Allergic rhinitis and an itchy throat
The mucous membranes that line the inside of the nose normally work as a filter to stop any harmful particles from entering the body. However, when the body comes into contact with allergens like dust mites or mould spores, the immune system releases histamine and this system in the nose begins to work less effectively.
That’s because histamine can cause swelling in areas all over the body, including in the nasal passages. Therefore, not only does this mean that the mucous membranes can’t filter air as effectively as normal, it also restricts air flow through the nasal passages and as a result, congestion can become problematic.
So, with the nose unable to filter air you become reliant on the mouth to breathe which unfortunately means that allergens have direct access to your body. They land at the back of the throat and irritate the sensitive tissues there.
How to tell if allergic rhinitis is causing itchy throat
There are, of course, many things that can cause an itchy throat but, when it’s the result of allergic rhinitis, here are a few distinctive things about the issue.
Frequency - if an itchy throat is a regular problem for you, it may indicate that allergic rhinitis is the cause.
Other symptoms – an itchy throat that’s the result of allergic rhinitis is usually accompanied by other troublesome symptoms such as congestion, watery eyes and sneezing.
When – pollen is the biggest causes of allergic rhinitis so if your symptoms get worse in the spring and summer months when plants begin to pollinate, this could once again indicate allergic rhinitis is the problem.
What can you do?
Avoid histamine – there are many food and drinks that are high in histamine such as smoked meat, milk-based products, food with artificial colouring, alcohol and caffeine. These will only exacerbate any allergic rhinitis symptoms so are best avoided when you have an outbreak of the condition.
Drink warm lemon and honey – this a traditional cold and flu remedy but it works well for an itchy throat too. The warm liquid helps to soothe any irritation whilst the lemon and honey gives it a light, refreshing taste as well.
Stay hydrated – water keeps the back of the throat moist to help prevent any irritation. However, it also thins mucus to prevent any build-up of the substance that may cause itchiness.
How to avoid allergens
Keeping out of the way of allergens may again help to alleviate your symptoms. However, this can be a difficult task so to help you out, here are a few tips.
Animal dander – when you have pets regular cleaning and pet-free zones within your home will help your to avoid animal dander.
Dust mites – a dehumidifier makes conditions less favourable for dust mites so investing in one of these could help you stay clear of this allergen.
Mould spores – in order to keep clear of mould it’s important to prevent it from building up in your home in the first. To do this you should regularly open windows and doors in your home to ensure fresh air circulates.
Pollen – to avoid pollen you should stay indoors when counts are high and venture out when levels are lower. You can keep an eye on your local pollen count through our website.
Herbal remedies
Echinaforce Hot Drink – when busy fighting off allergens, the immune system is put under a great deal of strain. Therefore, as Echinacea helps support the immune system it can beneficial to take some at this time. The Echinaforce Hot Drink is particularly useful as not only does it help the immune system, if your throat is itchy the warm liquid soothes irritation to provide you with some relief.
Pollinosan Hayfever Tablets – these can be used to address allergic rhinitis symptoms that may accompany an itchy throat such as congestion and watery eyes. The tablets are made from seven tropical herbs thus making them non-drowsy but effective!
Pollinosan Nasal Spray – as congestion can be the reason for your itchy throat, addressing this issue might provide you with some relief from the irritation. This spray is a good option for this as it cleanses the nose of allergens and restores fluid to make the nose feel more comfortable.
Conventional treatments
Anti-histamines – these block the release of histamine so help to ease symptoms that may come about because of the release of this chemical.
Looking for a solution to curb those hayfever symptoms such as itchy eyes, constant sneezing and congestion, then look no further than A.Vogel’s Pollinosan Hayfever tablets.
