Monday, March 25, 2024
HomeMust ReadCan Your Throat Get Sore From Allergies

Can Your Throat Get Sore From Allergies

S For Managing Your Sore Throat

Can Allergies Cause an Itchy Throat?

The first step in managing your allergy-induced sore throats is visiting a professional. From there, we can determine the root cause of your allergy, and help you create a personalized plan for removing the trigger from your life and/or ways to manage your allergies when removing the trigger isnt a realistic solution.

Is Black Coffee Good For Sore Throat

Enjoy the naturally sweet aroma of black coffee to soothe a sore throat without adding any sugar or cream but note that although its warm and comforting, its high acidity can cause problems for those with gastrointestinal issues. To keep irritation at bay, consider avoiding this beverage if you suffer from such discomfort.

Is Iced Coffee Good For Sore Throat

Everyones body is unique and reacts differently to cold drinks, especially when it comes to soothing a sore throat. Whether iced coffee or cranberry juice seems like an appealing option, be sure to consider how their composition could potentially make the situation worse due to low temperatures and added sugar for beverages such as coffee.

While juices can have a refreshing taste that may aid in providing relief from pain, they contain acidic contents which should be taken into account before consumption if youre suffering from any type of throat related discomfort.

Read Also: How To Test For Hidden Food Allergies

What Are The Causes Of A Sore Throat

The most common causes of a sore throat are viral infections, but may also include bacterial infections. This includes illnesses that may affect other parts of the body as well as the throat.

However, this doesnt always mean that a sore throat means youre sickeven if you arent feeling well due to your throat discomfort. Other environmental factors or injuries can also cause a sore throat to develop, including:

  • Strained throat muscles injured from excessive yelling, singing, or even talking
  • Air pollution, including smog, smoke, inhaling cigarettes, and other tobacco products.

When dealing with a sore throat, its important to treat symptomatically as well as the root cause. Its also important to consider that multiple factors may be involved in causing or exacerbating your sore throat. While illness may be a primary factor, for example, the dry air from a winter cold spell could be causing additional irritation to worsen your discomfort.

How To Tell If Its An Infection Or Allergies

Allergies And Sore Throat

There are a few ways to distinguish between seasonal allergy reactions and an infection.

In some cases, seasonal allergies may lead to a sinus infection or allergic rhinitis, which has symptoms similar to the common cold.

Some differences between seasonal allergies and an infection include:

  • Infection: If your symptoms include a fever, it is an infection. Seasonal allergies never cause fevers, though they may increase the chance of developing a sinus infection.

If your symptoms are confusing, and you cant tell if its allergies or a sinus infection, the flu, a cold, or COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider.

They can run basic tests to rule out influenza, COVID-19, and other types of bacterial infections.

You May Like: What Is Grass Mix Allergy

Allergies Rarely Cause Sore Throats Or Body Aches

The only ache you may feel with allergies is a headache from all that congestion. Allergies can cause a sore throat if theres enough irritation from post-nasal drip and coughing, 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 .

How Can You Treat A Sore Throat Caused By Allergies

Allergy medications are usually the best place to start if pollen or other irritants are causing your sore, scratchy throat. Antihistamines, including Claritin, Zyrtec, or Benadryl, can help tame inflammation and ease your symptoms overall, Dr. Mehdizadeh explains. Nasal sprays and nasal glucocorticoids are ideal for easing post-nasal drip, too.

Natural remedies could also make a difference, the experts say. Gargling with warm salt water can help get rid of irritating mucus, and drinking plenty of water or inhaling steam may soothe scratchiness.

Of course, prevention might be the most effective tactic of all. Minimizing your exposure to allergenssay, by keeping your windows closed and showering as soon as you come inside after being outdoorscan keep your symptoms from flaring up and help stop that sore throat before it starts.

Also Check: Are Sinus Infections From Allergies Contagious

Causes And Risk Factors Of Sore Throat

Pharyngitis is caused by swelling in the pharynx, the anatomical structure that is between the tonsils and the larynx.

The illness usually spreads between people by breathing in air that contains these organisms or by touching a surface with germs on it.

