Is A Swollen Throat A Sign Of Allergies

How Can You Tell

It is often difficult to tell the difference between allergies and infections because many of the symptoms are similar. Fever, sore throat, swollen glands, muscle aches and colored mucus do not occur with allergies and generally indicate an infection. Itching and sneezing, particularly during a season with increased allergens or with exposure to a particle-like dust or mown grass, suggests an allergy. Stuffy nose, clear runny nose and watery eyes are common to both conditions.

What To Do If You Have Anaphylaxis

Give yourself epinephrine right away if you start to:

• have trouble breathing
• feel tightness in your throat
• have two or more milder allergic symptoms together

Don’t try to use an inhaler or antihistamine and wait to see what happens. Go straight for the epinephrine! Time matters during anaphylaxis.

If you have signs of a serious allergic reaction:

What Is The Natural Remedy For Throat Allergy

Gargle FrequentlyGargling with a warm salt solution or plain old antiseptic mouthwash can help kill off the germs in your mouth and soothe your throat. However, if these mouthwashes aren’t working for you, there are plenty of others to try, including: Ginger, honey and lemon in water. Turmeric, salt and water.

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When Should I See My Healthcare Provider About Hay Fever

Although hay fever doesnt cause any serious health problems, you should see your provider to rule out other conditions, such as asthma. Seek care if hay fever symptoms are getting in the way of your daily life or making it hard for you to sleep. Your provider can help you identify the allergens that are causing a reaction and recommend treatments to help you feel better.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Hay fever symptoms can affect your quality of life and keep you from doing the activities you love, but effective treatments are available. Millions of adults and children manage hay fever with medications and lifestyle changes. Talk to your provider about steps you can take to relieve symptoms, breathe easier and feel better.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 07/30/2020.

References

• Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Rhinitis . Accessed 9/1/2021.
• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology . Rhinitis Overview. Accessed 9/1/2021.
• InformedHealth.org . Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care 2006-. Hay fever: Allergen-specific immunotherapy in the treatment of allergies. Accessed 9/1/2021.
• Wheatley LM, Togias A. Allergic Rhinitis. N Engl J Med. 2015 Jan 29 372:456-463. Accessed 9/1/2021.

Swollen Throat Causes Of Throat Swelling

The throat is an important anatomical structure that serves as a common passage for food, water, and air. The food and drink consumed through the mouth enter the esophagus via the throat. The air that is inhaled through the nose also passes through the throat before entering the larynx, trachea and bronchi. Air exhaled from the lungs travels back through the throat before being passed out through the nose or the mouth. Therefore, the presence of any swelling in the throat can affect the movement of both food and air through it.

In some cases, the swelling in the throat may be severe enough to completely block the passage of food or air, resulting in a lethal scenario. This is especially worrisome when the swelling in the throat arises suddenly and is not attended to promptly. However, in most cases, the swelling develops gradually and does not cause any significant obstruction to the flow of air through the throat. A swollen throat is often accompanied by symptoms such as soreness or pain in the throat, hoarse voice, and difficulty in swallowing.

Read more on pharynx.

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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.

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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Can Allergies Cause A Sore Throat

Yes, sometimes allergies can cause a sore throat among other symptoms. Its all part of the way your body protects itself against allergic reactions.

• After exposure to an allergic trigger, your body releases chemicals called histamines into your bloodstream1. This can cause reactions like itchy eyes, sneezing and that general stuffy feeling.
• Histamines increase your bodys production of mucus, which is used to keep your throat, mouth and nose from drying out2. At normal levels of production, you wont notice mucus, even as it performs important tasks like neutralizing harmful bacteria.
• However, when histamines ramp up your bodys production of mucus, you may feel excess mucus in your throat caused by post-nasal drip. This can irritate your throat and cause a scratchy feeling3.

Histamines are your bodys natural reaction to any allergy trigger. So whether youre exposed to pollen as a hay fever sufferer, or to dust by opening an old book, your body springs into action resulting in the discomfort you feel during an allergic reaction.

If youre experiencing a sore throat as an allergy symptom, there are potential ways to find relief.

But that doesnt mean its not an annoyance! So lets find out how to help or stop a sore throat being caused by allergies.

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.

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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.

Itchy Throat Is A Common Symptom Of Allergies

• Frequently Asked Questions

An itchy throat can be caused by allergies. Allergies occur when your body mistakenly thinks something is foreign and tries to fight it off. Allergens can be environmental or food .

Sometimes, an itchy throat from allergies is caused by a postnasal drip. Other times, it is a sign of oral allergy syndrome. An itchy throat can also be an early sign of a life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.

This article discusses itchy throat allergies and what causes them. It also covers related symptoms and how to treat them.

Verywell / Julie Bang

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Can Allergies Cause Tonsil Issues

Allergic reactions in general can cause sore throats due to increased nasal drainage, but they can also impact your tonsil health. Your tonsils work as a filtration system against bacteria, viruses, and debris, the latter of which includes allergens like pollen and food particles. If one was to have an allergic reaction to certain types of food or other allergens, it could lead to upper respiratory inflammation and, as a result, swollen tonsils. This swelling can also affect your appetite and sleep habits with obstructive sleep apnea.

