Even in mild cases, seasonal allergies are uncomfortable. For those with allergies, a stuffy nose, watery eyes, and constant sneezing are not symptoms to take lightly. But when a sore throat is added to the mix, seasonal allergies can become downright unbearable. 

Of course, many people associate a sore throat with an illness, like the common cold. So, you might not put two-and-two together when they start to feel a tickle at the back of your throat. However, seasonal allergies can — and often do — cause a sore and scratchy throat. 

Read on to tackle this annoying (and painful) symptom of seasonal allergies. We’ll explain why allergies cause a sore throat, how to tell it apart from another illness, and some common methods people use to get relief. 

What Is a Sore Throat?

A sore throat refers to any condition in which the throat feels irritated, swollen, or painful. The medical term for a sore throat is “pharyngitis.” Instead of being a condition in and of itself, it is a symptom of another condition.

The pharynx is a tube in the back of the throat, which sits between the tonsils and the voice box. Most often, pharyngitis is caused by a bacterial or viral infection that gets into the throat, which causes the pharynx to inflame (i.e. swell). This, in turn, leads to pain and all the other sensations that accompany a sore throat. 

Depending on what caused the sore throat, an individual may also experience symptoms such as fever, body aches, and swollen glands. 

More than 2% of all primary care visits for adults (and 5% for children) are because of a sore throat.1 It is most common between late winter and early spring, which coincides with cold and flu season. Early spring is also the time when most cases of seasonal allergies occur, which can account for the increase in doctor’s visits for sore throat. 

What Are the Symptoms of a Sore Throat?

If someone has a sore throat, there won’t be any doubt in their mind that it’s what they’re experiencing. 

In mild cases, they might have slight irritation that can be accompanied by a scratchy sensation in the back of the throat. 

However, in most moderate to severe cases, the symptoms might be worse. People can feel significant inflammation and irritation in the throat, which can cause pain when talking or swallowing food or drink. They may also experience a hoarse voice that gets worse the more they speak.

Depending on what caused their sore throat, people may experience swollen lymph nodes, inflamed tonsils, and even a fever. However, if the sore throat is caused by allergens (i.e. the things that trigger an allergic reaction), then this collection of additional symptoms likely won’t be the case. 

Why Do Allergies Cause a Sore Throat?

Many patients are surprised to learn that their sore throat is caused by seasonal allergies. However, sore throats are common in those with allergies. To explain why this happens, let’s go over how allergies develop in the first place.

When someone’s allergic to something, their body sees that substance as harmful — even if it’s something harmless like pollen. When the proteins from those substances get into the body, the immune system has an inflammatory response meant to protect the body from dangerous invaders, such as a viral or bacterial infection. One part of this response? Producing extra mucus.

Mucus can help to clear the substance out of the body. However, it can also mean a runny nose, which can drain into the throat. As a result, people may experience post-nasal drip. 

In many cases, post-nasal drip can irritate the throat. If someone has allergies, the tissues in the back of their throat can also become inflamed. In combination, this causes the throat to feel sore. 

How to Tell If a Sore Throat Is From Allergies (and Not a Cold)  

Because allergy season is about the same time as cold and flu season, people might be wondering if their sore throat is from allergies or something else. After all, both allergies and illnesses like the cold have many of the same symptoms, such as congestion and headaches. 

One big clue is how gradually the symptoms appear. If someone has a cold, then they’ll probably develop a sore throat over several days. But allergies will hit suddenly — as soon as someone’s exposed to what’s making them allergic. 

If someone has hay fever (or seasonal allergies) then they’ll feel the symptoms as soon as they step outside and breathe in pollen. If they’re allergic to pet dander, they may experience a sore throat after they pet a dog or cat (or even go near one). Dust mite allergy? Spring cleaning may cause a sore throat as soon as they pull out the duster. 

While the symptoms of allergies and a cold overlap, there are some symptoms that only happen when a person gets sick. For example, a fever is usually a sign that the body is fighting off an infection, and is very unlikely to happen when someone has allergies. 

Although allergies do not cause a fever, persistent untreated allergies can lead to inflammation in the nose and throat; this can increase the chances of getting an infection, and an infection can lead to a fever. For instance, allergies can increase the chances of developing a sinus infection, which can cause a low-grade fever.

How Do You Treat a Sore Throat Differently from Allergies?

Here are the different approaches to treating sore throat from allergies: 

Medication

Although there are various allergy medications out there, two options come most recommended by doctors. 

Antihistamines are a type of medication that block histamine — a chemical messenger that sets off allergy symptoms. Antihistamine medication is available as pills, liquids, nasal sprays, or eyedrops. The best part? People usually won’t need a doctor’s prescription, and can buy them over-the-counter at their local drugstore. 

Antihistamines can be split up into two groups: first-generation and second-generation. While drowsiness isn’t the signifying factor, a lot of people identify first-generation antihistamines as those that make you sleepy while second-generation antihistamines are known not to. A common first generation antihistamine is Benadryl (diphenhydramine), while a couple of common second generation antihistamines include Claritin (loratadine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine). 

If antihistamines don’t work well, then doctors may prescribe a steroid. The steroids used for allergies are called inhaled corticosteroids and are used to help relieve inflammation in the sinuses. 

Inhaled corticosteroids are slightly more effective than antihistamines — although this depends on individual factors that vary from patient to patient. For seasonal allergies, doctors often prescribe inhaled corticosteroids in the form of a nasal spray. 

Natural Remedies 

The biological mechanisms that result in allergies can only be blocked by medication. However, people can get added allergy relief for symptoms like sore throat and beyond by using tried-and-true home remedies. 

Here are some common natural remedies that may be worth a try: 

• Gargle salt water: Gargling with warm salt water is said to help clear some of the mucus in the back of the throat. In addition, it can help to relieve some of the inflammation that causes throat pain.

• Eating honey: Honey has long been used as a natural remedy for wound healing.2 And while most people may not think of a sore throat as a wound, honey contains hundreds of beneficial compounds that can still work to soothe irritation in the throat. Unfortunately, honey-flavored throat lozenges don’t have quite the same effect, though if they contain menthol, the menthol can soothe irritation with its natural cooling effects. 

• Peppermint: This ingredient is usually an oil that’s derived from mint leaves. It has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.3 Because a sore throat is an inflamed throat, peppermint can provide some relief. That said, pure peppermint oil should never be ingested; instead, it’s better to try peppermint candy or peppermint tea.

Prevention 

When someone has seasonal allergies, it may seem impossible to prevent symptoms unless they completely lock themselves inside. After all, come springtime, pollen is everywhere, even if pollen counts seem to be low.

However, there are a few things to try to minimize exposure to common allergens when going outside. 

The best strategy? A face mask. Studies show that wearing a face mask can seriously reduce allergy symptoms by blocking pollen from getting into the sinuses.4

Another option to try is wraparound sunglasses. These completely cover all areas surrounding the eyes. This makes it hard for pollen to get through and cause itchy eyes. 

It’s also wise to avoid eating or drinking anything that’s high in histamine. Some alcoholic drinks contain large amounts of histamine, which is produced during the fermentation process. The worst culprits are wine and beer. Studies show that in people with seasonal allergies, symptoms get much worse immediately after having a drink. As such, it’s recommended to avoid alcohols high in histamine while dealing with allergies.5 

It’s also recommended to avoid fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut for this same reason. Although they are great for health, they can make allergy symptoms much worse. At the very least, it might help to cut down on consuming these types of foods and drinks around springtime. 

Takeaways

If you have a sore throat from allergies, HealthTap has affordable primary care providers who can help bring you relief — all from the comfort of your own home.

With our secure online platform, you’ll be able to meet with a doctor, get a diagnosis, and receive the treatment you need. 

Make an appointment today to get the allergy relief you deserve, sore throat soothing included.