Finally Find Relief With Sore Throat Specialists
A sore throat can be frustrating, and even worse is not knowing the reason why youre suffering. The experts at Advanced ENT & Allergy Center specialize in the sinus and allergy issues that may be causing your sore throat. Our doctors will get to the source of your sore throat symptoms, developing a treatment plan to help you find true, lasting relief. Dont wait to get rid of your sore throatconnect with our specialists today.
Treat Your Sore Throat At Allergy & Ent Associates In Houston Tx
Most of the time, a sore throat is caused by a minor viral or bacterial infection that clears up within a week or so. However, if your symptoms persist after trying at-home remedies and over-the-counter medicines, it may be time to seek an ear, nose and throat specialist to rule out more serious medical problems. At Allergy & ENT Associates, our board-certified doctors can diagnose and treat your throat pain using a wide variety of methods. Call us at MY-SINUS to schedule your appointment today!
Is My Sore Throat From Allergies Or Something Else
When you have allergies and are going through an allergic reaction, you may experience some of the same symptoms as you do when you have a cold or similar infection, including:
Cold symptoms that dont normally occur with allergies include:
- Thick and yellow or green mucus
Allergy symptoms that are less likely to occur when you have a cold include:
- Watery, red eyes
- Itchy nose, throat, and/or mouth
- Facial swelling
The time of year is imperative to keep in mind, too. Youre more likely to experience certain allergies in the spring and summer, and more likely to have a cold or other infection in the fall and winter months, depending on where you live.
However, mold and mold-related allergies can develop year-round, and exposure to pet dander can lead to postnasal drip and sore throat no matter the season.
If youre still not sure whats causing your sore throat, it may be time to make an appointment with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
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What Is A Sore Throat
A sore throat refers to any condition in which the throat feels irritated, swollen, or painful. The medical term for a sore throat is âpharyngitis.â Instead of being a condition in and of itself, it is a symptom of another condition.
The pharynx is a tube in the back of the throat, which sits between the tonsils and the voice box. Most often, pharyngitis is caused by a bacterial or viral infection that gets into the throat, which causes the pharynx to inflame . This, in turn, leads to pain and all the other sensations that accompany a sore throat.
Depending on what caused the sore throat, an individual may also experience symptoms such as fever, body aches, and swollen glands.
More than 2% of all primary care visits for adults are because of a sore throat.1 It is most common between late winter and early spring, which coincides with cold and flu season. Early spring is also the time when most cases of seasonal allergies occur, which can account for the increase in doctorâs visits for sore throat.
To Help Soothe A Sore Throat
Be sure to drink lots of fluids and keep your throat lubricated to eliminate scratchiness.
- Use a humidifier in your home because dry air can bring on a sore throat and make an existing sore throat feel worse.
- Try not to speak for long periods of time and keep your volume down to avoid strain on your throat and vocal cords.
- Drink lots of warm liquids such as tea or broth to help soothe a scratchy throat.
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What Is Hay Fever
Hay fever is the common name for allergic rhinitis. Hay fever describes a reaction that occurs when your nose or eyes come in contact with allergens to which you are sensitive, such as pollens, dust mites, moulds or animal dander. For some people, exposure to these allergens can trigger an immune response , which leads to swelling and inflammation in the inner lining of the nose .
Hay fever affects 1 in 5 people in Australia. Despite its name, its not caused by hay and doesnt cause a fever.
Is It Allergies Or A Cold
Cold and allergy symptoms often overlap, so its easy to mistake cold symptoms for allergies, and vice versa. Understanding the cause of your symptoms helps you choose the right treatment. It also gives you a better picture of your overall health.
Clinicians use the 5 factors below to help distinguish between colds and allergies.
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Symptoms Of A Sore Throat
A sore throat means that your throat hurts and is irritated, swollen, or scratchy. It usually hurts worse when you swallow. Depending on the cause of your sore throat, symptoms include:
- White spots on your throat or tonsils
- Red, swollen tonsils
- Swollen glands in your neck
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Four Common Allergens That Might Be Causing Your Sore Throat
If you’ve ever had a sore throat, then you know the pain it can create and how it can affect your quality of life. But it’s not always easy to pinpoint the cause of your sore throat. Many think that sore throats are linked to allergies, the common cold or even the flu. Weâre here to help you determine what exactly is causing your sore throat and help you take the right steps to get the relief you deserve!