Dr. Jonathan Moss, a CEENTA allergy specialist who sees patients in our Matthews office, knows exactly how prevalent these symptoms can be in his community due to environmental factors. “With pollen levels that we see seasonally in Charlotte, symptoms outside the nose and eyes are not uncommon. Tonsils can be affected and, at times, not respond to allergy medications. If these symptoms are new or persist, an evaluation by an ENT physician would be worthwhile.

Whether your tonsil conditions are caused by infection or allergies, it is important to seek medical help whenever they occur. At CEENTA, we offer ENT services to treat tonsil-related issues along with allergy tests to diagnose and relieve allergy symptoms due to pollen, ragweed, and other environmental causes. Schedule an appointment with specialists like Dr. Moss today to get the comprehensive care you need any time of year.

How Do You Get Rid Of Uvulitis Fast

The quickest way to get rid of uvulitis is to treat the underlying condition. For example, if your uvula swells as a result of allergies, then antihistamines may reduce your symptoms. If uvulitis is a complication of tonsillitis, then your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics to treat your condition. If you have severe inflammation, then corticosteroids can reduce swelling and help you feel better fast.

If conservative treatments dont work, or if you have chronic uvulitis, you may need surgical uvula removal. During this procedure, your surgeon removes part or all of your uvula.

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When Should I See My Healthcare Provider

You should schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider if:

• Your uvulitis symptoms are worsening.
• You have a fever.
• You cant eat properly.
• You have difficulty swallowing or breathing.

If youve recently been treated for uvulitis and your symptoms return, let your healthcare provider know. They can help determine next steps.

If youre choking, or you feel like you cant breathe, call 911 or head to your nearest emergency room.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Uvulitis usually isnt dangerous, and youll likely feel better in a couple of days. But it can be scary if your swollen uvula becomes severe. You might feel like theres something stuck in your throat or you may have difficulty breathing. Uvulitis is almost always a symptom of an underlying issue, like an infection or allergic reaction. Treating the underlying issue is the best way to ease your uvulitis symptoms.

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.

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Can You Have Just A Sore Throat From Allergies With No Other Symptoms

Technically, its possible to have just this one symptom from allergies, but its less likely to be your only symptom, Dr. Wada says. Basically, if you develop a sore throat and dont have any other issues, like a runny, stuffy nose, you should at least consider that your pain might be due to something else.

Allergens And Their Effects

Postnasal drip is the main culprit in cases of allergy-induced sore throat.

Its the result of exposure to an allergen and occurs when congestion in the nose and sinuses drains down to the throat. This causes tickling or scratchy pain.

The drainage also can cause:

If you have a sore throat with fever and body aches, its likely the result of a viral infection, such as the cold or flu.

Scratchiness is another way to determine if you have an allergy-induced sore throat.

In addition to the raw feeling that results from postnasal drainage, particles that directly enter the respiratory system can cause an itchy or scratchy feeling.

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How To Treat A Sore Throat From Allergies

According to Dr. Burgert, you can treat allergy-induced sore throat with over-the counter-pain medication like Tylenol or Motrin. Even better, you can eliminate the cause of the sore throat with antihistamines like Zyrtec, Claritin, or Allegra. Steroid nasal sprays can also decrease the production of watery mucus but take a few days to start working.

As a natural treatment, allergy-prone children should reduce their exposure to the allergen as much as possible. For example, children allergic to pollen shouldn’t sleep with bedroom windows open during the pollen season, and they should shower before bedtime to remove as much pollen as possible. Similarly, children with allergies to dogs or cats should be kept away from these animals. Keeping hydrated and using high-efficiency particulate air filters may also help.

If your child has serious or prolonged allergy symptoms, talk with a doctor, who may diagnose allergies by examining your child and reviewing their symptoms and medical history. In some cases, the doctor will conduct blood or skin tests to make a diagnosis, and they might recommend prescription medication or treatment with allergy shots.

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.

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What Causes An Itchy Throat

Allergies are one of the most common causes of an itchy throat. An allergic reaction occurs when a substance called an allergen triggers an immune system response in your body. Examples of common allergy triggers that can cause an itchy throat include:

• foods, such as peanut butter, dairy, or strawberries
• pollen, found in trees, grass, or ragweed

Allergies can range from mild to severe. An itchy throat can indicate a milder, yet uncomfortable, allergic reaction.

Inhaling pollutants can also lead to an itchy throat. These might include:

• tobacco smoke or vapor

Infections, such as the common cold or strep throat, can start as an itchy throat before progressing to soreness and pain.

An itchy throat may feel:

An itchy throat feels uncomfortable, and it can feel as if you need to clear your throat frequently.

Its important to distinguish between the symptoms of an itchy throat and similar symptoms that may indicate other conditions. For example, an itchy throat doesnt feel rough or raw, or make you feel as if you cant breathe.