Sunday, March 24, 2024
HomeCauseDo Allergies Cause Mucus Cough

Do Allergies Cause Mucus Cough

What Can You Do To Relieve Your Condition

Why Do We Cough?

Home Remedies

Coughing up green phlegm is not always a cause for concern. If your condition is not very serious, you can adapt the following natural methods to make yourself feel better while your body is healing.

  • Use Neti Pot: A neti pot is the instrument that looks like a small teapot and can help flush out the excess mucus and irritants in your sinus passage. You can add saline solution to the pot and pour it into one nostril, thereby letting it drain out of the other nostril. Repeat the process with the other nostril. The neti pot will moisturize your nasal passage as well.
  • Apply Warm Compress: Take a small towel and wet it with warm water. Place the towel on the face for one minute. Cover your eyes, nose, and the under-eye region in particular. Continue this process until the pain and phlegm settle down.
  • Humidify: You can also try to humidify your living space, in order to introduce more moisture into the air you breathe. This will prevent the mucus from getting clogged up and creating infections. Steam is another option for opening up any clogged airways.
  • Try Herbal Remedies: You can drink herbal teas or take herbal supplements to relieve your symptoms. Ginger which can fight infections in respiratory system, and turmeric which can kill bacteria, can be used to reduce phlegm and ease your discomfort.

Medicinal Treatment

There are many different kinds of medicines that can be used to alleviate the respiratory symptoms such as coughing up green phlegm.

Is Excess Phlegm A Sign Of A Serious Condition

If the amount of mucus your body makes is uncomfortable, you might worry its a sign of a more serious problem.

According to Dr. Bryson, mucus isnt typically a symptom to worry about if its your only symptom.

Worrisome signs are mucus accompanied by fevers, chills and night sweats, especially if you also experience weight loss, nasal obstruction or intermittent nose bleeds for more than two weeks, he says.

What Causes Postnasal Drip

You can get postnasal drip for many different reasons. One of the most frequent causes of postnasal drip is allergies, which is often called allergic postnasal drip.

Another cause is a deviated septum. If you have a deviated septum, it means the wall of cartilage between your nostrils is crooked. The misplaced structure of your nose makes one of your nasal passages smaller than the other. This can prevent mucus from draining properly and can lead to postnasal drip. Other postnasal drip causes may include:

Also Check: Can A Toddler Develop A Sudden Food Allergy

What Are Mucus And Phlegm

Mucus has an important role in your body. Its made by cells in your mouth, throat, nose and sinuses. Its slippery consistency helps protect and moisturize, and traps potential irritants.

Phlegm is made of mucus membranes, but its produced and used by your respiratory system to combat inflammation.

What To Do About Mucus

Asthma is a serious condition that can be dangerous when a person was ...

There are a number of steps you can take to clear mucus, including the following:

  • Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids especially water. If you become dehydrated, your mucus can get thicker, which, in turn, may make your cough worse.
  • Rest and conserve your energy for fighting off the infection that could be the trigger for your mucus production.
  • Consider over-the-counter medications. Examples include:
  • expectorants such as guaifenesin
  • pseudoephedrine
  • antitussives such as dextromethorphan .

Consult with your doctor especially if your symptoms become worse or dont go away after 9 days.

Try an over-the-counter medication to relieve your symptoms.

Don’t Miss: How To Avoid Allergies In Spring

When Mucus In Throat Can Become A Serious Issue

The color of your mucus in throat is a strong indicator of how severe the health problem is. Generally, thin and clear is the safest, and other colors could indicate a particular infection. Here are some guidelines to know when mucus in throat is a serious issue.

Thin and clear: Sign of cold or allergies, it could also be a sign of medication side effect or a reaction to certain food.

Thick and colored: If mucus is very thick, it could be a sign of dryness, which can be caused by heating systems. If mucus appears green, yellow, or brownish, it could indicate a bacterial infection.

Rattling sound in chest: If mucus is dripping down to your chest, it may be difficult to swallow and may cause a rattling sound, which may be pointing to pneumonia.

