaled steroids aren’t designed to go into your mouth. They’re meant to be inhaled directly into your lungs, where they can go to work.4

But incorrect inhaler technique or lack of attention to aftercare following the use of your inhaler can lead to these side effects.

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Its A Symptom Of Certain Stds

Both syphilis and gonorrhea can flare up in the throat area. Syphilis usually appears as sores in the early stages, called chancres, and can crop up at the back of your throat, swelling your tonsils in the process. Symptoms of gonorrhea are more subtle, and can include mouth soreness and burning in the throat.

Although both STDs have been increasing in prevalence, theyre still considered uncommon, says Dr. Zalvan. The sooner you catch them, the easier they are to treat. If you suspect an STD might be the cause of your swollen tonsils, your doc can do a throat swab to be sureand if positive, prescribe antibiotics, according to the American Dental Association.

Your Dentists Role In Diagnosing Gluten Sensitivity

This might surprise you, but dentists examine more than just your teeth.

For instance, did you know that dentists can screen for;sleep disorders?

They also look for any signs of poor health and disease in your mouth signs that could point to gluten intolerance. If you have any of these gluten intolerance mouth symptoms mentioned above and;suspect a gluten sensitivity, talk to your dentist.

Besides treating many of these symptoms, your dentist can refer;you to a physician who can test you for gluten intolerance or celiac disease.

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Can You Have Just A Sore Throat From Allergies With No Other Symptoms

Technically, its possible to have just this one symptom from allergies, but its less likely to be your only symptom, Dr. Wada says. Basically, if you develop a sore throat and dont have any other issues, like a runny, stuffy nose, you should at least consider that your pain might be due to something else.

How Can You Tell The Difference Between A Cold And Allergies

Both allergies and viral infections can cause symptoms like a sore throat, runny nose, headaches, and congestion. So how can you tell whats actually making you feel crummy?

How your symptoms begin are often a big clue: Colds tend to creep up slowly, while allergy symptoms usually flare up shortly after youre exposed to an allergen, per the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. If you start to notice itching, stuffiness, or an annoying tickle in the back of your throat after spending some time outside, for instance, youre probably dealing with allergies.

Other clues to watch for: If your sore throat tends to get worse or makes it hard to swallow, or you develop a fever, chills, or body aches, youre probably dealing with a cold or infection, Dr. Mehdizadeh says. If your allergy medications dont seem to be helping, thats also a sign it could be a cold, flu, COVID-19, or something else.

The bad news? Colds and allergies can exist at the same time, Dr. Reisacher says. So if you cant figure out what youre dealing with, talk with your doctor.

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Sore Throat Caused By Allergies

Got a sore throat? Allergies might be to blame. Though many sore throats can be caused by viruses, such as the common cold or flu, or bacteria such as strep throat, allergies are an over-overlooked culprit. If you suspect your sore throat might be caused by allergies, heres what you need to know about treating the problem and alleviating the symptoms.

What Can You Do To Feel Better

While severe sore throats may need medical attention, there are things you can do at home to ease the symptoms.

You can:

• Suck on ice chips or popsicles to soothe your throat. You can also try hard candies or lozenges.
• Use a humidifier if thereâs dry air where you sleep.
• Gargle with salt water to curb the itching in your throat.
• Drink warm beverages and plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
• Use honey to ease coughs for adults. Children can have honey if theyâre over 1 year old.

Read Also: Does Eating Honey Help With Allergies

You Have A Metallic Taste In Your Mouth

If you’re experiencing a metallic taste in your mouth, it could point to another sore throat cause. According to Sheneen Lalani, DO, a board-certified internal medicine doctor working with COVID patients, this is typically present when you have gastroesophageal reflux disease .

The Mayo Clinic says GERD patients usually experience acid reflux at least twice a week, which can be aggravated by smoking, eating large meals, eating late at night, eating fatty or fried foods, drinking alcohol or coffee, and taking certain medications like aspirin. And for more up-to-date information, .

You Don’t Have Any Other Coronavirus Symptoms

Since there are so many things that can cause a sore throat, it can be a challenge to know if yours is COVID-related. Fortunately, you can rest assured that a sore throat alone is not actually that common a coronavirus symptom. A joint report from the World Health Organization and Chinese researchers found that only 13.9 percent of COVID patients experience a sore throat.