  • Attending day care
  • Weakened immunity due to conditions such as HIV or diabetes, or treatment with chemotherapy drugs or chronic steroids, which can lower resistance to infections

How Long Does A Sore Throat Last From Allergies

Sore Throat | How To Get Rid Of A Sore Throat (2019)

As long as your allergy symptoms persist, you will likely experience these symptoms. If you know your sore throat is caused by allergies, an allergy calendar is helpful to see which allergy season is affecting you. However, there are many ways to manage and treat allergy symptoms, many of which will reduce or eliminate your sore throat, too.

You May Like: How To Stop A Sore Throat From Allergies

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.

Recommended Reading: Runny Nose One Side Only

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.

You May Like: Can Nut Allergies Be Cured

When To Seek Medical Attention

Postnasal drip and sore throat are among the most annoying and uncomfortable allergy symptoms, but they arent usually dangerous to your health. However, there are times when you may need to see your healthcare provider. Call your doctor if you have:

  • Severe or worsening throat pain
  • Sore throat with other symptoms, such as fever or bloody mucus
  • Trouble breathing or swallowing
  • Enlarged lymph nodes in your throat/neck

At Healthcare Associates of Texas, we have a team of dedicated, caring healthcare providers that offer specialized allergy services from screening for allergies to effective treatments for mild to severe allergic reactions. Our team will provide a personalized plan designed for you to screen for and treat your allergies to help you feel your best.

Sore Throat From Allergies: Symptoms And Remedies

The 25+ best Sore throat pictures ideas on Pinterest

Among the allergy symptoms that can affect day-to-day life, getting a sore throat from allergies can be especially irritating. Together with a runny nose and itchy eyes, a sore throat can cause discomfort and disruption to your routine.

Allergy symptoms of a sore throat can include a dry, scratchy feeling in your throat. It could be caused by different kinds of allergies, whether seasonal or something in your home that is affecting you.

There are various steps you can take to help manage or even reduce the symptoms.

Find out more about potential sore throat allergy remedies with our helpful guide.

Read Also: What To Do To Get Rid Of Allergies

How Do I Know If It’s Allergies

Let’s be honest â your irritated throat could mean a lot of things.

It could be anything from a run-of-the-mill cold, to strep throat, or acid reflux. Or it could be caused by something more mundane like being somewhere particularly dry or talking more than usual. It could even be indicative of COVID-19.

It’s also unlikely that a sore throat would be your only allergy symptom. You might experience:

But, again, these could double for something like a cold as well. To top it all off, not everyone with allergies gets a sore throat.

So, having a sore throat doesn’t necessarily mean you have allergies. But it could.

While it’s not a good idea to self-diagnose on the internet , a sore throat from a postnasal drip is likely to feel more raw or scratchy, as opposed to sore. That’s because the drainage of fluids can leave behind an irritated throat.

But postnasal drip isn’t the only way allergies can cause a sore throat. Excessive coughing or breathing through your mouth because you have a stuffy nose can also contribute. Both cases will also leave your throat feeling raw.

However, having a sore throat paired with a fever and body aches means it’s more likely your sore throat is due to a viral infection like the flu or a cold.

Allergies Follow A Pattern And Symptoms Tend To Stick Around Longer

If you have allergies, your symptoms will flare up at certain times throughout the year when the allergens youre sensitive to are present. For example, if you have a tree pollen allergy, your symptoms will first appear in the early spring.

This also means that your symptoms can last for several weeks until that particular allergy season has ended. To put that into perspective, colds usually only last about a week.

Cold viruses are present all year, so you can catch one at any time. However, the winter cold season is when getting sick is more likely.

You May Like: How To Cure Perfume Allergy

When To Call Your Doctor

  • If your sore throat is severe.
  • You have a sore throat isn’t better after 3 days.
  • Youâve had a fever higher than 100.4 F for more than 2 days.
  • You have other medical problems such as asthma, heart disease, HIV, diabetes, or are pregnant. You may be at a higher risk of complications from infections from a sore throat.

