Signs Your Sore Throat is Caused by an Allergy

The air we breathe can have a direct impact on the throat. It can be dry and may contain pollutants, bacteria or viruses. To protect against infection, the throat is coated with a layer of mucus that keeps the mucous membranes lubricated. Viruses and bacteria may penetrate this protective layer and cause typical cold symptoms like a sore throat. But even without a cold, a sore throat can occur due to allergies. Especially when the allergic reaction affects the airways.

Pollen drift is one of the main causes. It can have a damaging effect and trigger hay fever, resulting in the typical symptoms of an allergic reaction:

• Itchy nose, eyes and throat.
• Tingling in the nose and throat.
• Scratchy throat or a scratchy feeling in the roof of the mouth, as well as eyes and nose.

Hay fever¹ is very seasonal. The first pollen is in the air right at the start of the year, reaching a peak in late spring. Besides a scratchy throat, another symptom can be a sore throat on one side without the typical signs of a cold. Further symptoms can accompany this:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Burning sensation in the throat
• Prickly sensation in the throat
• Dry throat
• Sensation of a lump in the throat
• Swollen pharyngeal mucous membrane (lining of the pharynx)
• Swollen lymph nodes

Different Causes of a Sore Throat

Sore throat due to environmental causes²

Getting a sore throat due to an allergy is not uncommon. When the respiratory tract comes into contact with environmental causes (so when the outside air that you breathe in streams into your lungs through your nose, mouth and throat), allergies come into contact with the mucous membranes. The tissue becomes irritated and the body sets its defence mechanisms in motion. This results in our body releasing histamine, which can cause swelling and increased sensitivity of the nerve endings in the throat – the throat or the roof of the mouth becomes itchy, starts tingling or causes a scratchy feeling in the throat.

Easing the symptoms of a sore throat caused by an allergic reaction

Anyone who suffers from a sore throat due to allergies can take various remedies to ease the symptoms. Antihistamines are available from any pharmacy in tablet form, for example, and are effective in helping with allergic reaction. There is also the option to have immunotherapy or “desensitization” as a preventive measure to avoid allergic reactions happening at all.

Symptoms can be eased with home remedies, and not just when a sore throat occurs without a cold. There are many natural remedies to ease a sore throat such as tea, a throat compress or steam inhalation. If you suffer from an allergy, you should avoid foods high in histamine. These include³:

• Spirits, red wine and sparkling wine
• Cheese
• Raw sausage such as salami and bacon
• Seafood and fish
• Sauerkraut
• Specific vegetables such as tomato, spinach and aubergine

But other remedies can also be useful, e.g.:

• Drink warm drinks (especially teas that help ease a sore throat)
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Use air humidifiers
• Avoid speaking loudly or overusing your voice
• Rest
• Avoid smoke and smoking
• Avoid excessively hot, hard or spicy food and drinks

Medications for Sore Throat

If you wish to resort to medication, you should keep an eye on the symptoms. The right product exists for all symptoms. In addition, there are various dosage forms (e.g. lozenges) available.

Strepsils provides relief at the first sign of a scratchy throat. It is available in three different flavours and provides effective relief, particularly for children, with its dual-action antiseptic.

For a severe sore throat, take Strepsils Max Pro® to numb your pain in less than a minute.

Strepsils Max Pro lozenges relieve pain and inhibit inflammation for long-lasting relief of your sore throat, without numbing.

When should I see a doctor about my sore throat caused by allergies?

Severe and even mild hay fever symptoms which do not pass after a few days can be treated easily at home⁴. This, however, requires that you have adequate experience with home remedies or medication. Seek advice from a pharmacist or even an ear, nose and throat specialist, lung specialist, allergist, paediatrician or GP where required. If you believe that the sore throat is caused by an allergy, you should contact a doctor to arrange an allergy test. Allergy symptoms include, for example, itching in the throat or rashes around the eyes.

Ultimately: A scratchy or dry throat is initially nothing sinister. If you are wondering when you should go to the doctor, look for the following symptoms:

• Your sore throat is not getting better or is even getting worse, after 3 days, despite taking steps to relieve it.
• In addition to your sore throat, you are feeling breathless, finding it difficult to breathe or are having great difficulty swallowing.
• You have a high temperature.

Tips to Prevent Sore Throats

The right food can help ease a sore throat caused by allergies.

1. Citrus fruits (orange, grapefruit, lemons, clementines) are important here for providing vitamin C.
2. Nettles
3. The consumption of nettles, for example as a tea or added to a soup, can result in the body reacting less sensitively to air pollen.
4. Parsley
   Parsley inhibits the production of histamine in the blood. Parsley is also the best friend of hay fever sufferers.
5. Thyme
   Thyme is a natural mucolytic that thins mucus and helps with blocked noses and coughing.
6. Broccoli
   Broccoli contains vitamin C and is anti-inflammatory. It also contains many antioxidants to clear the nose and sinuses.
7. Elderberries
   Dark red berries contain resveratrol, a compound that calms allergies.
8. Onions and garlic
   The phytochemical quercetin, found in onions and garlic, inhibits inflammation and lessens allergic reactions as an antihistamine.

There are a couple of things to remember to minimise the risk of sore throats⁵.

• Eat a balanced diet - plenty of fruit and vegetables
• Get a good night’s sleep - eight hours per day is usually enough for most people.
• Exercise - outdoors is best
• Try to avoid stress - even if daily life is often stressful, you can try to develop ways of relaxing.
• Don’t smoke - actively or passively
• Strengthen your immune system - it’s easy to do this with home remedies, like fruit smoothies, to boost your defences
• Drink plenty of fluids to keep your pharyngeal mucous membrane lubricated
• Ensure there is a good indoor climate - avoid draughts and ensure there is adequate humidity

Sources:

¹ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever/

² https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3439613/

³ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6549462/

⁴ https://www.healthline.com/health/hay-fever-symptoms

⁵ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sore-throat/

⁶ Banner Photo from jcomp from freepik