Allergy Sore Throat Treatment
So, you have a sore throat, cough, runny nose and congestion. Have you caught a common cold or do you have allergy symptoms? Sometimes, it is even difficult for doctors to distinguish between the two, because their symptoms can be so similar. If you have persistent throat discomfort accompanied by other allergy symptoms, consider that you may have a sore throat due to allergies.
Can Allergies Cause A Cough Symptoms Between Covid
Have you ever thought about sneezing COVID-19 or any other serious health problem while struggling with an itchy/sore throat or runny nose? Well, it could be any ordinary seasonal allergy, flu, or even COVID-19. However there is no need to put your mind in excessive worries because allergies are more likely to be blamed for coughing, runny nose, and itchy throat.
Its very important to understand and differentiate between the signs and symptoms of COVID 19 sneezing and allergies. Remember, the symptoms of allergy are very easy to diagnose as compared to COVID 19 which requires PCR testing for diagnosis. Before we move forward, lets discuss some basic information about cough to understand the relation between cough and allergy.
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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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Are There Conventional Medicines To Help Me
As seasonal allergies is the cause of your cough, a doctor or pharmacist is likely to recommend anti-histamines to lessen your bodys reaction to pollen. This in turn may help to ease your cough. However, the body can develop immunity to such medicines, and thus they should only be used on a short-term basis.
There are various types of cough medicines and syrups available, some of which act as suppressants, and others which act as expectorants to release fluid from the lungs. Your pharmacist will be able to advise a cough remedy suitable for your condition.
Will Wearing A Mask Reduce The Spread Of Allergies As Well As Covid
In addition to reducing the transmission of respiratory droplets from individuals who may have COVID-19, wearing a mask may also help filter out some larger pollens, especially if your mask includes a small filter and you wear your mask outdoors, notes Dr. Barnes. Unfortunately, smaller pollens will still likely make their way in, even with a mask on, and will not eliminate the need to use allergy medications.
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How To Prevent A Cough From Allergies With These Precautions
- Avoid getting close to sick people
- Get rid of or stay away from irritants such as scented sprays and perfumes
- Drinking plenty of water and natural juices will help you to get rid of persistent cough allergies
- Always blow your nose than a sniffle. It will help you to get rid of stuffy nose dry cough allergies
Some Throat Clearing From Mucus Is Normal
Skin is the lining covering the outside of the body, and the lining on the inside of us is made up of mucous membranes. It may come as no great surprise, but the mucous membranes manufacture and secrete mucus. The lining of the nose, sinuses, throat, actually the entire respiratory tract, is lined by mucous membranes and under normal circumstances the nose and throat make about a quart of mucus a day. This normal mucus is not too thick or not too thin, and it is usually swallowed unnoticed.
The respiratory systems mucus has many functions, but its two most important are its lubrication and barrier functions. Inhaled viruses, bacteria, and particulate matter are trapped on and in this sticky layer, which prevents such foreign material from being absorbed or attacking us all the time. When the mucus membranes are irritated or inflamed, they produce more/ excess mucus. Many things can cause this, including allergy, acid reflux and inhaled irritants. And when theres too much mucus, it causes throat clearing.
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No : Consider Allergies
If the cough is persistent and does not go away after two weeks, its time to start thinking about other factors, which could include allergies, especially if symptoms include not only post-nasal drip, but itchy eyes, ears and throat.
At this point, we might try an antihistamine to see if it would dry up some secretions, Dr. Cameron says. Claritin and Zyrtec are dosed down for children as young as 6 months, but I dont like to give either to really young kids unless I am treating an allergic reaction. Or if its older kids, I want to know that I am treating allergic rhinitis, which can be seasonal allergies or environmental allergens.
A cough caused by allergies may be seasonal and usually there is no fever or body aches and its not contagious. And, it may only occur around the allergic trigger, like cats or tree pollen, says Jason Catanzaro, MD, a pediatric allergist and immunologist. But, very young children are less likely to have outdoor allergiesthey havent been around long enough to be exposed to pollens from grasses, trees and weeds, he explains.
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Questions To Ask Your Doctor
- Could anything else, such as a cold or the flu, be causing my symptoms?
- How do I figure out what Im allergic to?
- Is my allergy seasonal?
- I am allergic to _____. Am I at risk for any other allergies?
- What changes can I make at home to relieve my symptoms?
- Will any over-the counter medicines relieve my symptoms?
- What should I do if my symptoms get worse or dont respond to the treatment youve prescribed?
