Can Allergies Cause Throat Pain

What Food Changes May Be Needed For Allergic Esophagitis

You may need to stop eating certain foods for a while to see if your symptoms improve. Start eating these foods again one at a time as directed. If certain foods cause your symptoms, do not eat them. Some common examples are dairy, nuts, eggs, and seafood. You may need to change what you eat to relieve your symptoms. You may need to see a dietitian to help you get the right amount of nutrients.

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 but take a few days to start working.

As a natural treatment, allergy-prone children should reduce their exposure to the allergen as much as possible. For example, children allergic to pollen shouldn’t sleep with bedroom windows open during the pollen season, and they should shower before bedtime to remove as much pollen as possible. Similarly, children with allergies to dogs or cats should be kept away from these animals. Keeping hydrated and using high-efficiency particulate air filters may also help.

If your child has serious or prolonged allergy symptoms, talk with a doctor, who may diagnose allergies by examining your child and reviewing their symptoms and medical history. In some cases, the doctor will conduct blood or skin tests to make a diagnosis, and they might recommend prescription medication or treatment with allergy shots.

Can My Throat Hurt From Allergies

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:

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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Sore Throat And Ear Pain

Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

• Frequently Asked Questions

Having a sore throat and ear pain at the same time is common because these parts of your body are connected by the Eustachian tube.

When there is a problem in your ears, nose, or throat , the link between these parts means it’s more likely you’ll also have symptoms in more than one.

Throat pain is a common symptom of a cold or the flu. When throat pain occurs with ear pain, the causes can include allergies, infections, or tonsillitis.

Verywell / Nez Riaz

This article will go over the different causes of sore throat and ear pain, how the symptoms can be treated, and when to see a provider for them.

Can Allergies Cause Ear Infections

Allergies can also lead to the development of ear infections. People who have seasonal or year long allergies are more likely to experience ear infections than those without.

Environmental allergies can irritate the eustachian tube, which runs from the middle ear to the throat. The eustachian tube helps balance pressure between the outer and inner ear.

An allergy can cause swelling around the eustachian tube, which can prevent fluid from draining away from the middle ear.

If this fluid collects behind the ear drum, it increases the risk of bacteria and viruses growing in the fluid. These bacteria and viruses can cause an ear infection in the middle ear.

Symptoms of a middle ear infection can appear suddenly and may include:

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Causes Of Throat Pain And Treatment Options

Everything you need to know about throat pain

• Frequently Asked Questions

Throat pain can be caused by a number of ailments. Some causes, like strep throat and acute laryngitis, are transient and often resolve on their own. Other causes, like acid reflux, can be chronic and require treatment from a healthcare professional.

Throat pain and painful swallowing can make it difficult to eat and drink. If severe enough, swallowing problems can lead to weight loss or other problems.

This article will cover the different causes of throat pain and explain when you should see a doctor. It will also offer suggestions for easing a sore throat.

Verywell / Alexandra Gordon

How Do Allergies Cause A Sore Throat

In order to understand how allergies cause a sore throat, its important to understand how an allergic response happens.

The immune system works to protect your body from diseases, viruses and infections. But for people with allergies, the immune system mistakes harmless substances such as pollen, pet dander, dust mites, certain foods, mold and insect stings as a dangerous intruder. An allergic reaction occurs when your body is exposed to one of these harmless substances, known as an allergen, and the immune system overreacts.

In order to fight off the intruder, the immune system releases antibodies called Immunoglobulin E , which causes the cells to release histamine. Histamine increases mucus production and causes swelling and itching.

The excess mucus can result in postnasal drip, which is when mucus drains down the back of the throat, making it feel raw and irritated. In addition, inflammation can occur in the throat, adding to the discomfort.

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There Are Various Reasons Why You Could Be Experiencing A Cough Or Sore Throat

Post-nasal drip will also irritate your esophagus and occurs because of sinusitis or the more chronic allergic rhinitis also known as Hay Fever. Post-nasal drip occurs when your sinuses become clogged, hence the term plugged up. Usually, youll experience additional symptoms, such as nasal congestion, sneezing and a runny or itchy nose, similar to symptoms we notice when our allergies are acting up.

Even food allergies can cause a sore throat. Generally, youll notice almost instant swelling and enlarging of the throat, which can quickly advance to anaphylaxis. This is a much more serious allergic reaction than an irritated throat. Often allergy medications , such as Benadryl, can have side effects such as a dry, scratchy throat, along with dry mouth. Consult a doctor before taking any medication and monitor your reactions to these types of allergy medicines.

For those with more serious allergies, symptoms can last an entire season, especially in the springtime. The flu and common cold will generally only have symptoms for a week to two weeks. If it is allergies, you will most likely also experience:

• itchy, watery eyes
• post-nasal drip

Its important if you are experiencing these symptoms to get tested by your local allergist. Rather than treating the symptoms, its best to find and treat the cause.

How You Treat It

Take an over-the-counter pain reliever.Acetaminophen or NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen can take the edge off many cold symptoms, including your sore throat. Make sure you follow the directions on the label.

If you have other medical problems or take other meds, check with your doctor before taking any over-the-counter drugs.

Deal with your nasal symptoms. Mucus from your sinuses can drain into your throat, adding to its soreness. If you have a runny nose or youre stuffed up, an over-the-counter or antihistamine may help.

If hay fever is causing the drip of mucus into your throat, allergy treatments will ease your soreness, too.

Try a throat spray. Over-the-counter versions of these numbing products can help. Herbal sprays with echinacea and sage may also make you feel better.

Take zinc. If you have a cold, some studies show that you can ease symptoms if you take zinc lozenges every 2 hours. They seem to work best if you start to use them within 48 hours after you get sick.

