Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCommon CausesOral Allergy SyndromeAcid RefluxMedicationsTreatmentPreventionWhen to Seek Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Common Causes
Oral Allergy Syndrome
Acid Reflux
Medications
Treatment
Prevention
When to Seek Care
Verywell / Julie Bang
Itchy throat symptoms typically occur at the same time as otherallergy symptoms, which commonly include:
Itchy throat from allergies feels different thanother medical conditions that affect your throat:
Itchy Throat Allergies or COVID?An itchy throat can be a symptom of allergies or other conditions, including COVID. If you aren’t sure whether you are experiencing an allergy or an illness, take an antihistamine (e.g., Benedryl).If an antihistamine does not resolve your itchy throat within an hour or two, it is likely not due to allergies.If you suspect COVID, take an at-home test or call your healthcare provider for guidance.
Itchy Throat Allergies or COVID?
An itchy throat can be a symptom of allergies or other conditions, including COVID. If you aren’t sure whether you are experiencing an allergy or an illness, take an antihistamine (e.g., Benedryl).If an antihistamine does not resolve your itchy throat within an hour or two, it is likely not due to allergies.If you suspect COVID, take an at-home test or call your healthcare provider for guidance.
An itchy throat can be a symptom of allergies or other conditions, including COVID. If you aren’t sure whether you are experiencing an allergy or an illness, take an antihistamine (e.g., Benedryl).
If an antihistamine does not resolve your itchy throat within an hour or two, it is likely not due to allergies.
If you suspect COVID, take an at-home test or call your healthcare provider for guidance.
Common Causes of Itchy Throat
Allergy symptoms, including an itchy throat, occur when your immune system makes antibodies to fight off harmless substances that it thinks are a threat to your body. Many common allergic reactions are linked to the antibody immunoglobulin E (IgE).
What Are Pollutants?
Oral allergy syndrome, also called pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS), is an allergic reaction that only affects the throat, lips, and mouth. It occurs when a person has an allergy to proteins that are found in certain types of pollen, along with raw vegetables and fruits, and some types of tree nuts.
Scratchy, itchy throat is one of the main symptoms of this condition, along with swelling in the tongue, lips, throat, and mouth. These symptoms appear after you’ve eaten the offending food item or been exposed to certain types of pollen.
If you have seasonal allergies and also experience these symptoms after eating these types of foods, you may have PFAS.
Food Allergies Associated With PFASThe following food allergies are associated with different types of pollen allergies:Birch:Cherry, celery, apple, hazelnut, almond,pear, peach, plum, kiwi, carrotGrass:Melons, orange, cherry, tomato, celery, peachRagweed:Melons, cucumber, zucchini, banana, sunflower seedsTo treat this condition, you’ll need to avoid eating the offending foods in their raw form.
Food Allergies Associated With PFAS
The following food allergies are associated with different types of pollen allergies:Birch:Cherry, celery, apple, hazelnut, almond,pear, peach, plum, kiwi, carrotGrass:Melons, orange, cherry, tomato, celery, peachRagweed:Melons, cucumber, zucchini, banana, sunflower seedsTo treat this condition, you’ll need to avoid eating the offending foods in their raw form.
The following food allergies are associated with different types of pollen allergies:
To treat this condition, you’ll need to avoid eating the offending foods in their raw form.
Some people with acid reflux experience throat symptoms. Acid reflux happens when stomach acid backs up from the stomach into the esophagus (food pipe).
Usually, there are other symptoms like heartburn, the taste of stomach acid, nausea, or chest pain.However, some people have “silent reflux” and may only have symptoms like hoarseness, throat clearing, or sore throat.
Common medications that cause drug allergies include certain antibiotics, anticonvulsant medications, and chemotherapy drugs.Other signs of an allergic reaction from chemotherapy medications may include swelling of the mouth or throat and trouble swallowing.
A variety of treatments are available for itchy throat, includinghome remedies. Some target your immune system, such as antihistamines, while others aim to relieve discomfort in your throat.
Most oral allergy symptoms including itchy throat will go away if the food(s) causing symptoms are avoided. It’s a good idea to consult an allergist any time you experience symptoms related to food. An allergist can determine whether your symptoms are a mild cross-reaction or could potentially lead to a medical emergency like anaphylaxis.
What to Take for Itchy Throat Allergies at NightBenadryl (diphenhydramine) is a short-acting antihistamine that causes drowsiness. This makes it a good option for treating itchy throat at night.
What to Take for Itchy Throat Allergies at Night
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is a short-acting antihistamine that causes drowsiness. This makes it a good option for treating itchy throat at night.
People with oral allergy syndrome can try to minimize or avoid symptoms:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you are taking all the preventive steps you can to avoid throat irritation, but still seem to develop an itchy throat regularly, talk to your healthcare provider. They can help you determine the cause and how to treat it.
You should also see a healthcare provider if you have:
Additionally, see a healthcare provider if you have symptoms of strep throat, including:
What Is Anaphylaxis?Allergic reactions can occasionally be life-threatening. This condition, calledanaphylaxis, requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms include:Clammy skinHives or swellingTightness of the throat or hoarse voiceFast, shallow breathingFainting or lightheadednessLow blood pressureFast heartbeatConfusionLoss of consciousnessCardiac arrest
What Is Anaphylaxis?
Allergic reactions can occasionally be life-threatening. This condition, calledanaphylaxis, requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms include:Clammy skinHives or swellingTightness of the throat or hoarse voiceFast, shallow breathingFainting or lightheadednessLow blood pressureFast heartbeatConfusionLoss of consciousnessCardiac arrest
Allergic reactions can occasionally be life-threatening. This condition, calledanaphylaxis, requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms include:
Summary
Treatments include taking an antihistamine medication and home remedies, such as gargling with salt water, a spoonful of honey, or using a humidifier.
Sometimes, an itchy throat can signal an underlying cause that requires medical attention. If you develop a fever that lasts a few days, blood in your phlegm, difficulty breathing, or any signs of strep throat, contact a healthcare provider.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Allergy symptoms.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Allergies and the immune system.Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America.Allergy facts and figures.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Air pollution and asthma.American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Pollen food allergy syndrome.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of GER & GERD.University of Michigan Health.Laryngopharyngeal reflux.Pinargote P, Guillen D, Guarderas JC.ACE inhibitors: Upper respiratory symptoms.BMJ Case Rep. 2014; 2014: bcr2014205462. doi:10.1136/bcr-2014-205462American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Drug allergies.American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy side effects.American Academy of Family Physicians.Antihistamines: understanding your OTC options.Belasco R, Edwards T, Munoz AJ, Rayo V, Buono M.The effect of hydration on urine color objectively evaluated in CIE Lab* color space.Front Nutr. 2020 Oct;7(1):576974. doi:10.3389/fnut.2020.576974Allergy & Asthma Network.Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS).Saint Luke’s.Preventing sinusitis.UCLA.When to see a doctor for a sore throat.American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Anaphylaxis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Allergy symptoms.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Allergies and the immune system.Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America.Allergy facts and figures.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Air pollution and asthma.American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Pollen food allergy syndrome.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of GER & GERD.University of Michigan Health.Laryngopharyngeal reflux.Pinargote P, Guillen D, Guarderas JC.ACE inhibitors: Upper respiratory symptoms.BMJ Case Rep. 2014; 2014: bcr2014205462. doi:10.1136/bcr-2014-205462American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Drug allergies.American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy side effects.American Academy of Family Physicians.Antihistamines: understanding your OTC options.Belasco R, Edwards T, Munoz AJ, Rayo V, Buono M.The effect of hydration on urine color objectively evaluated in CIE Lab* color space.Front Nutr. 2020 Oct;7(1):576974. doi:10.3389/fnut.2020.576974Allergy & Asthma Network.Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS).Saint Luke’s.Preventing sinusitis.UCLA.When to see a doctor for a sore throat.American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Anaphylaxis.
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Saint Luke’s.Preventing sinusitis.
UCLA.When to see a doctor for a sore throat.
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