Oh, and maybe a sore throat. Though not everyone associates an itchy, scratchy throat with seasonal allergies, this symptom is completely normal, says Omid Mehdizadeh, M.
And when those proteins get into your system—say, by breathing in a whiff of dust or getting pollen blown into your eyes—your immune system launches an inflammatory response in an attempt to protect you. Part of that inflammatory response involves producing lots of extra mucus. The mucus helps propel the debris out of your body, but it can give you a runny nose and congestion.
As a result, that mucus can cause postnasal drip , where the gooky stuff dribbles down the back of your throat and makes it feel raw and irritated. Allergens can also trigger the tissues in the back of your throat to become inflamed, which only adds to the discomfort, says Dr. Both allergies and viral infections including COVID can cause symptoms like a sore throat, runny nose , headaches , and congestion.
When the cause of a sore throat is unlikely to be an allergy, a person can still take steps to relieve the issue, and any other symptoms, at home. Whether a mild infection or an allergic reaction is causing a sore throat, a person can often ease the symptom at home. Read about more natural remedies for a sore throat here. A person should seek medical attention if a sore throat lasts longer than a week or two, and they experience any of the following:.
If a doctor suspects that an allergy is responsible for the symptoms, they can identify the specific allergen with testing. A sore throat may be a symptom of an allergic reaction, a cold, the flu, or other types of infection. Because these issues often lead to similar symptoms, identifying the cause can be difficult.
One telltale symptom of seasonal allergies is itchy, watery eyes. Also, symptoms of a cold or the flu rarely last longer than 2 weeks, but allergy symptoms can last for 6 weeks or more. A range of home care techniques can help treat a sore throat and other symptoms of infections and allergic reactions. However, if symptoms are severe, or if self-care strategies and over-the-counter medications are ineffective, contact a doctor.
Essential oils are a popular home remedy for many ailments, but can they soothe a sore throat? In this article, we look at the evidence behind using…. A sore throat is a common effect of a viral or bacterial infection. Acid, chemical irritation, and acid reflux can also cause it. Treatment depends on…. Allergies occur when the body reacts to a harmless substance as if it were harmful. 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. One of hundreds of different kinds of cold-causing viruses can enter your body. As a defense mechanism, your immune system will attack these pathogens.
The result of this response is classic cold symptoms, including sore throat, cough, fever and nasal congestion. Allergies occur when you have an overactive immune system. For unknown reasons, the body confuses harmless substances allergens like airborne dust and pollens for germs and attacks them.
When you have allergies, your body releases chemicals called histamines and they fight the allergen in the same manner as when you battle a cold bug.
You can develop swollen nasal passages, runny nose, sneezing, cough and a sore throat. Popular nasal rinse products include Neil Med and the Navage device. Prevention is key as well, Dr. If you know what you're allergic to, try to stay away from it. Keep your home as free of dust as possible and change the filters in your heating and air conditioning system regularly. During the time of year when your allergies are the worst, close your windows to keep the allergen out.
Similarly, if you've been outside for extended periods, change your clothes when you enter your house, and take a shower every night before going to bed.
And overall, if you're unsure about what you're dealing with—either a sore throat from allergies or from a cold or virus, talk to your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis, as well as the most appropriate treatment plan. To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter.
What to Know, According to Experts. Can Allergies Cause a Sore Throat? Emilia Benton.
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