Gargle with salt water. Swish warm, salty water in the back of your throat a few times a day to bring down swelling and ease pain. Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon in 1/2 cup of warm water.

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When To Seek Medical Help

Postnasal drip can be annoying, but it usually isn’t dangerous, as Harvard Medical School explains. However, there are some circumstances when you should seek medical help. See your doctor or dentist if your symptoms get worse or if they aren’t relieved by home remedies. You should also see your doctor if your sore throat is accompanied by other worrying symptoms, such as an unexplained fever or bloody mucus.

Allergy season has arrived, and while you may experience a sore throat from allergies, rest assured that there are many home remedies that can help to soothe your symptoms. If these home remedies aren’t enough, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice.

Oral Care Center articles are reviewed by an oral health medical professional. This information is for educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist, physician or other qualified healthcare provider.

How Do I Know If I Have A Sore Throat Cold Or Allergies

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.

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Viral And Bacterial Infections

If your throat pain is caused by an infection, you will probably have other symptoms. These may include:

See a doctor if you have extreme pain or severe swelling of the tonsils. Throat pain accompanied by a rash is often bacterial. A doctor can decide if you need antibiotics.

It is hard to tell the difference between bacterial and viral throat pain. Strep throat can lead to serious complications if left untreated, so when in doubt, get tested.

Almost any healthcare provider can perform a strep test. This includes family practitioners and urgent care providers.

How Do Ear Infections Occur

The Eustachian tubes connect the middle ears to the back of the nose/throat and allow fluid to drain. When theyre inflamed during an allergy attack, they become blocked, meaning fluid builds up in the middle ear. This is the perfect environment for bacteria to grow, causing an infection.

Symptoms of an ear infection include:

• Balance problems.

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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.

Throat And Ear Pain That Doesn’t Go Away

Throat and ear pain can come and go or can be constant and slow to get better, depending on what is causing the symptoms.

For example, acid reflux is more likely to cause pain that is worse in the morning and gets better later in the day. Seasonal allergies, strep throat, and mono are more likely to come with throat and ear pain that does not go away until the conditions are treated.

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Start With Some Home Remedies For Cold And Allergy Symptoms

When you start feeling icky, some simple home remedies can provide temporary relief. For starters, try to get more rest. Both allergies and colds can cause tiredness, so listen to your body and take it easy.

Also, take advantage of saltwater to soothe irritated nasal passages and scratchy or sore throats.

For your nose, use a neti pot. A neti pot can be picked up at any local drugstore or online, and typically comes with packets to mix with warm, distilled water to create a saltwater solution to pour through your nasal passages.

For your throat, simply mix a quarter or half teaspoon of table salt into an 8-ounce glass of warm water. Take a sip and gargle for a few seconds like you would with mouthwash. Then spit and repeat until the solution is gone. You can do this a couple times a day.

About Sore Throat And Ear Pain

Ears and nose are two of the important sense organs of the human body. It may be interesting to note that ears, nose, and throat have a connection between them which links all the three to one another. Infection or an allergy affecting any one of these three structures results in discomfort in all the three. The middle ear and the throat are connected by a narrow tube known as Eustachian tube. Sore throat almost always blocks this tube, which is a result of swelling of the tube, and this in turn results in increased pressure in the ear causing ear pain.

However, in some cases patients also experience one-sided sore throat and ear pain. This happens when the infection affects only one side of the throat. In such cases the pain only affects on one side leaving the other side pain free.

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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
• 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.

Diagnosing Throat And Ear Pain

To diagnose the cause of your throat and ear pain, your provider might do a rapid strep test, a mono spot test, or a throat culture.

If these tests do not find the cause of your pain, you might need to have a computed tomography scan to look at your sinuses, allergy testing, or an endoscopy to look down your throat.

Your provider might also have you try medications that help with specific conditions, like acid reflux, to see if it makes your symptoms better.

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Tooth Infection Or Abscess

A dental abscess is a pocket of pus at the tip of your tooths root caused by a bacterial infection. An abscessed tooth can cause severe pain that radiates to your ear and jaw on the same side. The lymph nodes in your neck and throat may also be swollen and tender.

Other symptoms include:

• sensitivity to heat and cold
• pain when chewing and swallowing
• swelling in your cheek or face

How Is Hay Fever Diagnosed

Your healthcare provider will examine you, ask about your symptoms and evaluate you for other conditions, such as a cold or asthma. To measure your antibodies to specific allergens, your provider may take a blood sample and send it to a lab for testing. This blood test is called an immunoglobulin E test. It can detect all types of allergies, including food allergies.

Your provider may recommend a skin prick test to determine what allergens are causing your symptoms.

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Why Allergies Cause Sore Throat

When you’re allergic to something, your bodys immune system mistakes it for something dangerous and starts making antibodies against it. Amongst other things, this encourages the production of more mucus.

Mucus is usually helpful, since it can help trap substances that enter the nose so they can be removed. However, excess mucus production can cause nasal and sinus congestion. That congestion can then drain into the throat, causing soreness and other symptoms.

Common allergens that can cause a sore throat from postnatal drip include:

What Is Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is an allergic reaction to tiny particles in the air called allergens. When you breathe in allergens through your nose or mouth, your body reacts by releasing a natural chemical called histamine. Several indoor and outdoor allergens cause hay fever. Common causes include dust mites, mold, pet dander and pollen from trees and plants.

Symptoms of hay fever include sneezing, nasal congestion and irritation of the nose, throat, mouth and eyes. Allergic rhinitis is not the same as infectious rhinitis, otherwise known as the common cold. Hay fever is not contagious.

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