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What Kills A Sore Throat Fast
Warm liquids broth, caffeine-free tea or warm water with honey and cold treats such as ice pops can soothe a sore throat. Dont give honey to children younger than a year old. Gargling with cold water is a good idea if you have a cold, but its not a cure-all. If youre having trouble breathing, you may need to take a deep breath and hold it for a few seconds before swallowing.
What Does Covid Sore Throat Feel Like
Some people a sore throat is similar to allergies. They it is similar to having a sore throat. OTC medications are available to help with the symptoms. A cough can be a sign that something is wrong with your lungs. If you have a cough that lasts for more than a few minutes, you should see your doctor right away.
You may need to be admitted to the hospital to have your airways checked out. This is called a bronchoscopy. The doctor will also check your blood pressure and take a blood sample to check for the presence of viruses or bacteria that may be causing the cough.
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Is Sore Throat A Symptom Of Allergies
Sore throat is commonly triggered by allergens An allergen is a substance that causes an allergic reaction. When you’re allergic to something, your bodys immune system incorrectly identifies it as dangerous and begins creating antibodies against it. This antibody response is the reason your body produces allergy symptoms.
Common allergens that may cause a sore throat related to postnasal drip include:
Ways To Prevent Your Sore Throat:
Avoiding allergens is the best way to prevent a sore throat from occurring.
- Check your local pollen count every morning and plan your day accordingly. Stay indoors, especially when pollen counts are high. This will also help you track if your sore throat is caused by allergies or something else.
- Use an air purifier to keep allergens out of the air and reduce the symptoms of a sore throat.
- Shower immediately after coming inside to keep allergens out of your home.
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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.
What Are Other Causes Of Allergy Symptoms In The Morning
Allergy symptoms in the morning arent only caused by allergens, though. Nonallergic rhinitis can also trigger morning allergy symptoms like congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and coughing.
Allergic rhinitis and nonallergic rhinitis cause similar symptoms. The difference is that nonallergic rhinitis doesnt involve the immune system. Rather, other irritants and factors trigger allergy-like symptoms. These factors include:
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Causes Of Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is caused by an allergic reaction.
Common allergies include:
- pollen from trees, grass and weeds
- house dust mites
- animals such as dogs and cats
- wood dust, flour dust and latex
You’re more likely to get an allergy if people in your family also have them or conditions such as eczema and asthma.
Allergic rhinitis is different from non-allergic rhinitis, which is caused by things like having a cold, very hot or cold temperatures and humidity.
Gargle With Salt Water Or Baking Soda
Did your mom or grandmother make you gargle with salt water when you had a sore throat as a kid? If so, she definitely knew her stuff! Gargling with warm salt water actually helps break down mucus, reduce swelling and soothe irritation in your throat. All you need is to dissolve a half-teaspoon of salt in a full glass of warm water, gargle in the back of your throat and spit out. Repeat every three hours as needed.
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Soothing The Sore Throats Of Allergies
Itchy eyes and runny noses are par for the course during spring and fall for those who suffer from seasonal allergies. But if you happen to wake up in the middle of the night with a throat so sore you can hardly swallow, you might also be dealing with allergy symptoms.
Exposure to allergens causes your body to ramp up mucus production. For some people that causes a runny nose, but in others the extra mucus drains down the throat, a symptom called postnasal drip which can lead to a tickle in the throat or scratchy pain. Irritants that cause an allergic reaction can include pollen, cigarette smoke, dust mites or pet dander.
Sore throats caused by allergies can be painful. A few ways to help soothe them include: Avoid irritants. Limit your time outside as much as possible when pollen counts are high, stay away from second hand smoke and avoid coming into close contact with furry pets. Run a humidifier to keep the air moist in your home, especially in the bedroom while you sleep. Drink plenty of water to soothe your throat and stay hydrated. Use cough drops or hard candy to coat your throat and ease the pain. Over the counter pain relievers can help reduce inflammation, and antihistamines can help control the mucus production.
Here at Piedmont Ear, Nose and Throat Associates, our experienced medical staff can help isolate your symptoms and get you on the right course to feeling better in no time.
Questions? Contact us, or call 768-3361 today to schedule your appointment.
What Can You Do
Chamomile tea a warm drink of any kind will help to soothe a sore throat but its best to avoid caffeine when suffering from allergic rhinitis as this contains high levels of histamine which can exasperate symptoms. Therefore, as herbal tea contains low levels of histamine, this is a better choice chamomile tea is a refreshing and tasty option.
