Allergy Treatment In Metro Atlanta
At the Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia, our highly-qualified medical team provides diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose and throat conditions that may be caused by chronic conditions like asthma or allergies. Speak to one of our Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia board-certified allergy specialists about the possibility of allergy shots to find relief.
Our board-certified doctors understand that these conditions may cause severe discomfort, and offer a no-wait appointment policy that ensures you receive immediate care.
Schedule your same-day appointment with Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia today! Our team of board-certified allergy specialists will discuss your options and recommend an appropriate course of treatment. Contact us at 285-5200 or visit us online to book your appointment.
Start With Some Home Remedies For Cold And Allergy Symptoms
When you start feeling icky, some simple home remedies can provide temporary relief. For starters, try to get more rest. Both allergies and colds can cause tiredness, so listen to your body and take it easy.
Also, take advantage of saltwater to soothe irritated nasal passages and scratchy or sore throats.
For your nose, use a neti pot. A neti pot can be picked up at any local drugstore or online, and typically comes with packets to mix with warm, distilled water to create a saltwater solution to pour through your nasal passages.
For your throat, simply mix a quarter or half teaspoon of table salt into an 8-ounce glass of warm water. Take a sip and gargle for a few seconds like you would with mouthwash. Then spit and repeat until the solution is gone. You can do this a couple times a day.
Two Home Remedies For Sore Throat To Avoid
Dr. Allan warns that not all sore throat remedies are created equal. He recommends you pass on these two:
- Apple cider vinegar
- Essential oils
And avoid things that can irritate your throat, including:
- Acidic foods or spicy foods.
- Lying down immediately after you eat, especially if you have acid reflux.
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Home Remedies That You Can Use For A Sore Throat
Sore throats are just one of many symptoms that can accompany a cold. The good news is there are home remedies that can be used to soothe your throat, get rid of your symptoms, and even help you get on the road to recovery. Some of the most effective include gargling with salt water, using a warm compress on your neck and chest, using honey mixed with ginger for sore throat relief, and staying hydrated while drinking fluids like hot tea.
It can be difficult to have a sore throat, especially when you have the cold or flu. The best thing that you can do for yourself is to drink plenty of liquids, not smoke, and stay hydrated. There are many home remedies that claim to relieve the pain associated with a sore throat. One popular remedy is salt water gargling, which claims to reduce swelling in the throat and offer relief from pain.
If youre reading this article, chances are very good that you have a sore throat. Its a common issue and one that can be challenging to deal with. Thankfully, there are a number of home remedies that can help soothe a sore throat and also reduce the duration of the illness.
A cold cloth works wonders for a sore throat because it removes heat from the top portion of your throat, which will cool down your esophagus and reduce irritation.
Washing Your Throat With Salt Water
A nice glass of warm salt water will do your throat wonders. This remedy reduces swelling and relieves discomfort. Salt water is able to loosen the mucus in your throat. In the end, the process flushes out bacteria and any other irritants. We suggest that you add half a teaspoon of salt to a cup of water. Next, gargle that amount of salt water every hour. Do not swallow the water. Remember, to gargle only and spit it out.
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Causes Of Chronic Sore Throat
Most sore throats are the result of viral infections, often related to the common cold or flu. Bacterial infections can also lead to sore throats. Some of the more common ones include strep throat, tonsillitis, whooping cough and diphtheria.
A sore throat is considered chronic when it lasts for more than three months. Typical factors that can cause a long-lasting sore throat include allergies, acid reflux, environmental irritants, dry air and strained vocal cords. Occasionally a more serious condition, such as a tumor or HIV, can cause a sore throat.
What Are Sore Throat Allergies A Brief Insight
Sore throat allergies are different from the rest of the allergies because they occur from bacterial related cousins instead of being caused by infections. A typical sore throat caused by cold infections goes within a few relative days but, Allergic sore throat is a chronic symptom that results like rashes, swollen glands, aching muscles, and joint pain. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, sore throat allergy season begins from early February and continues till fall. A lump like feeling inside the throat is most frequent in sore throat allergies. Reports from the Mayo Clinic suggests that developing a runny nose and nasal congestion are the most common highlighting symptoms.
Factors that lead to sore throat allergy
- Pollen
- Persistent sore throat
- Fatigue
As an important clue, the allergic sore throat lasts longer rather than common flu that lasts for 2 weeks. However, the sore throat allergies of a person can last for a longer period as long as the immune system is exposed to the allergen.
