A sore throat is the most common body disorder that you may suffer from. You may think that it is caused due to a cold that you have extracted and hence, start taking medications for the same. You think that some throat lozenge will cure your sore throat, but it’s been days, rather weeks now , and still , your sore throat persists. What you are unaware of is that a sore throat can be caused due to allergies as well.

When you r throat becomes sore as a result of an allergic reaction caused due to airborne particles like poll en or dust, the condition is a little bit more complicated. Once you address the precise reason of the allergy, your sore throat can be cured permanently.

Causes of an allergy-induced sore throat

A s ore throat from allergies can be caused due to many reasons. Postnasal drips are the main effects of a sore throat from allergies . Postnasal drips are caused due to exposure to an allergen, which occurs when the congestion i n sinuses comes down the throat and cause a tickling or an itchy pain. This dripping sensation also causes:

• Coughing
• Excessive amount o f swallowing
• A persistent irritation in your throat
• Difficulty in talking

Allergies like pollen allergies are seasonal. H owever, several allergies can cause you year-round suffering. Your allergies will worsen when there is a high amount of allergens in the air, like during pollination in spring.

There are other common allergens which cause allergies, thereby  resulting in a sore throat. They are:

• Cigarette smoke
• Dust Mites
• Molds and mildews
• Pet Dander

When you are exposed to these allergens , you may suffer from cold and flu-like symptoms.

Symptoms of allergies

The symptoms of allergies caused due to airborne allergens, generally include one or more of the following:

• Congestion
• Sneezing
• Itchy eyes
• Coughing
• Sore throat

However, if you have a sore throat, that is paired with fever and body ache, then you are most probably suffering from a viral fever , a viral cold or flu.

Prevention and treatment of an allergy-induced sore throat

A sore throat from allergies can be prevented by taking some basic measures which include but don’t restrict only to the following:

• Reduced exposure to irritants and allergens
• Keeping away from cigarette smoke
• Staying away from pet dander
• Keeping your windows closed
• Wearing surgical mask when outside

Since you can’t keep allergens away all the time,  there are some treatments that you can avail to treat a sore throat from allergies . A few of the treatments are:

• Some over-the-counter antihistamines like loratadine (Claritin) and cetirizine (Zyrtec) can be consumed to keep the allergy at bay. These medications help to prevent the rise in histamine response to allergens in your body.
• When your allergies become severe and consistent, your doctor will recommend a prescription strength medicine.
• He/she may  also prescribe a nasal spray or decongestants to prevent postnasal drips that can lead to sore throats.
• You can easily visit the allergist and get a prick test, or a blood test is done to know the specific allergens you are allergic to. This will help you avoid the specific allergens and give you an idea of whether you qualify for immunotherapy or allergy shots.

Natural remedies to a sore throat from allergies

There are various kinds of natural remedies that you can use to get relief from a sore throat from allergies that has been troubling you. The remedies are:

• Water
  Water always comes recommended for treating congestion. Drinking plenty of water will keep the throat moist and help thin the mucus as dryness exacerbates the soreness of the throat.
• Warm liquids
  Any warm liquid such as soups and hot teas will provide a comfort to your sore throat from allergies . If you are uncomfortable, then you can also rinse with a little bit of salt in warm water as this soothes the itchy throat. Caffeine beverages are a complete no – no for a sore throat. Caffeine irritates a sore throat, adding to your already persisting discomfort.
• Neti pots
  Neti pots are  a good remedy for your congestion as it flushes out your sinuses. A neti pot is used to p our a specially formulated salt water solution directly into your nasal cavity. But be careful while using it and remember that overusing can cause further problems.

A sore throat from allergies will go away as soon as you stop yourself from being exposed to the allergens. This is , however, easier said than done. That is the reason why you should have yourself checked by an allergist and know the  allergens that you are  allergic to. This will allow you to be careful in the future. Don’t leave your allergies unattended as it may further lead to severe complicat ions , including sinus infection.