What Are Your Symptoms
Both allergies and colds may cause a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, a cough, and fatigue. Itchy eyes, post-nasal drip, and dark circles under your eyes are more common with allergies. Symptoms more commonly caused by a virus include sore throat, cloudy or discolored nasal discharge, fever, and general aches and pains.
Recommended Reading: Zyrtec Allergy Medicine
Talk With A Doctor Or Clinician To Create A Personalized Treatment Plan
If you arent sure if its a cold or allergies, or if your symptoms are severe or long-lasting, its best to connect with a care provider to get an official diagnosis and treatment plan.
If your allergy symptoms are left untreated, you could become more prone to getting sinus infections or other upper respiratory infections, or may lead to poor asthma control.
Also, a common cold can turn severe. So, if your cold has had you laid up longer than a day or two, get in touch with your doctor.
You have a couple options:
Make an appointment for face-to-face care from a primary care doctor or clinician. Whether you choose a video visit or in-person appointment, your doctor will listen to your symptoms, answer questions and work with you to create a tailored treatment plan including connecting you with an allergist or an otolaryngologist if needed.
Start a virtual visit anytime, anyplace through Virtuwell. With Virtuwell, no appointment is necessary and treatment is available 24/7. Getting started is easy. Well ask you a few questions, and youll get your diagnosis and treatment plan from a board-certified nurse practitioner. Each visit is just $59 or less, depending on your insurance.
Itchy Throat Due To Acid Reflux:
Another lesser-known cause of a scratchy throat is acidity, otherwise known as heartburn. Itchy throat due to acidity is quite common among those who experience chronic acid reflux condition or GERD. In these conditions, the acid in your stomach can travel back into your esophagus which results in an itchy throat.
Don’t Miss: Green Allergy Medicine
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.
Know Your Paths To Care
Were here to help you get better quickly, with tools and information for self-care and convenient options for visits or advice when you need it. Easy ways to get help for your cold or allergy symptoms include:
- Consulting Nurse Service: Call a nurse, who will assess your symptoms and recommend treatments or other next steps. Available 24/7.
- Online visit: Complete a questionnaire about your symptoms. A clinician will provide a diagnosis, treatment plan and, if needed, a prescription without a trip to your doctors office.
- CareClinic by Kaiser Permanente at Bartell Drugs:Walk in for care at 15 Puget Sound Bartell Drugs locations. Open 7 days a week with evening and weekend hours.
Don’t Miss: Can You Take Allergy Medicine With Antibiotics
When Should I Be Concerned
Tearing of the eyes, swelling, etc. are perennial allergies due to allergens like animals, dust, or mold, says Mili Shum, MD, allergist and immunologist at U of U Health. Your symptoms will be the same as last year.
Cough, post-nasal drip, or a history of asthma are known triggers for allergic reactions. For people who are aware of their allergies, the symptoms should not be out of proportion from reactions in the past. If the cough feels different to you, or if you have a fever, this is most likely not an allergic reaction but something else.
Its still early in the COVID-19 phase, Shum says. People are still attributing their symptoms to their allergies.
If your cough gets worse to the point you have difficulty breathing, call your health care provider and seek immediate medical attention.
Dont Miss: Can Allergies Cause Shortness Of Breath And Chest Tightness
Itchy Back Of The Throat And Sore Throat After Cold Flu
A sore throat and dry cough are some of the primary symptoms of the common cold virus. When you have a sore throat that normally happens after a cold, you are likely to get a scratchy feeling in your throat. This is caused by the inflammation of tissues at the back of the throat due to the virus infection.
Sometimes, a post nasal drip may accompany common cold and flu. This always irritates the back of mouth and throat, forcing you to cough in order to clear up the irritation. If you have flu, you might experience headaches, fatigue, fever and sometimes vomit. In order to cure itchy throat after cold or flu attacks, you might need to get medication that relieves these symptoms.
Don’t Miss: Allergy Medicine Zyrtec
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.
Donât Miss: Zirtech
Can Allergic Rhinitis Be Prevented Or Avoided
Allergic rhinitis cannot be prevented. You can help your symptoms by avoiding the things that cause your symptoms, including:
- Keeping windows closed. This is especially important during high-pollen seasons.
- Washing your hands after petting animals.
- Using dust- and mite-proof bedding and mattress covers.
- Wearing glasses outside to protect your eyes.
- Showering before bed to wash off allergens from hair and skin.
You can also avoid things that can make your symptoms worse, such as:
- Aerosol sprays.
- Wood smoke.
Also Check: What Allergy Medicine Is Stronger Than Zyrtec
Itchy Throat: When To See A Doctor
If the itchy throat doesnât seem to resolve and you are experiencing other symptoms such as fever, body aches, cough, nasal congestion, etc., you most likely have some sort of infection. You must consult a registered medical practitioner who will identify the root cause and treat you accordingly.
You must also consult a doctor when you experience aggravated symptoms of allergies or acidity and you donât feel good about yourself.
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 .
Read Also: What Allergy Medicine Is Stronger Than Zyrtec
Tonsil Stones & Allergies: Can Allergies Cause Tonsil Stones In Your Throat
Estella used to have a happy life..
Until one day she was affected by a serious allergy. Thats it she started getting those gross stones in her throat. From that day onwards, whenever she was affected by allergies, she started getting tonsil stones again and again.
