Can Allergies Cause Dry Throat

Otherreasons For Waking Up With A Sore Throat

The most common reasons for a sore throat in the morning are a dry environment, especially in winter, along with mouth breathing and acid reflux, Dr. Benninger says. He says that dehydration, hay fever, or the beginning of a cold can also be culprits. People who snore or have sleep apnea may also wake with a sore throat.

If you consider your sleeping environment and symptoms, you often can find ways to rid yourself of that sandpaper-in-your-throat feeling.

Here are some common questions to ask yourself:

• Is the air dry? If you suspect the air is dry, which tends to be a problem in the winter, use a humidifier. Drinking extra water in general, but especially before bed, can also help.
• Could you be mouth breathing? Breathing from your nose helps keep moisture in your mouth and throat. Sometimes if your nasal passages arent clear, you end up breathing out of your mouth. For short-term relief , you could try oxymetazoline at bedtime for a few days. For longer-term relief, you can use a steroid nasal spray , or you can use Breathe Right® nasal strips.
• Do you have acid reflux? People reflux more when they are in a lying position, Dr. Benninger says. There are pillows that may help, but a healthy diet and weight control are the keys, he says. If acid reflux is an issue for you, he suggests taking an H2 antihistamine like Zantac® or Pepsid® before bedtime. Also, he suggests not eating right before bed and avoiding alcohol, which can cause increased snoring.

How You Can Tell The Difference Between Cold And Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

With both allergies and colds, its typical to have congestion or a runny nose, and to sneeze often. You may also feel tired and drowsy. But there are several other symptoms that dont often overlap between allergies and a cold. Here are some of the telltale differences between cold symptoms and allergy symptoms.

What About Herbal Remedies

If you are suffering from a sore throat with your seasonal allergies, you are also likely to be experiencing other symptoms such as sneezing or nasal congestion. If this is the case, then a remedy tackling all symptoms of seasonal allergies is likely to be the most effective. For example, Pollinosan Allergy Relief Tablets combine several different herbs in a formula devised by Alfred Vogel to target the symptoms of seasonal allergies.

However, as this remedy can be taken alongside other remedies, you may also benefit from a sore throat spray, such as Echinaforce Sore Throat Spray, which combines extracts of Echinacea and sage.

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Food Allergies Associated With Pfas

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, the following food allergies are associated with different types of pollen allergies:

• Birch: Cherry, celery, apple, hazelnut, almond, pear, peach, plum, kiwi, carrot
• Grass: Melons, orange, cherry, tomato, celery, peach
• Ragweed: Melons, cucumber, zucchini, banana, sunflower seeds

In order to treat this condition, youll need to avoid eating the offending foods in their raw form.

Can Allergies Cause Fever

The short answer is allergies dont cause fever. But, allergy symptoms can make you more vulnerable to a viral or bacterial infection, which can lead to a fever. So, its common to blame a fever on your allergies, even though technically that isnt the cause.

Allergies are caused when your immune system overreacts to common things in the environment such as tree and grass pollen of common dust mites in your home. The typical allergy symptoms most people experience include:

• Coughing
• Diarrhea or nausea are common if you have food allergies
• Headache or sinus pain
• Wheezing or asthma

If you have a fever, body aches, and a sore throat, its likely caused by a viral infection from a cold or flu.

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Can Allergies Cause A Sore Throat What To Know According To Experts

Allergy season is in full effect, and if you tend to suffer from them, you know that there’s nothing pleasant about the sneezing, stuffy nose, and itchy or watery eyes that come with them.

Of course, those aren’t the only three symptoms that can accompany allergies-some allergy sufferers may also find that they experience a sore throat as well. But it can be tricky to figure out if you’re dealing with a sore throat from allergies or from a cold or virus. Here’s what experts want you to know.

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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Allergies Rarely Cause Sore Throats Or Body Aches

The only ache you may feel with allergies is a headache from all that congestion. Your throat may also feel dry or scratching. But if youre experiencing a sore throat or mild body aches, theyre more likely a sign of a bad cold.