Gargle salt water this doesnt sound all that pleasant but surprisingly, gargling salt water can actually help allergic rhinitis symptoms such as a sore throat. Thats because salt water contains antiseptic properties which should ease any irritation and prevent infection.
Stay hydrated water keeps the back of the throat moist which helps to soothe the area and lessen any feelings of irritation.
Support the immune system your immune system may need some extra assistance when its busy fighting off allergens like dust mites and mould spores. One means of giving it this extra support is through Echinaforce Echinacea Drops which are made from fresh Echinacea to maximise the beneficial properties of the plant.
Try a warm lemon and honey hot drink this helps to calm any irritation in the back of the throat to help the are feel more comfortable.
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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.
Soothing A Sore Throat At Home
Here are several home remedies that may help soothe a sore throat from allergies, according to Harvard Medical School:
- Stay well-hydrated to help to thin the mucus.
- Consume more hot liquids, such as chicken soup.
- Use a humidifier or inhale steam.
- Prop yourself up with a few extra pillows at night, since mucus can collect in the back of your throat when you lie flat.
There are also many over-the-counter medications available, including oral decongestants and antihistamines. Nasal decongestants may also be helpful, though Harvard Medical School cautions that they shouldn’t be used for more than one to two days. For help choosing the most appropriate product, talk to your doctor or a pharmacist.
While these steps can help soothe a sore throat from allergies, they won’t prevent future allergy symptoms. Pollen, whether from grass, trees or ragweed, is a common culprit of seasonal allergies, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, so avoiding exposure to it can help. The Mayo Clinic recommends staying indoors on dry, windy days and, if possible, keeping your doors and windows closed on days with high pollen counts. If you need to do outdoor chores, such as lawn mowing or weed pulling, wear a pollen mask.
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S For Managing Your Sore 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.
How You Treat It
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever.Acetaminophen or NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen can take the edge off many cold symptoms, including your sore throat. Make sure you follow the directions on the label.
If you have other medical problems or take other meds, check with your doctor before taking any over-the-counter drugs.
Deal with your nasal symptoms. Mucus from your sinuses can drain into your throat, adding to its soreness. If you have a runny nose or you’re stuffed up, an over-the-counter or antihistamine may help.
If hay fever is causing the drip of mucus into your throat, allergy treatments will ease your soreness, too.
Try a throat spray. Over-the-counter versions of these “numbing” products can help. Herbal sprays with echinacea and sage may also make you feel better.
Take zinc. If you have a cold, some studies show that you can ease symptoms if you take zinc lozenges every 2 hours. They seem to work best if you start to use them within 48 hours after you get sick.
Gargle with salt water. Swish warm, salty water in the back of your throat a few times a day to bring down swelling and ease pain. Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon in 1/2 cup of warm water.
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Why Do I Wake Up With A Sore Throat And Stuffy Nose
The most common reason for a sore throat in the morning is a dry environment, along with mouth breathing and acid reflux. He that sore throats can be caused by dehydration, hay fever, or the beginning of a cold. .
The cause of sorethroat is not known, but it is thought to be due to a combination of factors, including the following: The mucous membranes of the throat and esophagus can become inflamed and irritated.
When To Seek Medical Care
Talk to your doctor if you or your child have symptoms of sore throat. They may need to test you or your child for strep throat.
Also see a doctor if you or your child have any of the following:
- Difficulty breathing
Since bacteria cause strep throat, antibiotics are needed to treat the infection and prevent rheumatic fever and other complications. A doctor cannot tell if someone has strep throat just by looking in the throat. If your doctor thinks you might have strep throat, they can test you to determine if it is causing your illness.
Anyone with strep throat should stay home from work, school, or daycare until they no longer have fever AND have taken antibiotics for at least 12 hours.
If a virus causes a sore throat, antibiotics will not help. Most sore throats will get better on their own within one week. Your doctor may prescribe other medicine or give you tips to help you feel better.
More aboutC. diff
When antibiotics arent needed, they wont help you, and their side effects could still cause harm. Side effects can range from mild reactions, like a rash, to more serious health problems. These problems can include severe allergic reactions, antibiotic-resistant infections and C. diff infection. C. diff causes diarrhea that can lead to severe colon damage and death.
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