But why?
Why is this happening? Can food, pollen, dust, fur, and other allergies really cause tonsil stones? If so, how is it possible?
First of all, How is a tonsil stone formed?
Without knowing how a tonsil stone is actually formed, it is almost impossible for anyone to understand/follow the process of tonsil stone elimination. This is the reason why I repeat this section in almost all of my articles.
Now, How is a tonsil stone formed on ones tonsils?
Tonsils are important glands that are present on both sides of a persons throat. Medically, when stones are formed on these tonsillar glands, we call them the tonsil stones or the tonsilloliths.
A tonsil stone is nothing but a hardened calcium particle, that is a homogeneous accumulation of mucus, dead cells, bacteria, food particles, and other waste materials. See How to get rid of my tonsil stones Quickly tonight?
Now.. Coming to the main point..
Read Also: What Allergy Medicine Is Stronger Than Zyrtec
Treatment Options For Itchy Throat
Medical treatment options to help relieve throat itchiness depend on its cause. Some common treatment options for itchy throat include painkillers, cough medicine, corticosteroids, antihistamines, antibiotics, and antifungals. Its important to keep in mind that many of these treatments may result in side effects, so always use prescribed medications as directed.
Read Also: Can You Suddenly Develop Food Allergies
What To Do If You Have Anaphylaxis
Give yourself epinephrine right away if you start to:
- have trouble breathing
- feel tightness in your throat
- feel faint
- have two or more milder allergic symptoms together
Dont try to use an inhaler or antihistamine and wait to see what happens. Go straight for the epinephrine! Seconds count during anaphylaxis.
If you have signs of a serious allergic reaction:
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.
Recommended Reading: Nasacort Allergy Reviews
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.
Bacterial And Viral Infections
If you notice that you have a sore, itchy throat, it may be down to the common cold. However, it could also be caused by more serious bacterial and viral infections that affect throat health. Things like strep throat or tonsillitis will cause itchiness in the throat, which will develop into a very sore throat over time. It is best to get checked by an ENT doctor so you can catch the infection in the early stages and get treated with antibiotics right away.
Don’t Miss: What Allergy Medicine Is Stronger Than Zyrtec
A Quit Smoking To Heal Scratchy Throat
Quit smoking to stop a scratchy throat
A dry cough and tickle could be a result of smoking. Cigarette smoking causes a dry throat. It is a direct cause of the itchiness and irritation on your gums, mouth, and back of the mouth.
According to GreenMedInfo, relieving acidic tissues in smokers, which are normally more acidic in tobacco users using lime can help you stop smoking and heal a constant sore throat. You can use lime as a remedy to quit smoking faster.
How Is Allergic Rhinitis Diagnosed
If your symptoms interfere with your daily life, see your family doctor. Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical exam. Keeping a record of your symptoms over a period of time can help your doctor determine what triggers your allergies.
Your doctor may want to do an allergy skin test to determine what you are allergic to. During an allergy skin test, tiny amounts of allergens are applied to your skin. You will feel tiny pricks to your skin. It is not painful. Your doctor will observe and record the way your skin reacts to each allergen.
Your doctor may also decide to do a blood test, such as the radioallergosorbent test . This test identifies antibodies in your blood that determine what youre allergic to. Once your allergens are identified, you and your doctor can decide the best treatment.
Dont Miss: How To Read Allergy Skin Test Results
You May Like: How Long Does A Drug Reaction Rash Last
A Wet Hacking Cough Screams Cold
While a cough is common for both allergy flares and colds, the type of cough for each is different. A cold cough is wet and hacking, and often produces mucus or phlegm that gets progressively thicker, often taking on a green or yellow tinge.
Allergy-related coughs usually feel like you have a tickle in your throat. Thats because allergens often irritate the lining of your nose, which triggers your nasal passages to create a watery mucus. This can drip out of your nose and down the back of your throat, creating that tickling sensation.
Symptoms Of Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis typically causes cold-like symptoms, such as sneezing, itchiness and a blocked or runny nose.
These symptoms usually start soon after being exposed to an allergen.
Some people only get allergic rhinitis for a few months at a time because they’re sensitive to seasonal allergens, such as tree or grass pollen. Other people get allergic rhinitis all year round.
Most people with allergic rhinitis have mild symptoms that can be easily and effectively treated.
But for some people symptoms can be severe and persistent, causing sleep problems and interfering with everyday life.
The symptoms of allergic rhinitis occasionally improve with time, but this can take many years and it’s unlikely that the condition will disappear completely.
Recommended Reading: Can You Take Robitussin With Allergy Medicine
C Drink Apple Cider Vinegar To Relieve Itch In The Throat
Apple cider vinegar is an anti-inflammatory home remedy. It can also get rid of bacteria that irritate the tissues in the back of your mouth. Heres how to relieve itchy throat with vinegar.
You can also mix this solution with a little honey. It will improve the taste and add potency to the remedy.
Other natural remedies include vegetables, vitamin C, ginger water or tea. Drinking plenty of water and other fluids can help hydrate your body and prevent a dry throat. Using a humidifier in the house will help prevent a scratchy throat at night. A horseradish drink can also provide quick relief. Below are medications used to stop itch in the throat.
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.
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.
Read Also: What Foods To Avoid If You Have A Latex Allergy