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There Are Various Reasons Why You Could Be Experiencing A Cough Or Sore Throat
Post-nasal drip will also irritate your esophagus and occurs because of sinusitis or the more chronic allergic rhinitis also known as Hay Fever. Post-nasal drip occurs when your sinuses become clogged, hence the term plugged up. Usually, youll experience additional symptoms, such as nasal congestion, sneezing and a runny or itchy nose, similar to symptoms we notice when our allergies are acting up.
Even food allergies can cause a sore throat. Generally, youll notice almost instant swelling and enlarging of the throat, which can quickly advance to anaphylaxis. This is a much more serious allergic reaction than an irritated throat. Often allergy medications , such as Benadryl, can have side effects such as a dry, scratchy throat, along with dry mouth. Consult a doctor before taking any medication and monitor your reactions to these types of allergy medicines.
For those with more serious allergies, symptoms can last an entire season, especially in the springtime. The flu and common cold will generally only have symptoms for a week to two weeks. If it is allergies, you will most likely also experience:
- tiredness
- itchy, watery eyes
- post-nasal drip
Its important if you are experiencing these symptoms to get tested by your local allergist. Rather than treating the symptoms, its best to find and treat the cause.
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Enjoy A Drop Of Honey
Warm tea that is sweetened with honey can help soothe your irritated throat. Tea also keeps you hydrated, which is another important step in treating a sore throat. Brew up a cup next time a sore throat starts to tickle.
You might consider choosing a green tea, which serves as an antibacterial, pain reliever, and rich source of antioxidants, as well as helps reduce inflammation.
Honey has another benefit when youre sick. Research shows that its an effective cough suppressant and works as well as OTC cough medication.
finds this herbal remedy soothes a sore throat as well as OTC sore throat relief sprays.
Do you have a remedy for sore throats? Tell us in the comments below »
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How Is A Sore Throat Diagnosed
Your doctor will do a physical exam. They will look at the back of your throat. Your doctor may swab the back of your throat. This is called a throat culture. It is done to collect a sample of bacteria. This also is used in a rapid strep test. This is a quick test to diagnose strep throat. The test wont tell if your sore throat is caused by something other than strep. The results of a throat culture takes between 24 and 48 hours. If your doctor thinks you may have mono, they will probably do a blood test.
How Can You Tell The Difference Between A Cold And Allergies
Both allergies and viral infections can cause symptoms like a sore throat, runny nose, headaches, and congestion. So how can you tell whats actually making you feel crummy?
How your symptoms begin are 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. If you start to notice itching, stuffiness, or an annoying tickle in the back of your throat after spending some time outside, for instance, youre probably dealing with allergies.
Other clues to watch for: 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. If your allergy medications dont seem to be helping, thats also a sign it could be a cold, flu, COVID-19, or something else.
The bad news? 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.
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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.
Best Sore Throat Remedies To Make You Feel Better Fast According To Doctors
Some home remedies only mask painbut these solutions can help you get rid of your sore throat completely.
Sore throat symptoms can be rough. Your saliva goes down like sandpaper, every cough makes you wince, and the only thing you can think about is making that lump in the back of your throat go away.
But to ease the pain, you need to understand whats causing your sore throat in the first place: dry air, smoking, acid reflux, viral infections like the flu or common cold, and bacterial infections like strep can all lead to a sore throat.
In general, a viral infection usually comes with other symptoms, like muscle aches and fatigue, along with your sore throat, says Chester Griffiths MD, an otolaryngologist at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif. With a bacterial infection, on the other hand, the pain is usually more focused on your throat and the soreness tends to be pretty severe, Dr. Griffiths says. You may also have intense pain when you swallow, along with a high fever.
Exposure to smoke, breathing in dry air, and having acid reflux tends to feel very different from an infection, says Jason Abramowitz, MD, an ear, nose, and throat specialist at ENT and Allergy Associates. Usually patients do not feel as sick overall the pain is also usually not as severe, he says.
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How You Can Tell The Difference Between Cold And Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
With both allergies and colds, its typical to have congestion or a runny nose, and to sneeze often. You may also feel tired and drowsy. But there are several other symptoms that dont often overlap between allergies and a cold. Here are some of the telltale differences between cold symptoms and allergy symptoms.
Dont Make It Worse: Forego Bad Habits
Bad and harmful habits like smoking will only make your symptoms worse. Weve previously discussed how harmful habits contribute to making conditions like a cold or sinusitis worse. You should cut out smoking altogether if you do it regularly. Smoking introduces several toxic chemicals to your system, contributing to cancer, breathing conditions, and so much more.
