Common Causes Of Sore Throat
When you need care and advice for sore throat symptoms, our urgent care is here for you.
Recent Posts
Is Your Cough Covid
While allergies can cause a cough, especially if your lungs or respiratory tract become irritated, coughs are a less common symptom. One of the unique things about COVID-19 coughs is that they are dry, rather than wet. If you have a cough, its worth checking in with your healthcare providers 24/7 nurse hotline.
Are Your Eyes Red Burning Itchy Watery
While its true that COVID has been linked to pink eye infections, pink eye is a more rare COVID-19 symptom. Red, itchy, watery eyes are more likely to be caused by seasonal or environmental allergies, which we refer to as allergic conjunctivitis. Eyes reacting to allergens typically have consistently clear, teary runoff, whereas a bacterial or viral eye infection such as pink eye typically causes white, cream, yellowish, or greenish discharge.
When patients experience persistent red, burning/itchy, or watery eyes as the result of allergies, it is often accompanied by additional allergy symptoms such as sneezing, an itchy throat, running nose, etc.
You May Like: Can Allergies Cause Red Spots On Throat
Viral Or Sinus Infection
Cold or flu viruses are commonly responsible for distressing swallowing. Sometimes sinus infections can also be the culprit. Your throat can hurt due to swollen tonsils, coughing, or sinus drip. Viral and sinus infections can bring several symptoms like headache, runny nose, fever. The best way to combat these infections is to get plenty of rest and OTC pain medications.
How Can I Prevent My Throat From Burning
Preventing throat burning depends on addressing the root causes of the symptoms. Good oral hygiene is key in preventing some of these conditions. Make a habit of brushing your teeth, scraping your tongue, and using mouthwash twice a day.
If you get sick, take care of yourself and treat the source of your illness. And if you have allergies, talk with your doctor about the best ways to manage them to prevent a burning throat.
Recommended Reading: Can Allergies Cause Tooth Sensitivity
Do You Typically Have Allergies This Time Of Year
Allergies can strike at any time. Some people get them their entire lives, others get them when a particular type of grass or pollen is blooming more abundantly in a given season or year. If you are someone who tends to get allergies during the spring and early summer, self-check your current symptoms with the ones you are used to from previous allergies.
If you or a family member suffers from allergies, visit our post Eye Allergies: 11 Tips to Avoid Symptoms.
Do you have a preferred treatment method such as using a neti pot, taking over-the-counter allergy medicine, steroidal nasal sprays, or an allergy-specific prescription? If so, use those and see if you find relief. If you do, your symptoms are just a sign that another allergy season is upon you, and you are probably not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
A Common Cold Flu Or More Serious Infection
Sore throats are the most common tell of a common cold or flu, but a more severe sore throat and/or one that lasts more than a couple days may be a sign of a more serious infection. If you have a sore throat that lasts longer than two days, and/or is accompanied by a fever, severely swollen tonsils or pus pockets visible on your tonsils or throat, you may have tonsillitis or strep throat.
While a healthy immune system usually combats infection on its own, some types of infections require antibiotic treatment.
Recommended Reading: Do Dogs Get Red Eyes From Allergies
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.
Pain Or Difficulty Swallowing
There are many different ways this can affect you. You might get the feeling:
- that there is something small stuck in your throat
- you are completely unable to swallow food
- of some pain or a burning sensation when swallowing food
- that your food is sticking in your throat
If you experience any of these symptoms for more than a few weeks, then you need to see your doctor for advice and further tests.
Don’t Miss: Does Exercise Help With Allergies
How Can You Tell The Difference Between Allergies And A Cold
This time of year, its especially tough to tell what might be causing your sore throat: Is it allergies, a cold, or the flu? And as the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, continues to spread, its more difficult than everone of its symptoms is a scratchy throat. Both allergies and viral infections can cause symptoms like a sore throat, runny nose, headaches, and congestion. How can you tell whats actually making you feel crummy?
The way your symptoms appear is 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. Meanwhile, if you start to notice itching, stuffiness, or an annoying tickle in the back of your throat after spending some time outside, youre probably dealing with allergies.
Related Stories
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. And if your allergy medications dont seem to be helping, thats also a sign your symptoms could be pointing to a cold, flu, COVID-19, or something else.
Unfortunately, they arent mutually exclusive: 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.
Itching Or Burning And Swollen Tonsils
- Medical Author: Melinda Ratini, DO
Last Editorial Review: 6/15/2020
A throat infection caused by a virus or strep can make your tonsils swell. Allergies can do the same and may cause an itchy, burning throat. If you are having an allergic reaction to a medicine or food, or something in your environment, it can also leave you with an itchy, sore throat.
While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms and signs. Here are a number of those from MedicineNet:
You May Like: Will Allergies Make Your Eyes Crusty
How Is Allergic Esophagitis Treated
Allergic esophagitis may not go away completely. Treatment may help relieve your symptoms.
