Allergies are unique conditions because their symptom manifestation differs from one person to person. In medical field allergy is considered to be an abnormal immunological response to a normally harmless substance that does not trouble majority of people. A foreign substance that produces allergic symptoms is called an allergen.
Most common allergens are pollen, dust particles, molds and animal dander besides many others. The symptom manifestation to an allergen may differ from one hypersensitive patient to another. For example one patient may develop skin allergy where as another may develop sore throat to the same allergic substance.
Sore throat is pain and discomfort in the throat caused due to inflammation and irritation in the throat. It’s the histamine, a chemical released by the immune system upon recognition of an allergen that produces swelling in the throat. The best treatment for allergic sore throat is to avoid exposure to an allergen. Certain home remedies are also useful to alleviate pain and irritation in throat, besides antihistamine therapy.
What Allergies Cause Sore Throat?
As mentioned earlier sore throat is pain and irritation in throat. Patient suffering from sore throat may feel scratchy sensation in throat which may become worse while swallowing food.
Allergic sore throat in most people develops due to airborne irritants such as pollen, dust, mold, animal dander and fumes of chemicals. Pollen allergy is often seasonal when the load of pollen grain is high in pollinating season during spring. Cigarette smoking is another cause for sore throat.
Natural Remedies For Sore Throat Due To Allergies
If you are suffering from allergic sore throat, the first thing that needs to be done is alleviate pain and irritation. At the same time you have to stay away from exposure to the offending allergen or an irritant. Avoid cigarette smoking or dust or pet dander. If pollen is the culprit, avoid going out frequently during the pollination season. Wear a mask when you go out and if there is risk of exposure to pollen.
The symptoms of allergic sore throat can be treated with antihistamine medicines. These medicines reduce release of histamine produced by the immune system when the body comes in contact with an allergen.
Home remedies are also effective in alleviating sore throat.
- Honey is time tested home remedy for healing sore throat. Take one teaspoon of honey two times in a day.
- Gargle with warm salt water three to four times in a day. It reduces swelling and irritation in the throat.
- Chamomile tea has soothing effect on throat. The anti oxidant and anti inflammatory properties in chamomile helps to relieve symptoms of sore throat.
- Prepare fenugreek tea by boiling few fenugreeks in water. Drink the prepared tea once or twice in a day. Fenugreek relives pain and reduces inflammation in the throat.
- Peppermint tea is another natural home remedy for relieving the symptoms of sore throat. Its antibacterial and anti viral properties help to prevent secondary infection in throat.