Burning sensation: If mucus is burning, it could be a result of a heartburn or GERD. Paying attention to your mucus can help offer insights into your overall health and give you indications on how to treat the mucus.

How To Tell If The Cough Is Due To Cold Or Allergies

Do allergies make you cough? Or is it just the common cold? There are several ways to tell. A cold typically lasts for a few days or even a few weeks and then it’s over an allergy will last all season, or for as long as you are in contact with the allergens. Colds typically happen during the winter, while allergies tend to happen anytime. Colds also take some time to get worse, while allergies get bad almost immediately.

Colds and allergies often come along with other distinct symptoms as well. For instance, a cold will often be accompanied by a sore throat or runny nose, and sometimes you will also experience aches and fatigue. With allergies, you often have a stuffy nose and itchy, watery eyes. You might also have a sore throat, but will never have aches or a fever with an allergy which usually come along with a cold.

Read Also: What To Do For Severe Eye Allergies

Socan Allergies Cause Coughing Give It To Me Straight

In short, yes. Usually, allergies create dry coughs . If that’s the case, youll likely have other symptoms . Headaches and wheezing often come with allergies, too, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.

Timing’s also a factor. If you’re allergic to pollen , for example, youll likely notice symptoms almost immediately, or within an hour of being exposed. And those symptoms could last for hours after you’ve been exposedeven after the allergen isn’t nearby anymore.

Coughs related to allergies are also dependent on patterns, so doctors always try to look at the big picture. Say you get a cough every single March. That could be a sign you’re actually suffering from allergies, instead of the common cold. “You need to look at everything that’s going on,” says Paul Bryson, MD, an otolaryngologist at the Cleveland Clinic.

Your best defense for a cough from allergies? Antihistamines like Allegra, Claritin, and Zyrtec, which are all available over-the-counter. Other options include steroid nasal sprays and immunotherapy shots, which can work to regulate your body’s response to allergens, instead of just relieving the symptoms.

How Can You Tell That You Have An Allergy Cough

Causes of Constant Phlegmy Throat or Throat Mucus

In order to tell whether you have an allergy cough, its important to check what type is it. Allergies trigger a dry or wet cough even though after nasal dripping, theres usually a dry cough. There is also a third kind of cough which is the chronic cough that lasts at least 3 weeks. This is a major sign of an allergy. A cold cough never lasts more than 14 days so if your coughing exceeds this number, you definitely have an allergy cough. Another thing that sets it apart from a cold is the fever. If you have no fever then you definitely have been exposed to an allergen thats caused this coughing symptom.

If youre still confused about it then you should ask yourself questions like when did you start coughing? Do you feel any fever or aches in your body? How long have you been coughing? All of these will bring everything into perspective for you.

Recommended Reading: How To Help A Child With Seasonal Allergies Naturally

Is It Allergies Or Covid 4 Ways To Tell

And with COVID still spreading in our communities, it can be difficult to tell the difference between typical allergy symptoms and something more serious.

But there’s no reason to panic, said Dr. Puja Rajani. As an allergistat, Rajani explained a few key differences.

If you have a known history of allergies, consider this: If you do not have a fever, try a stepwise approach with using your usual treatments, such as long-acting antihistamines or nasal sprays, Rajani said.

Foods That Relieve Or Cause Throat Mucus

Nutrition can play a role in throat mucus, too. Some foods can actually contribute to throat mucus and other foods can help relieve it. Although every person is different and may have their own unique triggers, here are some of the common foods to avoid with mucus in the throat, and foods to enjoy as they can help reduce mucus.

Foods that cause excessive mucus production:

  • Dairy products like milk, ice cream, yogurt, and cheese
  • High-fat red meat and processed meat
  • Gluten products especially in people with a gluten allergy
  • Alcohol
  • Caffeine particularly the variety found in soda
  • Fruits and vegetables, like bananas, cabbage, and potatoes

Foods that relieve mucus:

  • Fruits and vegetables like garlic, celery, onions, parsley, winter squash, berries, oranges, greens, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and peppers
  • Chicken soup

Related: White mucus causes, treatment, and home remedies

Recommended Reading: When Is Allergy Season Over In Nyc

How To Get Rid Of Excess Mucus And Phlegm

If you have chronic problems with mucus and phlegm, try the following. These remedies also help if your problem with mucus and phlegm progresses to a post-nasal drip.

Hydrate more

Drink more water. Also, consider your medications or any dehydrating beverages you regularly drink like coffee, alcohol and some teas.

A good rule of thumb is to drink enough water to make your urine pale, Dr. Bryson advises.

Use a humidifier

This can help your body moisturize your throat and nasal passages and may help you reduce mucus and phlegm production.

Opt for a cool-mist humidifier and make sure you clean it regularly per its directions.

Check filters on heating and cooling systems

Make sure the filters are clean and functioning well to keep dust and other potential irritants out of the air.

Use a nasal saline spray

This helps rinse and hydrate tissues in your nose and sinuses. Use a sterile spray that has sodium chloride.

Gargle with salt water

Using salt water can ease your irritated throat by clearing away mucus.

Use eucalyptus

Whether its a eucalyptus balm or essential oil in a diffuser, the scent of eucalyptus can help loosen mucus in your chest.

Use over-the-counter medication

If youre concerned about allergies, remember that the testing is easy and straightforward, says Dr. Bryson. You can also try over-the-counter allergy medications, which may solve your issue.

How Can Allergy Symptoms Be Treated By A Doctor

Does Covid Cause Thick Yellow Mucus

Allergists, like Dr. Kevin Farnam, MD, are medical doctors who specialize in the treatment of allergies and asthma. These specially trained clinicians can treat your stubborn allergy symptoms by first, diagnosing, and then prescribing medications that can help.

Many mild allergy cases can be treated without seeing a doctor. When allergies interfere with your day-to-day activities, you can take back control of your life by seeing an allergist.

An allergist can treat all kinds of allergy problems including:

  • Allergic rhinitis or hay fever is a reaction that occurs primarily from environmental allergens
  • Anaphylaxis is rare and a potentially fatal allergic reaction caused by triggers such as food, a medication, or an insect sting
  • Asthma is an allergy symptom that causes muscle spasms in a persons breathing airway that blocks air to the lungs
  • Atopic or contact dermatitis are allergies that cause hives or dermatitis on the skin

Visiting an allergist could include:

  • A complete history and physical exam
  • Allergy testing to see what is causing your symptoms
  • Education to help prevent allergies by avoiding them
  • Medication to treat symptoms
  • Allergy shots to alleviate symptoms

You should see an allergist if your allergies are causing chronic sinus infections, difficulty breathing, or the discomfort of sneezing, wheezing, or other symptoms that disrupt your life.

Recommended Reading: Will Children’s Allergy Medicine Work On Adults

When To Contact A Doctor

Anyone with a persistent cough should contact a doctor for a diagnosis. In many cases, the cause will not be serious, though it might still require treatment.

If a person has a cough that produces blood, it is even more urgent that they contact a doctor, as the underlying cause could be serious.

The treatment for coughing up phlegm depends on its cause.

How Can I Reduce My Dogs Mucus

What You Can Do in the Meantime Keep the living area clean and free of dust particles and foreign matter that can be inhaled. The use of a humidifier, a vaporizer, or the steam from a hot shower may help your dog breathe more easily. Gently wipe nasal discharge from your dogs nostrils with a soft damp towel.

Also Check: Can You Get Immune To Allergy Medicine

Dust Mite Allergy Often Strikes In Bed

Allergy immunotherapy means either regular injections at the doctor’s office or taking tablets under your tongue first at the doctor’s office and then at home. Treatment takes three to five years. Youll need to complete the full course even if your allergy cough disappears sooner. Your healthcare provider can tell you if it might be right for you.

Mucus In Throat Every Morning

How To Get Rid Of Phlegm and Mucus

If you wake up each day with mucus in throat, which you feel needs to be expelled, there are a few different reasons for that. For starters, mucus in throat in the morning could be a result of an infection or allergy, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or it could be a sign of congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure, in particular, can cause daily mucus in throat each morning, because the heart has a difficult time moving high amounts of blood through the body, causing fluid buildup. This fluid accumulates in the lungs, especially when a person is laying flat throughout the night. The result is a wet cough in the morning or throughout the night.

Don’t Miss: Does Allergies Cause Asthma Symptoms

Dust Allergies And Coughing

Now that weve established why do we actually cough, its easier to judge whether we can cough during allergies or not. Its pretty easy to understand that if our body is constantly coughing then theres definitely something wrong with our throat or lungs. Its the first red sign. However, if we talk about allergies then yes allergies can cause coughing. Our immune system is basically using coughing as a defensive action against anything that might have wandered into our bodies. People who have dust allergies are usually the ones who start coughing when they get an allergic attack. Meaning if your body inhales pollen or dust particles, it would rebel against it by coughing it all out.

While all of this is happening your body will release chemicals like histamine that would produce cold-like symptoms such as a stuffed or runny nose, sore throat, etc.

Just Curious: Why Do We Cough Anyway

“The purpose of a cough is to help us,” says Monica Lee, MD, an otolaryngologist at Massachusetts Eye and Ear. Its your bodys way of trying to expel something it perceives as a threat in the airway, she says.

Those perceived threats can be a bunch of different things: a piece of food stuck in your throat, pollen, air pollution, or swelling or drainage from extra mucus in your throat. All those things irritate the sensory fibers in your airway, which then stimulate a cough.

As for what exactly happens in your body during a cough? It’s kind of complex, says Dr. Lee. Basically, your vocal chords close briefly to generate pressure in the lungs. Once enough pressure is built up, your vocal chords open back up, and air flows quickly through your voice box, which generates that coughing sound. Kinda cool, huh?

Read Also: What To Eat With Multiple Food Allergies

How Do I Know My Cough Is From A Cold

You know how allergy coughs are typically on the drier side? Coughs from colds tend to be on the wetter side .

Coughs that come along with a cold usually come along with stuffiness, along with postnasal drip , which can cause a sore throat or chest discomfort. A low-grade fever may also signal a cold instead of allergies.

Colds aren’t as immediate as allergies. Instead, they tend to develop over the course of a few days, says Dr. Bryson.

You can try a few different things to help relieve a cough. Decongestants can work for, well, congestion. And ingredients like dextromethorphan can can help ease the coughing itself. Just make sure you take any products as-directed.

It should be said, however, that a dry cough isn’t always allergies, just like a wet cough isn’t always a cold. Allergies can plague your nose, for example, causing post-nasal drip , while mild colds might not leave you stuffed up enough to produce any phlegm.

How To Treat An Allergy Cough

Pin on Cough

Oral antihistamines are the first-line treatment for allergy symptoms, blocking the underlying mechanisms that can lead to an allergy cough.

Second-generation antihistamines are the preferred option because they are less likely to cause drowsiness. With that said, first-generation antihistamines like Benadryl may be a good option before bedtime if allergy symptoms are interfering with sleep.

To treat the cough itself, you can consider the following options:

  • Take an over-the-counter expectorant like Mucinex to loosen phlegm.
  • Use an over-the-counter decongestant Sudafed to open nasal passages.
  • Use a nasal steroid spray like Nasacort to relieve inflammation and ease breathing,
  • Suck on a cough lozenge, especially ones containing eucalyptus.
  • Use a saline nasal spray or irrigation, like a neti pot, to clear nasal passages.
  • Use a humidifier or vaporizer to help moisturize the air.
  • Inhale steam either with a commercial inhaler or a heated pot of water to loosen mucus and ease throat irritation.

Read Also: What Allergies Are In Season Now In Massachusetts

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular