Do allergies cause sore throat?

Sore throat is a classic symptom of viral infections, such as the common cold and flu. These types of sore throats typically clear up on their own. However, sore throat is also common in bacterial infections, like strep throat However, sore throats caused by bacterial infections may require antibiotics to prevent the bacteria from spreading, notes the Mayo Clinic.

While viruses from infections can cause a sore throat, it can also be a symptom of allergies. Board-certified allergists weighed in on the relationship between allergies and sore throat, and the consensus was a resounding yes—allergies can cause sore throat.

Sore throat from allergies

Both seasonal and year-round allergies (aka allergic rhinitis or hay fever) can cause sore throats, says Jenna Podjasek, MD, a board-certified allergist based in Chicago. You may be surprised to find that allergic sore throats don’t always begin in the throat but sometimes in the nose.

Many allergy symptoms start in the nasal passages and sinuses, such as sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion. Allergies can also cause postnasal drip, which affects not only the nose but also the throat. “Postnasal drip occurs when mucus accumulates and drips down the back of the throat, which can cause a sore or irritated throat,” Dr. Podjasek explains. The soreness and irritation are a result of swelling in the throat from postnasal drip, which is a common cause of sore throat.

Certain allergens can also trigger a sore throat. When you come into contact with an allergen, the immune system may mistake it for a harmful substance. An overreactive immune system then creates chemicals called histamines, which trigger symptoms of allergies like excess mucus, swelling, and itchiness, according to the National Library of Medicine. Together, these symptoms can contribute to an itchy, scratchy throat or even swelling in the back of the throat.

Many substances can cause an allergic reaction, but common allergens associated with a sore throat are those that can be inhaled through the nasal passages. “Airborne allergens that may cause postnasal drip and sore throat include pollens, dust mites, molds, and pet dander,” says Susanna Silverman, MD, a board-certified allergist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York, New York.

How to know if a sore throat is from allergies

With so many potential causes of sore throat, it can be difficult to know if the underlying cause is due to allergies or a more serious infection, like strep throat. “Differentiating between a sore throat caused by allergies and one caused by an infection can be challenging,” says Patrick DeMarco, MD, an allergist and founding physician of Allergy & Asthma Specialists of North Florida. It mainly comes down to your symptoms, he says.

Allergies can certainly cause sore throats, particularly if you notice a scratchy throat or tickling sensation in the back of your throat. “Allergic sore throats are often accompanied by other common allergy symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion, and itchy eyes,” Dr. DeMarco says.

Infections, on the other hand, may present with different symptoms that don’t usually overlap with symptoms of allergies. “Additional symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, white patches on the tonsils, and body aches can signal an infection,” notes Dr. DeMarco. Symptoms from an infection also tend to arise quickly, while allergies can be ongoing.

If you’re unsure if your sore throat is caused by allergies or infection, check with your healthcare provider. They can provide an accurate diagnosis and also prescribe the appropriate treatment.

How long does a sore throat from allergies last?

A sore throat from allergies can last as little as a few days, but according to Dr. Silverman, it can also last for weeks or months. The duration depends on whether you have seasonal or year-round allergies and how long you’re exposed to the allergen triggering your symptoms without avoiding it or seeking treatment.

If you’re someone with seasonal allergies, you know that they can flare up at different times of the year. “Some allergens are present for shorter periods, such as tree pollen in early spring and ragweed pollen in late summer and early fall,” Dr. Silverman explains. “Because others are present year-round, such as pet dander and dust mites, they may cause chronic postnasal drip and sore throat.” Essentially, a sore throat could persist as long as you’re exposed to the allergen triggering your symptoms.

Fortunately, there are a few ways to get relief at home or with the help of a healthcare provider. With the right treatment, you may notice improvements in as little as a few days, says Dr. DeMarco.

How to relieve an itchy throat from allergies

When you’ve identified allergies as the root cause of your sore throat, there are many over-the-counter (OTC) treatments to help alleviate your symptoms:

• Intranasal corticosteroid spray: Steroid nasal sprays are considered the gold standard treatment for allergies. They help reduce inflammation and improve nasal symptoms like stuffy nose, sneezing, congestion, and postnasal drip. Flonase (fluticasone propionate) and Nasacort (triamcinolone) are available OTC and can be used every day. However, there are other nasal sprays available with a prescription.
• Decongestants: Postnasal drip from nasal congestion is a common cause of sore throat in those with allergies. Decongestants relieve nasal congestion, which may reduce excess mucus from dripping down the back of the throat. Afrin (oxymetazoline), Neo-Synephrine (phenylephrine), and Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) are all available OTC without a prescription.
• Nasal sinus rinses: If postnasal drip is causing your sore throat, Dr. Podjasek recommends a salt water rinse, such as NeilMed or Neti Pot. These are also helpful in reducing mucus in the nose, which then prevents excess mucus that leads to postnasal drip, causing your sore throat.
• Non-drowsy antihistamines: Histamines cause allergies, but antihistamines can block their effects. Claritin (loratadine), Zyrtec (cetirizine), and Allegra (fexofenadine) are among the most common options. These oral allergy medications treat allergy and hay fever symptoms like runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, and itching, which may, in turn, improve a sore throat. Non-drowsy antihistamines like these allergy medications can work in as little as 30 minutes.
• Throat lozenges or sprays: Some treatments can take a couple of hours to a few days to start working, but throat lozenges and sprays can soothe discomfort from a sore throat quickly, Dr. DeMarco says.

For some, additional treatments may be necessary. “Visiting an allergist to discuss allergy testing and long-term treatment options can be helpful for those who do not find enough relief from OTC medications and environmental measures,” Dr. Silverman says.

One of the better long-term forms of allergy treatment and prevention is immunotherapy, Dr. Podjasek says. This can involve allergy shots or sublingual forms that go under the tongue. At first, an allergist may inject you with allergy shots that expose your immune system to small quantities of an allergen for several months. This is the buildup phase, Dr. Podjasek explains, which is then followed by a maintenance period where you will receive monthly injections for several years. It’s a long-term strategy, but it can help prevent allergy symptoms over time.

In addition to allergy shots, prescription allergy medications are available at the recommendation of your healthcare provider.

How to prevent a sore throat from allergies

“The best allergy treatment is prevention,” Dr. Podjasek says. “The mainstay of allergy treatment is avoidance of the allergen.” Avoidance can be challenging, and it’s not always possible to avoid allergens entirely. However, there are steps you can take to significantly reduce your exposure, thereby improving your allergy symptoms, such as sore throat caused by postnasal drip.

Implement the following home remedies into your lifestyle to manage overall allergies and prevent a sore throat caused by allergies:

• Avoid outdoor activities and keep windows closed during peak pollen season
• Clean and vacuum your home regularly to reduce dust and pet dander
• Drink plenty of water
• During allergy season, take a shower and change your clothes when you get home to remove pollen
• Maintain good indoor air quality with an allergy-friendly filter for your HVAC system
• Sleep on an allergen-proof mattress and pillow covers
• Use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in your vacuum and air purifier to remove airborne particles like dust, pollen, and mold

If your allergies don’t seem to go away, don’t give up. Work with your healthcare team until you find the combination of strategies and treatments that work for you.