According to Leann Poston, MD, a licensed physician and medical advisor for Invigor Medical, if your sore throat is COVID, you’re likely to experience more common symptoms such as fever, dry cough, fatigue, sputum production, and shortness of breath. However, since there is no way to fully differentiate, you should get a COVID test to make absolutely sure your sore throat is not the virus. And for more on the future of the pandemic, Dr. Fauci Just Said These 3 Things Are About to Make COVID Worse.

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When To See A Doctor

If you wake up with a sore throat frequently or it lasts more than a week, you should let your doctor know. They may do some tests or do a throat swab to find out whatâs causing it. Depending on your diagnosis, the doctor will decide a treatment plan.

If your sore throat makes it difficult to breathe or swallow or you feel a lump in your throat, get it checked out as soon as possible. If you have a viral or bacterial infection along with a fever higher than 101 F, see your doctor about it. You can take over-the-counter pain medications to ease the fever and help you feel better.

If your sore throat is a symptom of sleep apnea, besides sleep study tests, the doctor may refer you to an ear, nose, and throat specialist to rule out any structural blocks that may be causing your sleep issues.

So How Can You Tell If Your Cough Is Due To Allergies

First, evaluate the typeof cough you have. Allergies can cause a dry cough or wet cough , Dr. Bassett says, but post-nasal drip typically leads to a dry cough. The AAAI also points to a chronicdry coughmeaning it has lasted for more than three weeksas a sign of allergies.

You can also determine the difference by looking at the bigger picture and seeing what other symptoms are present, Dr. Bassett says. Seasonal allergies often present with an itchy nose, throat, and eyes, which is pretty uncommon with respiratory illnesses.

And one thing allergies definitely wont cause? A fever, which is typical with viruses that lead to the common cold, flu, and COVID-19. Still not sure? Ask yourself these questions:

• How did your coughing start? Colds tend to come on slowly, while allergies kick in as soon as youve been exposed to an allergen.
• Are you itchy? Itchingespecially in your nose, eyes, or throatis a classic sign of allergies.
• Do you have a fever or body aches? Respiratory illnesses can cause both, but allergies dont.
• How long have your symptoms lasted? If your symptoms stick around for weeks or even months, allergies are probably to blame.

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Back Up: Why Do We Cough Anyway

Coughing is a natural response to irritation in your throat or airways. To put it simply, receptors in the throat, trachea, and lungs respond and lead to activation of the cough center in the brain, explains Clifford Bassett, M.D., founder and medical director of Allergy and Asthma Care of New York.

Coughing is an essential defense mechanism, he says, and its your bodys way of pushing any unwanted stuff out, including pollen, mucus, and pieces of food, to make more room for air to get through.

Excess Mucus In Throat Causes

Throat mucus, or phlegm, can be a result of allergies or a sore throat, but there are numerous reasons for throat mucus, revealing what is going on inside your body. Even when you are healthy, your body is constantly producing mucus. Most of the time, this mucus drips down the back of your throat without you noticing. But during times of illness, that mucus can clog your throat.Your body doesnt necessarily produce more mucus when youre sick, but the consistency of the mucus changes so you begin to notice it. There are many factors that can change the consistency of mucus, like allergies or milk consumption for some people.

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Why Can Seasonal Allergies Cause A Sore Throat

Allergies happen when the body perceives a foreign substance as a threat, and the immune system produces antibodies and histamine in response. This creates an inflammatory reaction that makes you feel downright crummy. Common allergy symptoms include sneezing, congestion, runny nose, sinus pressure, and dark circles under the eyes . But under the right circumstances, allergy sufferers could develop a sore throat as well.;

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Why does this happen? Children with allergies often have increased mucus production in the nasal passages that drips down the back of the throat. This is referred to as postnasal drip, explains Sanjeev Jain, M.D., a board-certified allergist and immunologist at Columbia Allergy. As the mucus drips down the throat, it causes irritation to the mucosa that lines the throat, and this can result in the sensation of a sore throat.

Keep in mind that sore throat can have other causes as well. For example, it often appears with viral upper respiratory infections and bacterial infections , says Natasha Burgert, M.D., a board-certified pediatrician for Pediatric Associates in Overland Park, Kansas. Sore throat might also be a symptom of COVID-19 in kids. Contact your pediatrician if you dont know the cause of your childs sore throat; they may need to diagnose and treat it.