- Steroid medicine may help decrease swelling in your esophagus. You will swallow the medicine so it coats your esophagus.
- Stomach acid medicine helps keep heartburn symptoms under control.
- Dilatation is a procedure used when the esophagus narrows from swelling. An endoscope is placed into your mouth and down your throat. Tools on the endoscope press against the tissues to widen your esophagus. Dilatation can improve your symptoms but will not stop allergic esophagitis from happening.
Burning Throat: 7 Causes And How To Treat Them
A burning throat is a common symptom of infections and other underlying medical conditions. It can occur on its own or alongside other symptoms.
In many cases, a person can treat a burning throat at home. Getting lots of rest and drinking plenty of fluids are key for recovery.
In this article, find out about the possible causes of a burning throat and learn when to seek treatment. We also describe how to soothe the symptom with some simple home remedies.
Also Check: Can Allergy Shots Make You Sick
What’s 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.
How To Protect Your Lungs
Check the air quality and pollen forecasts before you venture outside
Do any yard work early in the morning when pollen counts are at their lowest
Keep your home clean to avoid indoor allergens
Know your triggers, and avoid them. If you arent sure what your triggers are an appointment with an allergist can help you pinpoint them.
If you struggle with severe allergies, consult with Pulmonary Associates of Richmond. Our team of pulmonary specialists can diagnose seasonal allergies, prescribe medications, and recommend tests to evaluate the health of your lungs, and explain the ways that your allergies impact lungs and overall health. Contact us to schedule your pulmonary appointment today, and let us help you breathe better.
You May Like: Can Allergy Cause Weight Loss
Can An Allergy Cause A Tightness And Burning Sensation In The Throat
Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!
Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!
HealthTap doctors are based in the U.S., board certified, and available by text or video.
When To Call The Doctor
- You also have a fever higher than 101 degrees F without other cold symptoms. This could mean you have strep throat. Itâs a bacterial infection that needs to get treated.
- You also have flu-like symptoms that don’t get better after a few days. This could be infectious mononucleosis or other viral infections.
- Your child or teen has flu-like symptoms. Influenza can also lead to problems if youâre pregnant, extremely obese, or have an ongoing illness such as COPD, asthma, or diabetes. Extreme obesity with a BMI of 40 or greater is a risk factor for flu complications.
- You’ve got any pain or hoarseness that lasts longer than 2 weeks. There’s a chance that this could be a warning sign of throat cancer or oral cancer if you have other risk factors for cancer such as smoking.
- Your sore throat lingers for more than a week and you also have postnasal drip, sneezing, and itchy eyes. You might have allergies.
- Your sore throat comes with drooling, or you have trouble swallowing or breathing. This might mean your epiglottis, the structure that overhangs the opening to your throat, is inflamed. You could also have an abscess in the back of your throat. You need to get treated ASAP for these two rare conditions.
- You have a sore throat and pain that moves to your ear. This may be a sign of an ear infection or a more serious problem.
Show Sources
You May Like: How To Stop Allergy Attack Fast
Cause : Nasal Spray Overuse
Nasal sprays can be a big help when treating your burning nose, but yes, you can have too much of a good thing. Spray overuse, also known as rhinitis medicamentosa or rebound congestion, is pretty common. Dr. Odisho said these kinds of medications should always be used cautiously, and with a health care professionals guidance.
If you have rebound congestion from spray overuse, you should stop using the spray. A doctor may prescribe new medications to treat your symptoms. If its an issue of long-term overuse, full recovery may take a full year.
Viral Or Bacterial Infection
Everyone has had a sore throat at some point in their lives. This painful inflammation of the back part of the throat is usually caused by a virus, though there may be other reasons.
In addition to a burning, itchy, or raw throat, especially when swallowing, someone with a viral infection of the throat may also experience a cough, runny nose, hoarseness, and/or diarrhea .
Antibiotics don’t work against viruses. That means the goal of treatment is to manage the symptoms with rest, over-the-counter pain meds, saltwater gargles, and throat lozenges or sprays while the infection runs its course.
Less commonly, the cause of an infection is bacterial, and this is called strep throat. It requires a trip to your healthcare provider for an antibiotic. If left untreated, it can spread and lead to serious issues like rheumatic fever, scarlet fever, and kidney inflammation.
Other signs and symptoms of strep throat often include:
- Fever
- Swollen and tender lymph nodes in the neck
- White patches on the tonsils
- Body aches
Also Check: How Old To Buy Allergy Medicine
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.
What Causes Dryness In The Throat
A dry throat is caused by a rough, itchy feeling in the throat. Environmental factors, dehydration, allergies, and mild respiratory infections are all causes of a dry throat. Sometimes it can be the result of an allergic reaction to a medication. Dry throat symptoms can vary from person to person. Some people have no symptoms at all, while others may have mild symptoms such as a runny nose or a sore throat that lasts for a few days.
Also Check: Can Allergies Cause Asthma Attacks
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.