Can allergies cause chills? No. If you have chills, its more likely you have a cold, the flu or another infection .

Can Allergies Cause A Sore Throat

So, the short answer here is yes, Evan Li, MD, an allergist and assistant professor of medicine specializing in immunology, allergy and rheumatology at Baylor College of Medicine, tells Health. A sore throat can be from a direct inflammatory effect of allergens on the back of your throat, from mucus draining down into your throat, or from the irritating effect of coughing.

Sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes and nose, and runny nose are the most common symptoms associated with seasonal allergies, Kelly Simpson, MD, an allergist at Austin Regional Clinic in Austin, Texas, tells Health. But sore throat can also be added to that list, often caused by what’s referred to as “postnasal drip.” This is when increased mucus in the nasal passages drips down the back of the throat. As it drips down, it irritates the throat.

“Postnasal drip, other than causing sore throat, can also cause the sensation of something getting stuck in your throat, tickling or itching in the back of your throat and also irritation that leads to cough,” Dr. Li says.

No one allergen is more prone to causing sore throat than others, but the more potent the allergen, the more likely it is to cause symptoms of allergies overall, Dr. Li says. Some of the most potent allergens are grasses, ragweed, dust mites and cat dander.

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How To Tell If Allergic Rhinitis Is Causing Dry Throat

A dry throat can be the result of a few things, but if allergic rhinitis is the cause, there are a few things that make it distinctive.

Frequency if a dry throat is regularly an issue for you it may indicate that allergic rhinitis is behind the problem.

Other problems when caused by allergic rhinitis, a dry throat is usually accompanied by issues like congestion and sneezing rather than it being a stand-alone-problem.

Time of year pollen is the most common cause of allergic rhinitis so if your symptoms appear between March and June when plants are pollinating, this may also be a sign that allergic rhinitis is the cause.

Itchy Throat Remedies And Treatments

The goal of treating an itchy throat is to reduce discomfort, irritation, and painful feelings in the affected area until the condition heals. Remedies for itchy and sore throats focus on decreasing inflammation and irritation of the throat, as well as secondary symptoms like coughing.

Cough Drops, Lozenges, and Hard Candy

Many people use cough drops to help relieve throat itchiness or soreness. However, cough drops containing menthol may make your throat itchier in the long run. One study found that regularly consuming too many mentholated cough drops can make coughing more frequent.

Consider taking sweet hard candies to lengthen the time between cough drop or lozenge doses. This will allow you to benefit from oral menthol use without going overboard. Sweet candies can also help ease and itchy throat because it increases saliva production, which hydrates the affected area. A study also shows that a sweet taste can help suppress coughing.

While hot tea with honey is often used as a cough suppressant and a way to relieve a sore throat, plain honey can be effective, as well. Two teaspoons of honey may be as effective as certain types of cough medicines at relieving throat irritation and coughing. However, honey can occasionally lead to botulism â a type of illness caused by food poisoning â in children under the age of one year, so never give it to babies.

Humidifiers

Ice Chips, Popsicles, and Cold Drinks

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Sore Throat Threat Level: Always Guarded

When it comes to sore throat, forget the “low” threat level. The symptom always merits “guarded” or even “elevated” alertness. Pay attention, but don’t panic.

If you were talking loudly at a noisy, smoky bar, you may have strained your vocal cords, resulting in throat soreness. If you have hay fever, or if your allergies are acting up, that can make your throat feel scratchy. Even sleeping with your mouth open in the winter, when the air can get as dry as the Sahara, can cause a sore throat.

Even if your sore throat is caused by a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu, you probably can wait it out while drinking hot tea with honey and sucking on throat lozenges to ease the discomfort. Because most sore throats are caused by viruses that don’t respond to antibiotics, there’s not much you can do about them outside of resting so your immune system is strong and ready to fight the invaders.

“Wait a day, drink plenty of fluids, take pain medication if you’d like,” Sataloff tells WebMD. “You might as well try vitamin C. The data are controversial, but vitamin C doesn’t do any harm, and there’s some suggestion that vitamin C and antioxidants may have some efficacy. These are not unreasonable things to do when helping your body fight off an infection, and that’s what it has to do since we don’t treat viral infections with antibiotics.”

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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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

How To Avoid Allergens

Avoiding your allergic rhinitis triggers will certainly improve your symptoms but its not an easy task so here are a few tips.

Animal dander have animal-free zones within your home.

Dust mites use allergy-proof bedding.

Mould spores address any problems that could lead to damp e.g. a leaky pipe.

Pollen keep an eye on pollen counts for your local area.

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S For Managing Your Sore Throat

The first step in managing your allergy-induced sore throats is visiting a professional. From there, we can determine the root cause of your allergy, and help you create a personalized plan for removing the trigger from your life and/or ways to manage your allergies when removing the trigger isnt a realistic solution.

Short Term Relief

Providing short-term relief for a sore throat can usually be accomplished through the use of simple but effective home remedies. Drink warm liquids, especially tea with honey or lemon, and chicken broth or bouillon. Cold liquids can also help. Suck on Popsicles, hard candy, or throat lozenges to soothe irritation. Gargle with warm salt water several times a day. Use a humidifier or vaporizer to moisten the air.

Long Term Relief

More long-term solutions can involve immunotherapy, which is a series of allergy shots designed to build up your bodys immune system against the allergen causing you and your body stress.

Whats 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.

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Other Causes And Treatments Of Swollen Glands

Can allergies cause swollen glands? Sometimes. Other causes of swollen glands include:

The treatment of swollen glands will depend on the underlying cause.

• Swollen lymph nodes due to a viral infection tend to resolve on their own after the viral infection resolves. However, antiviral medications may be recommended.
• Swollen lymph nodes due to a bacterial infection require antibiotic treatment.
• Swollen lymph nodes due to HIV/AIDS infection require specific treatment for this medical condition.
• Swollen lymph nodes due to immune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus require treatment directed on the underlying cause.
• Swollen lymph nodes due to cancers require specific treatment depending on the type of cancer. In general, treatments include surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

Seek immediate medical help in cases when swollen lymph glands are accompanied with:

• High fever
• Redness of the skin over the swollen lymph nodes
• Night sweats

Should You Have Your Tonsils Removed

These days, its not as common for tonsils to be removed. Removal will only be considered if there are frequent bouts of pustular tonsillitis that require antibioticssay, five or more attacks in one year, says Dr. Morrison, especially if the infections dont get better with treatment or theyre getting in the way of daily activities. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist, who will ultimately make the final decision regarding surgery.

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What Are The Common Signs And Symptoms Of Food Allergy

Allergic reactions usually occur and develop within a few minutes to two hours after ingesting the offending food. It may cause discomfort to affected individuals. Some may even experience severe effects which can be frightening and at time life-threatening. The most common signs and symptoms involved in food allergies were as follow:

• Tingling sensation and itching in the mouth area

• Occurrence of eczema and hives

• Face, lips, tongue, throat swelling after eating

• Trouble in breathing

• Nausea and vomiting

• Dizziness and fainting

Anaphylaxis or severe allergic reaction may be experienced. This is a serious condition that can cause life-threatening signs and symptoms:

• Tightening or constriction of the air passages

• Difficulty in breathing due to swollen areas or lump present in the throat

• Severe drop in the blood pressure caused by shock

• Rapid or increased pulse rate

• Lightheadedness leading to possible loss of consciousness

Anaphylaxis is a critical condition that should be given emergency treatment. If remained untreated, this condition may lead to coma and even death.

Note:

If symptoms or signs of food allergy occur shortly after eating, see a doctor or an allergist immediately. If possible, seek medical help when the allergic reaction is still present as this will help in the diagnosis and treatments. Remember to have emergency treatment when any signs or symptoms of anaphylaxis are observed.