Can Allergies Cause Fever
The short answer is allergies dont cause fever. But, allergy symptoms can make you more vulnerable to a viral or bacterial infection, which can lead to a fever. So, its common to blame a fever on your allergies, even though technically that isnt the cause.
Allergies are caused when your immune system overreacts to common things in the environment such as tree and grass pollen of common dust mites in your home. The typical allergy symptoms most people experience include:
- Coughing
- Diarrhea or nausea are common if you have food allergies
- Headache or sinus pain
- Wheezing or asthma
If you have a fever, body aches, and a sore throat, its likely caused by a viral infection from a cold or flu.
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.
Can Sinus Cause Swollen Tonsils
Post-nasal drip often leads to a sore, irritated throat. Although there is usually no infection, the tonsils and other tissues in the throat may swell. This can cause discomfort or a feeling that there is a lump in the throat. Successful treatment of the post-nasal drip will usually clear up these throat symptoms.
Don’t Miss: Is Phenylephrine Hydrochloride An Antihistamine
Are You Treating Multiple Symptoms
For a cold, get extra rest and drink plenty of fluids, including water, tea, or soup with lots of broth. For allergies, it can help to shower and change your clothes often because allergens cling to skin, hair, and clothing. For both colds and allergies, over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants, and pain relievers may help you feel better, although they wont make a cold go away any faster. And no matter what ails you, avoid medications that treat multiple symptoms, especially if you dont have some of the symptoms the medication is meant to treat.
If home treatments arent working and you still dont feel well, connect with our Consulting Nurse Service or if you are in the Seattle area, visit a CareClinic by Kaiser Permanente at Bartell Drugs.
Your Lymph Nodes Feel Swollen And Tender
Your sore throat could also be the result of a strep throat infection. According to Goldstein, a strep throat will often leave your lymph nodes swollen and tender, causing pain when you swallow. You may also see redness, white patches, or pus on the back of your throat or tonsils. And for tell-tale coronavirus symptoms, find out The Earliest Signs You Have COVID, According to Johns Hopkins.
Also Check: Loratadine For Allergy
Why Does My Throat Feel Blocked
The most common causes of globus pharyngeus are anxiety and gastroesophageal reflux disease , a form of acid reflux that causes the stomachs contents to travel back up the food pipe and sometimes into the throat. This can result in muscle spasms that trigger feelings of an object caught in the throat.
Is My Dry Throat From Dehydration
A dry throat can be caused by simply not staying hydrated enough. If you do not drink enough water, your body begins to lose the natural saliva that helps keep your mouth and throat moist. A key sign of dehydration would be if your urine is darker than usual, or if you are feeling very fatigued. If this is the cause of your dry throat, try buying a gallon of water to drink throughout the day. According to The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicines, here are the recommended daily fluid intake recommendations:
- Men: Approx 15.5 cups of fluid per day
- Women: 11.5 cups of fluid per day
Don’t Miss: Can Allergies Make You Nauseous
Taking An Antihistamine Makes Your Sore Throat Feel Better
If you do have allergies, you’re likely to experience other symptoms such as an itchy throat, watery eyes, sneezing, congestion, and a runny nose, says Goldstein. However, these symptoms should significantly improve if you take an antihistamine like Claritin or Benadryl. If you don’t feel your symptoms improve at all, you could be dealing with something else, including COVID. And for warning signs to be aware of, If You Have One of These COVID Symptoms, the CDC Says to Call 911.
Is My Dry Throat An Allergy Symptom
Allergies are caused by common allergens such as grass, pollen, pet dander, cedar, ragweed, or more. These allergens then trigger an allergic response that include:
With these symptoms, congestion can lead to breathing only through the mouth, which can dry out your throat. Taking it one step further, a sore throat can occur with allergies due to mucus running at the back of your throat called post nasal drip. If your dry throat is caused by allergies, you can learn more about the different allergy treatment options at Curist.
Also Check: Antihistamine Purpose
How Can We Treat Sore Throat Allergies
Preventing throat allergies is extremely important because it may lead to serious consequences. The foremost step that one should do is to limit itself from getting exposed to irritants as little as possible.
Avoid irritants like cigarette smoke and pet dander as much as possible. Keep the windows closed during the spring seasons and try to wear a surgical mask outside that will protect the throat from getting airborne allergens even in the worst season of the year.
Side by side, one must consult a doctor if the sore throat allergies do not get better after medication.
Over the counter, anti-allergens medication compositions such as antihistamines like loratadine or Claritin and cetirizine may be taken daily to alleviate allergy symptoms. These composite medications work by preventing the body from experiencing a histamine response.
Immediate doctor many times recommends a prescription of medication consisting of nasal sprays or decongestants that helps to prevent the postnasal drip that leads to severe sore throat allergies.
A study is published by the American Academy of Family Physicians, in which the researchers have stated that on average most people need one or two shots of allergy shots per week with a course consisting of six months. The monthly maintenance of shots on average is required for three to five years.
Is My Dry Throat Due To The Common Cold
The common cold can also lead to a dry throat. The common cold can feel like allergy symptoms, but it is not caused by a specific allergen. One way to determine if your dry throat is due to a cold could be if you have these other symptoms:
Not sure how to tell if you have a cold or allergies? Check out Common Cold vs Allergies.
