I have dust/pollen allergies and often have secretions caught in my throat that don't go away. How can I prevent this from happening?

Question

It's been like this since about October. I also have a slight sore throat sometimes when I wake up in the morning, but it goes away afterwards. I think it's probably the mucus that creates this irritation? (Ps: it's not the covid, I was tested at one point) Hi, thank you so much for your reply! Oh, yes you're right about the covid, but I really don't go out of my house, so there's little chance and these are really almost year-round symptoms at my house:) Otherwise, I've never done any allergy testing as such, but I've had a prescription for reactin for several years! (I don't take it regularly, except in the summer and spring. In the winter and fall, I go as needed. It works pretty well in general! I'll look into the sprays you mention, sounds good to me. So mixing the two would work better for the runny throat? I can tolerate the runny nose, but the "stuffy" throat bothers me a bit more I will try to apply your other tips and ask my doctor about the sprays, thanks!

Marie-Laurence Gauthier · Accepted Answer

Hello! Yes, it is possible that allergies cause these symptoms. **As for covid, it should be noted that a negative test at one point does not exclude the possibility of having the disease. If you are concerned that you may have covid, it is important to isolate yourself and get retested. https://www.quebec.ca/sante/problemes-de-sante/a-z/coronavirus-2019/guide-auto-evaluation-symptomes-covid-19/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInoiY7MLH7gIVAbbICh3TbQObEAAYASAAEgIQcfD_BwE Have you ever had allergy tests to confirm your allergies to pollen and dust? If not, it would be a good idea to talk to your doctor because there are many different types of allergens (mold, pollen, pets, etc.). This will help confirm the diagnosis and you can then try to avoid the problematic allergen (see steps below). There are nasal sprays that can help with runny noses and with what you describe as a symptom, I believe this could help you. These can be prescribed by your doctor (in which case they will be covered by your drug plan) and are also available over the counter at the pharmacy (in which case they will not always be covered and the price varies between $20 and $30). If you have already had a prescription in the last five years for allergic rhinitis, the pharmacist may prescribe the same treatment after evaluating your symptoms. You can also do nasal cleansing with saline water with products like Sinus rinse or Hydrasense. Such cleansing should be done before applying the nasal spray and will help to evacuate the allergens present in the nostrils You can consult your pharmacist for advice on this subject if you wish. Taking an effective antihistamine may also be an option if you do not like the nasal spray. One antihistamine may work better for you than another, so it may take more than one to find the right one. If the one you tried doesn't work, try another one. You can come and see us for advice on this subject. There is also prescription Reactin (cetirizine) which is stronger than what is available over the counter. You can ask your doctor about it. Please note that if you are taking medication, have allergies or intolerances to medication, are planning a short-term pregnancy, are breastfeeding or have chronic health problems, check with your pharmacist before starting any treatment. Non-pharmacological measures you can try are humidity control with a dehumidifier to aim for a humidity level of about 45%, minimizing carpeted surfaces (especially in the bedroom), minimizing fabric furniture, washing sheets and pillowcases in hot water every 2 weeks at least, cleaning floors once a week, anti-dust mite mattress covers, closing windows in the summer and prioritizing air conditioning, etc. These measures depend on the type of problematic allergen. Finally, if all these measures do not work, I advise you to consult your doctor again, who could prescribe you something else, such as the drug Singulair, to relieve your symptoms or validate the diagnosis. I hope this is helpful to you, Marie-Laurence Gauthier, pharmacist. It makes me happy :)