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What Are The Causes Of Sore Throat Allergies
Sore throat allergies are caused by many different reasons. It is a case where the immune system in the body is exposed to an allergen that occurs congestion in the sinuses that drains down the throat completely. An allergic sore throat can cause scratchy pain and tickle in the throat. The drainage of the throat can cause
- Throat irritation
- Coughing
- Difficulty in speaking
Allergy symptoms include itchy eyes, coughing, congestion, and many more, and if there is a sore throat with fever and body aches, this is likely due to viral infections like colds and flu. Allergies are caused when a reactive element called Allergens comes in contact with the bodys immune system. These Allergens are the substance that causes allergic reactions in the body. Many allergens such as pollen allergens are one of the seasonal allergies that cause sore throat allergies. These allergens include pollination of flowers and trees.
Other common allergens that can result in a sore throat, such as:
- Dust mites
- Pet dander
- Smoking Cigarette
Scratchiness in the throat is another way to determine if you have an induced-sore throat or not. In the allergic sore throat, the immune system overactive for unknown reasons and confuses the body with harmless substances like airborne dust and pollen germs.
When a body is developing allergies, it releases a chemical called histamine that fights the allergen in the same manner as it fights with cold and flu.
What Can I Take For A Sore Throat If I’m Pregnant
You have a number of safe options, depending on the cause of your sore throat and your doctor’s advice, among them:
- Tylenol : Don’t take more than 3,000 milligrams in 24 hours.
- Antihistamines: These might help if you have post-nasal drip due to a cold or allergy.
- Benzocaine: Either a spray or lozenge containing this medication can numb a sore throat.
- Chloraseptic: Also available as a spray or lozenge that can ease pain at the site.
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Ask Your Doctor About Balloon Sinuplasty
Balloons sinuplasty is a more permanent solution to sinusitis. This means that along with your sore throat, other symptoms like sinus headaches, facial pain, fever, congestion, and more can be eliminated. If you live in the New York area, contact Dr. Eric Cohen. As a leading practitioner of Balloon Sinuplasty and a qualified otolaryngologist, he can diagnose and treat your symptoms. Seek relief today.
Can Allergies Cause A Sore Throat
So, the short answer here is yes, Evan Li, MD, an allergist and assistant professor of medicine specializing in immunology, allergy and rheumatology at Baylor College of Medicine, tells Health. A sore throat can be from a direct inflammatory effect of allergens on the back of your throat, from mucus draining down into your throat, or from the irritating effect of coughing.
Sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes and nose, and runny nose are the most common symptoms associated with seasonal allergies, Kelly Simpson, MD, an allergist at Austin Regional Clinic in Austin, Texas, tells Health. But sore throat can also be added to that list, often caused by what’s referred to as “postnasal drip.” This is when increased mucus in the nasal passages drips down the back of the throat. As it drips down, it irritates the throat.
“Postnasal drip, other than causing sore throat, can also cause the sensation of something getting stuck in your throat, tickling or itching in the back of your throat and also irritation that leads to cough,” Dr. Li says.
No one allergen is more prone to causing sore throat than others, but the more potent the allergen, the more likely it is to cause symptoms of allergies overall, Dr. Li says. Some of the most potent allergens are grasses, ragweed, dust mites and cat dander.
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What Is Sore Throat
When your throat is irritated, inflamed, scratchy, painful, or very dry, its called sore throat. Your throat can be sore from a bacterial or viral infection, allergies or irritants, acid reflux, vocal overuse and strain, or even sleeping with your mouth open for too long. The pain may be worse when you swallow.
Depending on whats causing your sore throat, you can often relieve the pain and irritation by drinking warm liquids or taking throat lozenges. Sore throat caused by a viral infection usually clears up on its own after a few days of rest. A throat infection caused by bacteria is called strep throat. Your doctor can prescribe antibiotics to kill the bacteria.
You Have A Metallic Taste In Your Mouth
If youre experiencing a metallic taste in your mouth, it could point to another sore throat cause. According to Sheneen Lalani, DO, a board-certified internal medicine doctor working with COVID patients, this is typically present when you have gastroesophageal reflux disease .
The Mayo Clinic says GERD patients usually experience acid reflux at least twice a week, which can be aggravated by smoking, eating large meals, eating late at night, eating fatty or fried foods, drinking alcohol or coffee, and taking certain medications like aspirin. And for more up-to-date information, .
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