Also Check: What’s The Difference Between Zyrtec And Claritin
What Are Your Symptoms
Both allergies and colds may cause a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, a cough, and fatigue. Itchy eyes, post-nasal drip, and dark circles under your eyes are more common with allergies. Symptoms more commonly caused by a virus include sore throat, cloudy or discolored nasal discharge, fever, and general aches and pains.
Can You Get A Sore Throat From Allergies And What Causes It
Yep, and how you develop it all comes down to how your body reacts when its exposed to an allergen like pollen. If you have allergies, your immune system will react to being exposed to an allergen by releasing histamines, chemicals that cause allergy symptoms.
For many people with seasonal allergies, those histamines can cause a stuffy, runny noseand that can trigger post-nasal drip, i.e. mucus running down the back of your throat, explains Purvi Parikh, MD, an allergist with Allergy & Asthma Network. And that can cause irritation back there. Cue the sore throat. Often, first thing in morning it will be worse from laying down all night, Dr. Parikh says.
Post-nasal drip isnt the only reason you might develop a sore throat from allergies, though. Coughing and mouth breathing can also mess with the way your throat feels, says Kara Wada, MD, an allergist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Of course, not everyone with allergies gets a sore throat. Allergies can affect each of us differently, Dr. Wada says. There are some things that might make you more prone to struggling with a sore throat from allergies, Dr. Parikh says, including how severe your allergies are and the anatomy of your nose.
Don’t Miss: Zyrtec An Antihistamine
The Effects Of 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:
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.
Also Check: Twix Peanut Allergy
Sore Throat Caused By Allergies
Got a sore throat? Allergies might be to blame. Though many sore throats can be caused by viruses, such as the common cold or flu, or bacteria such as strep throat, allergies are an over-overlooked culprit. If you suspect your sore throat might be caused by allergies, heres what you need to know about treating the problem and alleviating the symptoms.
What Other Symptoms Are Caused By Allergies
There are lots of symptoms caused by allergies, sometimes depending on the person and also the allergen.
Klarify say: There are lots of telltale signs to look for if you think you might be experiencing allergy symptoms. Signs such as frequent sneezing, itchy or watery eyes and a congested nose. You may experience problems when you eat certain foods.
The NHS website explains the symptoms of an allergic reaction:
Allergic reactions usually happen quickly within a few minutes of exposure to an allergen.
They can cause:
- a runny or blocked nose
- red, itchy, watery eyes
- a red, itchy rash
- worsening of asthma or eczema symptoms
Most allergic reactions are mild, but occasionally a severe reaction called anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock can occur.
This is a medical emergency and needs urgent treatment.
You May Like: Phenylephrine Hcl Allergy
Is My Sore Throat Covid
A sore throat is pretty common, as far as symptoms of illness go. Sore throat can be caused by illnesses ranging from the non-serious to the dangerous.
You can get a sore throat from the common cold. And if youve ever woken up with a sore throat after spending the day before cheering your heart out at a football game or screaming along to the lyrics at your favorite bands concert, you also know you dont need to be sick at all to get a sore throat.
So, when should you worry about a sore throat? Thats a question made even more pressing by the COVID-19 pandemic. A sore throat is also a common symptom of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
Allergy Symptoms Vs Covid
Throughout the US, pollen has started to bloom and cause typical symptoms in those with allergies right as we have seen the spread of the coronavirus . Allergies typically cause nasal symptoms such as a runny nose and sinus congestion but do not usually result in a fever, as is found with coronavirus or the flu. While some symptoms of the coronavirus overlap with allergies, there are several differences.
Its important to note that this article is not intended to provide comprehensive medical advice. If you have concerns, please always contact your doctor and use general best practices.
You May Like: Clarotin
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.
How Is Hay Fever Diagnosed
Your healthcare provider will examine you, ask about your symptoms and evaluate you for other conditions, such as a cold or asthma. To measure your antibodies to specific allergens, your provider may take a blood sample and send it to a lab for testing. This blood test is called an immunoglobulin E test. It can detect all types of allergies, including food allergies.
Your provider may recommend a skin prick test to determine what allergens are causing your symptoms.
You May Like: Is Zyrtec Antihistamine
How Allergies Can Cause A Sore Throat
The glands in your nose and throat make about one to two quarts of mucus every day, reports the American Academy of OtolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery Foundation. This mucus has many important functions, such as keeping your nose clean and moistening the air you breathe, and you usually swallow it without realizing. Other times, people may notice mucus dripping down the back of their nose or pooling in their throat. This unpleasant sensation is known as postnasal drip, and it can be caused by allergies.
If you have postnasal drip, the trickle of mucus can irritate your throat and cause soreness and other symptoms, such as feeling a lump in the throat or swallowing more frequently. It may also make you feel the need to clear your throat more often.
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.
Don’t Miss: Claritin 24 Side Effects
Sore Throat It May Be Allergies
You know the telltale signs of allergies: itchy eyes, runny nose, congestion and sneezing. But did you know that allergies can also cause a sore throat? Below we review how allergies can result in a sore throat, how to treat a sore throat caused by allergies and how to tell the difference between a sore throat caused by allergies and one caused by a cold.