Seek emergency medical help if you have a sore throat and have trouble breathing or swallowing.

Show Sources

Jeffrey A. Linder, MD, MPH, associate professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School associate physician, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston.

Steven Y. Park, MD, assistant professor of otorhinolaryngology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York.

Gordon J. Siegel, MD, FACS, assistant clinical professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: âSeasonal Influenza . Cold Versus Flu,â âGet Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work. Sore Throat,â âGet Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work. Common Cold and Runny Nose,â âIs It Strep Throat?â

National Institutes of Health: âNews In Health: Soothing a Sore Throat.â

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: âStrep Throat.â

How Can You Tell A Cold From Allergies

Sore Throat Remedies | How To Get Rid Of A Sore Throat (Medical Tips)

This can be challenging, Dr. Wada says. Still, there are a few signs that you might be dealing with one vs. the other.

Typically, allergies will last longerweeks to monthswhereas colds will last one to two weeks, Dr. Wada says. Colds also tend to have more body symptoms like muscle aches and even a fever, Dr. Parikh says. And, unless you develop an infection related to your allergies, you shouldnt get a fever from allergies.

Don’t Miss: Will Child Outgrow Egg Allergy

Allergies: Sore Throat Surprise

A runny nose can lead to post-nasal drip, when mucus runs down the back of your throat.

If you think allergies are the cause of your sore throat, sneezing, and runny nose, try an over-the-counter allergy medication. If that doesnât bring relief, talk with your doctor about other treatment options.

Allergic Rhinitis And A Sore Throat

When the immune system over-reacts to things like pollen and dust mites it results in allergic rhinitis and various symptoms like congestion and sneezing. However, accompanying these things is often the problem of a sore throat as well.

During a reaction, the mucous membranes that line the inside of the nose produce more mucus in an attempt to wash out and trap allergens. This mucus can then cause a runny nose or it can also drip down the back of the throat in a process called the post-nasal drip. This irritates sensitive tissues at the back of the throat so that they eventually become tender. Also, the feeling of mucus dripping down the back of the throat may stimulate a cough which, if persistent, also contributes to a sore throat.

On top of this, a dry or itchy throat is often associated with allergic rhinitis which causes throat tissues to become inflamed a problem wed then call a sore throat.

Read Also: Cough And Sore Throat Medicine

Don’t Miss: Is Headache A Sign Of Allergies

Symptoms Of Sore Throat

A sore throat can make it painful to swallow. A sore throat can also feel dry and scratchy. Sore throat can be a symptom of strep throat, the common cold, allergies, or other upper respiratory tract illness. Sore throat caused by a virus or the bacteria called group A Streptococcus can have similar symptoms.

Sometimes the following symptoms suggest a virus is causing the illness instead of Strep throat:

Whats The Best Way To Manage A Sore Throat From Allergies

Is This Strep Throat? â Dr. Jill Grimes

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.

Dont Miss: Blowing Nose Blood In Mucus

You May Like: When Do Spring Allergies End

Preventing A Sore Throat From Allergies

Avoiding exposure to allergens is the best way to prevent allergy symptoms, including sore throats. This may also reduce the amount of medication you need.

Ways to avoid allergens that could cause a sore throat include:

  • Staying indoors when the index of the amount of pollen in the air is high
  • Keeping your home’s windows closed
  • Using air purifiers to remove harmful particles from the air
  • Using dehumidifiers to remove moisture from the air and prevent mold and mildew
  • Changing your clothes and showering after being around an allergen
  • Washing bedding at least once a week

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.

Also Check: Can Allergies Cause Your Temperature To Rise

Seasonal Allergies Come With A Runny Nose And Sneezing But Can They Also Cause A Sore Throat Here Experts Discuss The Link Between Postnasal Drip And Throat Irritation

Sore throats can be tricky symptoms in kids. Does the scratchiness mean they have a cold or the flu? What about strep throat or COVID-19? As it turns out, an irritated throat can sometimes be nothing more than allergies. Keep reading to learn why allergies cause a sore throat and how to ease the irritation.

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular