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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No : A Cough Is A Defense Mechanism
A cough is the bodys way of defending itself, Dr. Cameron explains. If you have a runny nose and some congestion, you might get post-nasal drip, which can irritate the bronchioles and cause coughing, she says. Coughing is a way to clear the lungs and expel mucus.
Carl R. Baum, MD, a pediatric emergency physician, agrees. Coughing is good, he says. Parents get freaked out when their kid has a really bad cough, but it’s the bodys normal way of protecting itself. It keeps our lungs clear.
Dr. Cameron reads a book to her patient to put her at ease.
Symptoms Of Hay Fever
Growing seasons cause plants to bloom and molds to multiply, so youll usually experience your symptoms at the same time every year. The timing can help you confirm that your symptoms are due to hay fever and not a viral infection.
Symptoms associated with hay fever include:
Year-round triggers for hay fever include:
- cockroaches
- pet dander, such as from cats, dogs, or birds
- spores from fungi and molds that grow indoors
These allergens set off a chain reaction after they get into your system. A hay fever cough is an aftereffect of postnasal drip.
Postnasal drip occurs when allergens irritate the lining of your nose. This triggers your nasal passages to produce mucus, a sticky substance thats supposed to remove harmful or dirty particles from the air. Mucus associated with allergens tends to be more watery than the mucus your body produces when you arent sick or experiencing allergies. This watery mucus drips out of your nose and down your throat. This tickles the throat and leads to a hay fever cough.
This cough usually comes with a constant tickling feeling in the throat. If youre exposed to your allergen when youre outdoors, your coughing will most likely be more frequent in the daytime.
However, your cough will generally be worse at night. This effect is largely due to gravity. During the day, you stand and sit up more than at night. Mucus cant drain as easily at night when youre lying down.
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Allergies And Chronic Phlegm
Phlegm 6. It’s hard to spell, sounds terrible and feels worse. Physicians and researchers call excess phlegm in the lungs and upper chest “chronic mucus hypersecretion.” A runny nose, sneezing and coughing up phlegm are common symptoms of seasonal allergies such as hay fever.** Chronic phlegm is also associated with asthma and chronic bronchitis and can also be a symptom of occupational allergies, particularly exposure to food additives made from mold.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
No : Not All Colds Are The Same
Coughs usually start with a viral upper-respiratory infection . But sometimes the cold is not as dramatic as people might expect, says Annette Cameron, MD, a pediatrician. You dont necessarily have the full burden of symptoms. There might just be a slight runny nose, congestion, maybe a low-grade fever and then, this cough, she says. The cough tends to linger the longest and can last for up to two weeks. This is when parents come in and ask, Why is my child coughing when there are no other symptoms?
The answer, Dr. Cameron often tells them, is that there are other mild symptoms they arent recognizingor they forgot about them as theyve all gone away, except for the cough.
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Icipants Wanted For Cough Study
People suffering from chronic cough have often heard the words, Theres nothing more we can do. That is because there is currently no FDA-approved treatment for a chronic cough.
To help people struggling to rid their hacking, MU Health Cares Ear, Nose and Throat and Allergy Clinic is recruiting participants who have struggled with chronic cough for at least one year for a chronic cough study.
This study involves the first ever potential FDA approved treatment for chronic cough, and involves a medication that has already passed FDA phase I/II safety and efficacy trials.
Participants must be non-smokers, age 18 or older with a chronic cough for at least one year. To be considered, people will need a work-up for a chronic cough that includes ruling out allergies/post-nasal drip, reflux, asthma and ACE inhibitor use. Participants cant be allergic to sulfa medications . Participants are on treatment for one year, with a two-week no-treatment safety follow-up period.
For more information, call .
If youre dealing with a nagging cough that is lingering for days, weeks or months, youre not alone.
Coughing is one of the most frequent reasons patients see doctors, and it ranks in the top five reasons patients come to see us at the Ear, Nose and Throat and Allergy Clinic, said Christine Franzese, MD, an allergist with University of Missouri Health Care.
Symptoms: What Does An Allergy Cough Feel Like
Allergy-related cough is typically a “dry” cough, meaning you probably won’t cough up any mucus or phlegm. It can become chronic, lasting for several weeks at a time. Coughing can occur with several different conditions and illnesses. You’ll likely see a specialist, such as an allergist, for specific testing to diagnose your allergies.
Although coughing occurs with a variety of medical conditions, allergy cough occurs with other allergy symptoms, including:
- Sneezing
- Fatigue
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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?
Allergies Do Not Cause Fevers
People often wonder if allergies can cause a fever. The answer is no. Allergies cannot cause a fever, though you could have an allergy flare at the same time youre experiencing a fever from another infection.
With a cold, your temperature can run warmer, but typically it will be less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
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How To Relieve Your Allergy Symptoms
If youre convinced your cough is a result of allergies, start by making a few changes to decrease your exposure to potentially irritating substances: Keep your windows closed, shower as soon as you come inside after being outdoors, brush your pets after walks, or invest in an air purifier for your home.
OTC medications are also a great starting point, Dr. Bassett says. Oral antihistamines, like Claritin and Allegra, help block the histamines that set off symptoms in the first place. Nasal steroid sprays, like Flonase, can help clear a stuffy nose if youre dealing with that, too.
But the right treatment depends largely on the cause for a cough, Dr. Bassett says. If you dont see any improvement after taking these steps, reach out to an allergist, who can give you a proper diagnosis, help you identify your triggers, and potentially recommend prescription allergy meds or allergy shots.
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The Asthma Is Usually Linked To Allergic Rhinitis
Environmental allergies can affect your airway in unique ways:
- Allergic rhinitis affects your nose and sinuses, and may cause sneezing, congestion, and an itchy nose and eyes.
- Asthma mainly affects your lungs, and may cause coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath or rapid breathing.
But when you have allergic asthma, youll likely develop both sets of symptoms at once.
In children, the signs can be more subtle, notes Dr. Purcell. Kids may say theyre too tired to play, but parents should check for wheezing or coughing. If the other kids are running around playing, and your child wants to sit on the sidelines, he or she may be having trouble breathing, he says.
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Can Allergies Cause Sore Throat
Sore throat and allergies often go together to compound the misery of people living with allergies. Typically, an environmental allergen causes nasal congestion and sinus drainage down the back of the throat, making it scratchy or painful. This irritation can cause coughing and throat irritation or even trouble speaking.
Some of the most common allergens that cause a sore throat include:
- Cigarette smoke
- Pet dander, particularly dog and cat fur
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
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What Causes A Dry Cough With No Other Symptoms
A nonproductive cough, also known as a dry cough, doesnt produce phlegm or mucus. Many things from allergies to acid reflux can cause a dry cough. In some cases, theres no obvious cause. Regardless of the cause, an ongoing dry cough can seriously impact your day-to-day life, especially if its worse at night.
How To Relieve The Coughs
With knowing the answer to the question, do allergies make you cough, you will naturally come to the next concern, how can you relieve the coughs? Read on to find the most effective option for you.
1. Coughs Caused by Allergies
When you are suffering from intense coughing caused by allergies, there are some treatments that might do very well in relieving the problem. Antihistamines suppress the immune system reaction, while help clear out the sinuses and make it easier to breathe. Saline nasal sprays can help break up congestion and also wash any allergens out of the nasal passages.
Other options include corticosteroids, montelukast to relive asthma symptoms, and allergy shots that can help eventually desensitize you to the allergens. Alternative treatments like taking a hot bath, inhaling steam, or making your own strong nasal solutions can help.
2. Coughs Caused by Cold
When your cough is caused by a cold, effective treatments include gargling with warm salt water, sucking on ice chips, or turning to cough drops to ease the cough. You can also try over the counter medications that are designed to fight bad colds and the symptoms, as well as supportive therapies, such as extra sleep, doses of vitamin C, drinking extra fluids and the like.
3. Coughs Caused by Hay Fever
4. Crossover Treatments
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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.
Sore Throat Or Body Aches
A sore throat or body aches could be an indication its something more serious.
“A quick onset of aches and pains, fatigue, exhaustion or weakness is unlikely with allergies, Rajani said. While allergies can cause fatigue, it is usually very gradual, not hitting you like a ton of bricks as has been described with viral infections.
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Diagnosing A Hay Fever Cough
When you have an infection, the mucus in your body starts to thicken due to the presence of a virus or bacteria. The type of mucus youre producing can help your doctor tell the difference between a hay fever cough and an infection. If you have thin mucus, as opposed to thick mucus that is difficult to cough up, allergies are usually to blame.
Your doctor will likely ask you about your symptoms as well as what makes them worse or better and when you started noticing them.
Schedule A Telehealth Visit
Most BCHP pediatricians are now seeing patients remotely using telehealth visits to assess symptoms. In some cases, your child may need to go get a flu or strep test to rule out these other illnesses. COVID-19 tests are still limited, so your pediatrician will advise you on whether your child needs testing. BCHP physicians can also prescribe allergy medications remotely.
Learn more about our telehealth visits.
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Can You Still Get Help From An Allergist
Although clinics have put numerous protections in place over the past year in order to see patients safely, people with intense seasonal allergies may still feel reluctant to make an in-person visit.
Fortunately, there are options, says Jeffrey Factor, MD, a healthcare provider at Connecticut Asthma and Allergy Center in West Hartford. For example, many people have become comfortable over the past year with comprehensive telemedicine appointments.
Telehealth is now widely available, and were all using it, says Dr. Factor. Of course, its not as good as an in-person visit, but it still allows you to be seen by your healthcare provider, and to get prescriptions when you need them.
If you require allergy shots, an in-person visit may be necessary. Medical practices have figured out how to eliminate crowded waiting areas. For example, Factors office sets appointments far apart so patients dont encounter other patients.
Avoid Exposure To Allergy Triggers
Avoid exposure to substances you know you are allergic to — a strategy known as allergen avoidance. Whether you have a cough related to seasonal allergies or allergic asthma, this is an important part of managing allergy symptoms.
Stay away from cigarette and wood smoke, which irritate the airways and may trigger bouts of coughing. Also avoid exposure to strong, irritating fumes, such as those from cleaning products, fragrances or industrial chemicals.
Avoid being outdoors when pollen and mold counts are high if you have seasonal allergies. Keep allergens out of your home by keeping windows closed. Minimizing your time outdoors when the air quality is poor and during periods of high humidity or very cold weather may also help reduce allergy-related coughing.
Clean your home thoroughly to reduce allergens in the home. Dust and vacuum regularly, and wear a mask when cleaning to prevent breathing in allergens. Using an air purifier with a high-efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filter may also trap allergens and keep the air in your home cleaner.
Tips
If you continue to experience persistent coughing, visit your doctor to determine whether your treatment plan requires revision.
Warnings
If you experience trouble breathing, dizziness, lightheadedness or wheezing, seek immediate medical attention.
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What Can You Do
Drink warm lemon and honey this is a tried and tested cough remedy for good reason as the warm liquid helps to soothe the throat and rid it of irritation.
Help out your immune system the immune system is put under a great deal of strain when its busy fighting off allergens so its a good idea to help it out as best you can. You may want to take some Echinaforce Echinacea Drops for example, which support the immune system.
Stay hydrated water helps to wash out any allergens that are lurking in the throat and which are therefore causing a cough. However, it also stops your throat from getting dry and irritated which would worsen a cough.
About Author: David Pruitt
David Pruitt is a writer for the Marketing & Communications division of OSF HealthCare. He has a bachelors of journalism from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and worked as a reporter before joining OSF HealthCare in 2014. An avid golfer and fisherman, David was born and raised Alton, Illinois, which is where he currently resides with his son, James.
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The Top 8 Symptoms Of Dust Allergies
Do you think that you may be experiencing symptoms of dust allergies?
Or could it be something else?
Unfortunately, some of the signs of a dust allergy, like sneezing, coughing and a runny nose, are similar to sicknesses such as the common cold.
What may seem to be dust allergy symptoms may actually be a cold and vice versus.
But, how do you know for sure?
Dust allergies can range from mild to severe.
In a mild case, you may experience an occasional outbreak of the symptoms below, while in a severe condition you might notice chronic, ongoing problems.
In this article, well share with you eight of the most common signs that are associated with allergies related to dust and dust mites.
Hopefully, this information will clue you in to whats really going on with your health.
Note: If symptoms such as wheezing or nasal congestion are severe, you should call your doctor. If shortness of breath or wheezing quickly gets worse, seek emergency care. The information provided in this article should not substitute for professional care.
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