Can Allergies Cause Inflamed Throat

Your Tonsils Need A Good Cleaning

If, in addition to swollen tonsils, youre experiencing a sensation of fullness in your throat, you might have what experts call tonsilloliths, or tonsil stones.

These yellow-white spots are pebbles that have a cheese-like quality to them, and are typically a result of tiny food particles building up in the nooks and crannies of the tonsils, says Dr. DeSilva. This can cause bacteria to grow, leading to swelling and all-around discomfort.

The fix? Gargling with salt water or using a water pick is helpful for removing tonsil stones, says DeSilva. You can also gently dig out extra-stubborn ones with a cotton swab or the back of your toothbrush, followed by regularly brushing and flossing to prevent new stones from setting up shop.

How To Tell If Allergic Rhinitis Is Causing Sore Throat

From flu to infection, a sore throat has a variety of causes so its best not to jump to any premature conclusions on the matter. However, if youd like to know whats distinctive about a sore throat thats caused by allergic rhinitis, here are a few things to consider.

Have you got any other symptoms?;

Although one symptom may be worse than another, allergic rhinitis doesnt usually cause just a sore throat on its own. Therefore, if this is the only issue you are experiencing, it may be time to consider what else could be the cause other than allergic rhinitis.;

How long has it been a problem?;

If your sore throat persists for a few weeks or more and is accompanied be other allergic rhinitis symptoms such as congestion and watery eyes, it may indicate that this condition is the cause. At this stage its advisable to visit a doctor for further advice.

When is it problematic?;

Pollen is the most common cause of allergic rhinitis and becomes most problematic around spring and summer when plants begin to pollinate. So, if your notice your sore throat regularly gets worse around this time, once again allergic rhinitis could be the issue.

Gentle Aids For The Throat In Case Of Allergic Sore Throats:

First of all, it should be ruled out that the sore throat are symptoms of other illnesses such as the common cold or the like. If an allergy is identified as the cause, it is important to address the allergy yourself. First, however, there are natural options and remedies that can help relieve a sore throat.

• Drink Plenty of Water: In order to relieve the dryness caused by breathing in the mouth or the irritation caused by the postnasal drip, it is important to drink plenty of water. On the one hand, this keeps the tissue moist and, on the other hand, it helps to liquefy the mucus in the throat, which reduces the irritation.
• Sweet Honey: If you are not a fan of pure water, you can use a mixture of warm water and honey. Just put 1 tablespoon of honey in a glass of warm water and stir well. This home remedy has been used to relieve pain in the throat for many years. The sweetness of the honey can reduce the difficulty swallowing.
• Salt as an Aid: Gargling with salt water is another ancient remedy for treating a sore throat. The antiseptic properties of salt also prevent inflammation from developing. Simply stir 1 teaspoon of salt into a glass of water and make sure that the salt dissolves well. If you dont want to gargle, a saltwater nasal spray can do the same thing. Rinsing your nose with salt is also helpful in this case. Like gargling, the salt water can reach the affected mucous membranes in the throat through the nose and relieve the irritation.

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When To See A Doctor For Chronic Sore Throat

According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, its a good idea to see a doctor if a sore throat lasts longer than five to seven days. If youve experienced a consistent sore throat for several weeks, you should consult with a doctor. Diagnosing the cause of a sore throat is often easy and treatment can be very effective, but its important to seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of the following:

• high fever
• swelling in the throat that makes breathing, talking, or swallowing difficult
• severe pain on one side of the throat
• severely swollen glands
• a lump or obstruction in the throat

Seeing a doctor is the best way to stop your chronic sore throat at the source. Home remedies can be helpful to soothe an irriateted throat, but a doctor will be able to diagnose the root cause and recommend a treatment to help you find lasting relief.

Mucus In Throat Every Morning

If you wake up each day with mucus in throat, which you feel needs to be expelled, there are a few different reasons for that. For starters, mucus in throat in the morning could be a result of an infection or allergy, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or it could be a sign of congestive heart failure.Congestive heart failure, in particular, can cause daily mucus in throat each morning, because the heart has a difficult time moving high amounts of blood through the body, causing fluid buildup. This fluid accumulates in the lungs, especially when a person is laying flat throughout the night. The result is a wet cough in the morning or throughout the night.

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How Can You Tell If Your Sore Throat Is From Allergies

Sore throat, especially during the winter months, can also signal a cold or a virus, making it hard to tell what you’re dealing with. It can be difficult to differentiate between a cold and allergies, but the best way to differentiate between the two would be length of symptoms and past history of allergies, Dr. Li says.;

“Both allergies and the seasonal cold can cause runny nose, stuffy nose, sneezing, watery eyes and cough,” he says. “However, cold symptoms typically last only a few days while allergy symptoms will often last several weeks to months.”;

Allergy symptoms also typically flare up during the spring, summer and fall seasons, while colds usually come during the winter times, Dr. Li says. Allergy symptoms are also more responsive to oral antihistamine and nasal steroids while cold symptoms typically are more resistant to these types of treatments. Lastly, colds or viruses that can cause sore throat will usually will present with more fevers and body aches than allergies will.;

Certain symptoms, such as runny nose or itchy, watery eyes, are more common with allergies than a cold, Dr. Simpson adds. If you’re also experiencing aches and pains or a fever, you most likely have a cold or virus. Thick yellow mucus is often more typical of a cold or virus.;

Can I Prevent Allergy Symptoms

If youre suffering from allergy symptoms you can try to limit your exposure to the allergens whenever possible. Some suggestions include:

• Stay away from cigarette smoke and pets;
• If you have seasonal allergies, you can also keep your windows closed during the peak months when your symptoms flare-up;
• If you do go outside, wear a mask to protect yourself
• Delegate allergy triggers such as mowing the grass
• Keep your home or office as clean as possible if you know dust mites are a problem
• If you have food allergies, avoid those foods
• Use over-the-counter allergy medications to help control your symptoms
• Use air conditioning in the car or home
• Use a dehumidifier to keep the indoor air dry in your house
• Select a high-efficiency filter for your HVAC unit and follow recommended maintenance to care for these units
• Clean your home with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter

There are all kinds of over-the-counter medications that you can try. They could potentially help for a time. Nonprescription medications could include:

• Antihistamines or decongestants
• Nasal sprays
• Saline or nasal irrigation

However, you cant always avoid or limit your exposure to the things that cause your allergies, such as pollen, pet dander, or mold. Over-the-counter medications may not alleviate your symptoms. Fortunately, your doctor can help with medications to alleviate your symptoms.

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Can Allergies Cause Sore Throat: This Is How It Comes To A Sore Throat With Hay Fever

If you have severe hay fever, you are forced to breathe through your mouth. The mucous membranes dry out faster there than in the nose, which weakens their protective barrier bacteria have an easy time of it and the throat becomes sore.

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Your nose filters pollen particles better than your mouth. When you start breathing through your mouth, the pollen particles go straight into your body. They first land in the area of ââthe throat, where they irritate the tissue. In addition, your body registers the arrival of the pollen and treats it as a potentially threatening foreign body. This triggers the release of the chemical histamine to fight the invaders. Histamine makes the nerve endings in the throat more sensitive, causing itching in the throat and roof of the mouth.

The combination of a dry and itchy throat area, especially over a longer period of time like the hay fever season, often leads to an inflammation of the tissue, which is then perceived as a sore throat.

In addition, the excess mucus flows from the inflamed nasal passages and sinuses to the back of the throat. This process is also known as postnasal drip. The mucus irritates the sensitive tissue in the throat and causes pressure pain, which can lead to severe swallowing difficulties.

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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How Is Strep Throat Different From A Sore Throat With A Cold

Strep throat is caused by an infection of streptococcus bacteria. Strep throat spreads by having contact with an infected person’s saliva or nasal secretions. Although strep throat is more common in children ages 5 to 15, it also occurs in adults. To diagnose strep throat, your doctor can check a rapid strep test or send a throat swab to the lab for a culture. In some cases, they may be able to diagnose strep based on your reported symptoms and other signs, such as white spots in the throat area, fever, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.

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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Other Causes Of A Sore Throat

Regular cold and flu can also cause a sore throat, as can other environmental factors like extreme heat, cold, or dry air. Swallowing something incorrectly or choking can also lead to a sore throat afterwards. Occasionally a more serious condition, such as HIV or a tumor, can be the underlying cause of a sore throat.

When Mucus In Throat Can Become A Serious Issue

The color of your mucus in throat is a strong indicator of how severe the health problem is. Generally, thin and clear is the safest, and other colors could indicate a particular infection. Here are some guidelines to know when mucus in throat is a serious issue.

Thin and clear: Sign of cold or allergies, it could also be a sign of medication side effect or a reaction to certain food.

Thick and colored: If mucus is very thick, it could be a sign of dryness, which can be caused by heating systems. If mucus appears green, yellow, or brownish, it could indicate a bacterial infection.

Rattling sound in chest: If mucus is dripping down to your chest, it may be difficult to swallow and may cause a rattling sound, which may be pointing to pneumonia.

Burning sensation: If mucus is burning, it could be a result of a heartburn or GERD.Paying attention to your mucus can help offer insights into your overall health and give you indications on how to treat the mucus.

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What Sinus Issues Cause Sore Throat Symptoms

Sinusitis

Sinus infections frequently cause swelling and limit proper airflow through the sinus and nasal air passages. This blockage then causes drainage, congestion and further irritation. When an infection in the sinuses continues or returns for many weeks, it can develop into chronic sinusitis. Sinusitis can be very difficult to diagnose as an underlying cause, but an experienced ENT doctor will be able to address this problem to relieve a sore throat.

Bacterial Infection

Certain bacterial infections are known for having a particular effect on the throat, causing pain and other sore throat symptoms. Some of the most common bacterial infections that can cause sore throat include strep throat, tonsillitis, whooping cough and diphtheria. These infections will need to be diagnosed and treated by a doctor in order to heal and relieve your symptoms.

Nasal Drainage

Nasal issues that irritate the nose and cause extra mucus production or drainage can be at fault for your sore throat. Problems like enlarged turbinates, nasal polyps, and even a deviated septum can cause inflammation, irritation, and ultimately result in the congestion or post-nasal drip that can cause a sore throat.

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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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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Learn More About Mountain Ear Nose & Throat Associates

If youd like to learn more about Mountain Ear, Nose & Throat Associates and what we can do for you, you can contact the team using the following numbers depending on your location:

• Sylva: 828-586-7474
• Murphy: 828-835-1014
• New Asheville: 828-458-8100

Dont hesitate to get in touch and book your appointment with Mountain Ear, Nose & Throat Associates to come up with a solution for your situation today!;

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Soothing A Sore Throat At Home

Here are several home remedies that may help soothe a sore throat from allergies, according to Harvard Medical School:

• Stay well-hydrated to help to thin the mucus.
• Consume more hot liquids, such as chicken soup.
• Use a humidifier or inhale steam.
• Prop yourself up with a few extra pillows at night, since mucus can collect in the back of your throat when you lie flat.

There are also many over-the-counter medications available, including oral decongestants and antihistamines. Nasal decongestants may also be helpful, though Harvard Medical School cautions that they shouldn’t be used for more than one to two days. For help choosing the most appropriate product, talk to your doctor or a pharmacist.

While these steps can help soothe a sore throat from allergies, they won’t prevent future allergy symptoms. Pollen, whether from grass, trees or ragweed, is a common culprit of seasonal allergies, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, so avoiding exposure to it can help. The Mayo Clinic recommends staying indoors on dry, windy days and, if possible, keeping your doors and windows closed on days with high pollen counts. If you need to do outdoor chores, such as lawn mowing or weed pulling, wear a pollen mask.