- Do I need to see an allergy specialist ?
What Are The Symptoms Of Coronavirus
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , COVID-19 symptoms include shortness of breath, cough, and a fever. You just dont get fevers from allergies like you do with the flu, COVID-19, or the common cold, Kobernick says.
It is also rare to have a stuffy or runny nose with COVID-19. The disease causes symptoms like body aches and tiredness that arent associated with environmental or perennial allergies.
Unlike allergies, a viral infection occurs as a cascade of events, mediated by chemical messengers as a result of being infected. The cause is different, says Kobernick, but the end result can look very similar.
Allergies are generally prolonged, whereas COVID-19 symptoms are contracted and progress more seriously over a shorter period of time.
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Does Chronic Cough Mean I Have Asthma
Although having a chronic cough can be an indication of asthma, it doesnt mean you have asthma .
Ive worked with my allergist for years and Ive never had asthma, however, I did have a chronic cough.
Asthma is the result of an inflamed airway and overproduction of mucus that makes it difficult for air to pass from your mouth to your lungs. An asthma attack will occur when there is significant swelling and mucous and breathing will be laborious a feeling of suffocation.
If you have asthma then you may experience a chronic cough and you need to be careful it doesnt turn into an asthma attack . However, you may be experiencing a chronic cough for other reasons like post nasal drip which have more to do with your sinuses.
When Should I Seek Treatment For My Toddler
If you suspect your toddler has a cold, the vast majority of the time you can manage the symptoms at home while your childs cold resolves. Make an appointment to see our team at Valencia Pediatrics if your young childs condition doesnt improve after a couple of weeks or if your toddler develops a high fever.
If you think your toddler might have allergies, its important to make an appointment with Dr. Valencia. Allergy treatment from a pediatrician will allow your child to manage potentially life-disrupting and life-threatening symptoms.
At your appointment, Dr. Valencia performs allergy testing to determine what materials are causing your childs allergies if you arent certain. Then, Dr. Valencia develops a personalized plan to manage your toddlers allergies.
Dr. Valencia, with Micaela Marin-Tucker, PA-C and Megan Reynolds, C-PNP, offers specialized allergy treatment along with general pediatric care to children and adolescents. our office today to schedule allergy testing and management for your child.
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Understanding The Differences Between Allergies And Covid
If your child has a cough, a sore throat, and a runny nose, you probably wonder: Is it allergies or could it be COVID-19?
Allergy season has kicked off earlier this year than usual. This means that all of the time families are spending outdoors while social distancing could be leading to symptoms that look similar to COVID-19, the coronavirus that is making so many people sick in the area. But in many cases, these symptoms are actually triggered by a reaction to pollen or grass.
Dr. Subhadra Siegel the director of the Allergy and Immunology Program at Boston Children’s Health Physicians, says its important for parents to know how to tell the difference between allergies and illnesses, such as the flu and COVID-19, so they can respond appropriately.
What Do Different Phlegm Colours Mean
Although research does suggest that the colour of phlegm is not a good indicator of significant infection in people with acute coughs who are feeling well, coughing up coloured phlegm might suggest a bacterial infection and may warrant advice from a health professional. Many people believe that having green or yellow mucus running from the nose means an infection is present whereas it is often a sign of simple dehydration or a harmless viral infection. We look at what the various colours of phlegm might mean:
Clear phlegm
This is the most common colour of phlegm and is usually triggered by an irritant, an allergy or a simple viral infection. Typical causes include allergic rhinitis and upper airway viral infections such as a or viral bronchitis and clear phlegm is generally not as thick or sticky as other types of phlegm.
Green or yellow phlegm
Green or yellow mucus can be a sign that the body is fighting off an infection, with the colour arising from white blood cells in the body. The longer and more severe any infection is, the greater the chance of the mucus becoming thicker and more dark green in colour. Common conditions causing this type of phlegm include sinus infections, bronchitis, pneumonia and cystic fibrosis.
Brown phlegm
Black phlegm
Red or pink phlegm
Red or pink coloured mucus is usually linked to blood, and should always be medically assessed. Causes include , TB, heart failure, blood clots in the lungs and lung cancer.
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a progressive inflammation of the lungs that makes breathing difficult. It is caused by long-term exposure to irritating gases and/or dust particles, most often cigarette smoke.
Symptoms may take years to develop. They include a chronic cough with mucus , wheezing, chest tightness, fatigue, constant colds, swollen ankles, and cyanosis Depression is often a factor due to reduced quality of life.
Treatment is important because there is a greater risk of heart disease and lung cancer in COPD patients. Though the condition cannot be cured, it can be managed to reduce risks and allow good quality of life.
COPD is commonly misdiagnosed and so careful testing is done. Diagnosis is made through patient history physical examination lung function tests blood tests and chest x-ray or CT scan.
Treatment involves quitting smoking and avoiding exposure to other lung irritants use of inhalers to ease symptoms steroids lung therapies and getting influenza and pneumonia vaccines as recommended.
Rarity: Common
Top Symptoms: fatigue, cough and dyspnea related to smoking, cough, shortness of breath, trouble sleeping
Symptoms that always occur with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease : cough and dyspnea related to smoking
Symptoms that never occur with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease : rectal bleeding
Urgency: Primary care doctor
Can Allergies Cause A Cough
Yes, and you can blame it on your immune system. When your body mistakes a substance like pollen or mold as a harmful invader, it sets off an intense response to try and flush it out, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology . During this process, your cells release histamine and other chemicals, which triggers an allergic reaction. Cue the cold-like symptoms, including a sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and coughing.
Allergy coughs are typically caused by swelling or irritation of the airways, the AAAI says. And, if you develop post-nasal dripwhen the mucus hanging out in your sinuses trickles down the back of your throatthat can also cause a cough, Dr. Bassett says.
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What Causes Allergic Rhinitis
You have an allergy when your body overreacts to things that dont cause problems for most people. These things are called allergens. If you have allergies, your body releases chemicals when you are exposed to an allergen. One such chemical is called histamine. Histamine is your bodys defense against the allergen. The release of histamine causes your symptoms.
Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen. Pollen comes from flowering trees, grass, and weeds. If you are allergic to pollen, you will notice your symptoms are worse on hot, dry days when wind carries the pollen. On rainy days, pollen often is washed to the ground, which means you are less likely to breathe it.
- Allergies that occur in the spring are often due to tree pollen.
- Allergies that occur in the summer are often due to grass and weed pollen.
- Allergies that occur in the fall are often due to ragweed.
Allergens that can cause perennial allergic rhinitis include:
How To Avoid Contact With Allergens
When you know the allergen thats causing your cough, the best thing you can do is avoid it. However, this can be incredibly difficult so here are a few ideas to help you out.
Animal dander if you have pets, avoid this allergen by having pet-free zones within your home. As you spend a lot of time in your bedroom this is a good place to start.
Dust mites these little allergens hide in bed sheets and carpets so to help keep them at bay, make sure you wash these things twice a week. You could also use allergy-proof bedding to lessen your contact with them.
Mould spores to prevent the growth of mould make sure you use extractor fans when cooking and washing.
Pollen use pollen counts to gain some control over you allergic rhinitis symptoms. When counts are high, stay indoors and when levels are low, its safe to go outside!
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When To Contact Your Health Care Provider
If youve tried all of the above and your cough continues, its a good idea to make an appointment with your health care provider to rule out a more serious condition. Talk to your health care provider if you have any of the followingsymptoms along with your cough:
- Fever higher than 101°F or 38°C
- Chills
- Yellow or green phlegm that has a foul odor
- Dehydration
Sniffle Detective: 5 Ways To Tell Colds From Allergies
Seasonal allergies and colds share some common symptoms, so it may be hard to tell the two apart.
Both conditions typically involve sneezing, a runny nose and congestion. There are some differences, though. Additionally, colds usually include coughing and a sore throat, but these symptoms can also occur in people with hay fever who have post-nasal drip. Itchy eyes are common for seasonal allergies, but rare for colds.
Colds and seasonal allergies seem very similar in many ways, said Dr. Rima Rachid, director of allergen immunotherapy at Boston Childrens Hospital. Its the duration and chronicity of symptoms that might help tell the difference, she explained.
Its not unusual for parents and even doctors to confuse cold and seasonal allergy symptoms, Rachid told Live Science.
Young children frequently get colds, and their parents may not always think of seasonal allergies as the reason for kids constantly drippy noses. Seasonal allergies may first show up in a child at around ages 4 to 6, but they can also begin at any age after that, Rachid said.
And genetics play a role: People with one parent who has any type of allergy have a 1 in 3 chance of developing an allergy, Rachid said. When both parents have allergies, their children have a 7 in 10 chance of developing allergies, too.
Here are five signs to look for to determine whether symptoms are due to seasonal allergies or a cold.
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