Can Allergies Cause a Sore Throat?

You know that uneasy feeling when you notice the first signs of a sore throat? Those early symptoms may leave you wondering if you’re getting sick with the cold or flu. But sometimes a sore throat is a sign of allergies, not an infection. It’s common to mistake one for the other. But there are some ways to tell if allergies are causing your sore throat (and not an infection). Knowing the differences can help you know what to expect and how to find relief.

How do allergies cause a sore throat?

Sore throat from allergies happens because an allergen (something you’re allergic to) causes the body to release histamine. Histamine causes a cascade of reactions in the body, which create allergy symptoms, like sneezing and runny nose. This can also lead to a sore throat because the release of histamine leads to: 

• Postnasal drip: Feeling mucus drip down the back of your throat can be uncomfortable and even painful. This is the main way allergies lead to sore throat.

• Inflammation: Inflammation in the throat can lead to pain and discomfort.

• Itchiness: A sore throat from allergies tends to be itchier than a sore throat caused by infection.

Types of allergies that can cause a sore throat

The type of allergy that causes a sore throat is known as allergic rhinitis. This is sometimes called “hay fever” or just “allergies.” Allergic rhinitis often causes runny nose and sneezing. It sometimes, but not always, causes sore throat, too. Other types of allergies — like asthma and eczema — don’t cause a sore throat.

Common allergens that can cause a sore throat 

Common allergens that cause sore throat can be found in nature or in your home. The two main types of allergens include:

1. Outdoor allergens: These include things like tree pollen, grass pollen, or ragweed. 

2. Indoor allergens: These can include allergens like mold, dust mites, animal dander, and cockroaches.

Note that food allergies affect the throat differently than these kinds of allergens. An allergic reaction to food happens fast and can cause sudden swelling of the throat. This can lead to itchiness and a sensation of the throat closing off. But allergic rhinitis leads to a duller discomfort that comes on slowly. 

Can seasonal allergies cause sore throat?

Yes, seasonal allergies can cause sore throat. Seasonal allergies are allergies that flare up at a certain time of year in response to outdoor allergens, like grass or pollen. For example, tree pollen allergies tend to flare up in the springtime, and ragweed allergies cause more trouble in late summer and fall. Seasonal allergies can lead to a sore or itchy throat that gets worse every year during a certain season. 

Throat allergy symptoms

The symptoms of allergies and respiratory illness can overlap, but key differences can help you tell them apart. Let’s take a look.

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Allergies, virus, or strep throat symptom checklist

The chart below can help you figure out the most likely cause of your sore throat. Review which symptoms are common if you have allergies, a virus, or strep throat. 

Another helpful thing to consider is which time of day you notice your symptoms the most. If you’re allergic to pollen, your sore throat might be worse after being outside. If you’re allergic to indoor allergens, like dust, your symptoms might be worse in the morning after you’ve been indoors all night. The sore throat from a virus or bacterial infection is more likely to persist all day and night. 

Allergy sore throat vs. strep throat

Strep throat can happen any time of the year, though it’s most common in the “high season” of December through April. Allergy sore throat is more common during seasonal allergy flare-ups, which often happen in springtime and early fall. 

Your symptoms can also help you figure out if you have strep throat or allergies. Strep throat is caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus pyogenes. Symptoms of strep throat that aren’t typically seen with allergies include:

• White patches on the back of the throat

• Petechiae (red spots on the palate in the mouth)

• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

• Fever

• Nausea and vomiting

• Abdominal pain

• Swollen tonsils

• Scarlet fever (red rash on the body)

Symptoms that happen with allergy sore throats, but not strep throat; include:

• Runny nose

• Red or watery eyes

• Sneezing

• Hoarse or raspy voice

• Itchy throat

How long does a sore throat from allergies last?

A sore throat from allergies can last for as long as a person is exposed to the allergen. And a person with seasonal allergies could have a sore throat for the entire season. So, in some cases, an allergic sore throat can last for weeks or months. But you don’t have to suffer that long. There are treatments to help you feel more comfortable.

How to treat sore throat from allergies

Sore throats from allergies can be bothersome, but they’re usually manageable with simple home remedies or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Antibiotics are never needed for allergy sore throats, and they can actually be harmful.

Home remedies can help treat sore throat from allergies. You could:

• Suck on ice chips or Popsicles.

• Use a cool mist humidifier or vaporizer in your room.

• Gargle with saltwater. 

• Drink warm tea or broth.

• Get plenty of fluids.

• Use honey for sore throats (for adults and kids older than 1 year).

• Try throat lozenges (for adults and kids older than 4 years).

OTC treatments for a sore throat from allergies

If home remedies aren’t cutting it, talk to a healthcare professional you trust. You might benefit from OTC medications. 

OTC meds that may help relieve sore throat from allergies include: 

• Pain relievers: Medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can provide temporary relief from pain.

• Steroid nasal sprays: These work to lower swelling and mucus in the nose, which can decrease post-nasal drip. Examples include Flonase Allergy Relief (fluticasone propionate), Nasonex 24HR Allergy (mometasone), and Rhinocort Allergy (budesonide)

• Antihistamine nasal sprays: These work by blocking the histamine that causes the itchy throat and watery eyes. The most common type is Astepro (azelastine).

• Oral antihistamines: These medications work to block histamine throughout the body, so they target the throat as well as the nose. These include Allegra (fexofenadine), Zyrtec (cetirizine), and Claritin (loratadine).

How to prevent a sore throat from allergies

The best way to prevent sore throat from allergies is to avoid allergy attacks to begin with. Once allergies start, postnasal drip and inflammation may irritate your throat.

There are some ways to prevent allergy flare-ups and the sore throat that comes along with them. You can: 

• Avoid known allergens when possible.

• If you can’t avoid allergens, consider an air purifier in your home. 

• Ventilate indoor areas. 

• Wash bedding and pillows in hot water when possible. 

• Use allergy covers on pillows and mattresses.

• Keep mold, dust mites, cockroaches, and dander under control in your home. 

• Take your allergy medications as directed. 

• Keep a diary of things that set off your allergies. 

• Shower after being outdoors during pollen season.

What are other possible causes of a sore throat?

Most sore throats aren’t due to allergies. There are many different causes of a sore throat. The most common causes include:

• Infection: Both viruses and bacteria can cause throat pain. Viral infections that cause a sore throat include the common cold, COVID, and the flu. Bacterial throat infections — like strep throat — are less common than viral infections.

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): This is more commonly referred to as heartburn or acid reflux. It happens when acid from the stomach travels up into the esophagus. When someone is lying down (like when sleeping at night), the acid can travel high enough to cause pain in their throat.

• Smoking: Heat and irritation reach the back of the throat when a person smokes. This can cause dryness and soreness.

• Air pollution: High levels of pollution in the air can irritate the throat and cause sore throat symptoms.

• Muscle strain: Overusing your vocal cords — for example, yelling more than usual — can cause voice hoarseness along with a painful sore throat.

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Written by:

Frank Schwalbe, MD

Frank Schwalbe, MD, is an assistant professor of anesthesiology at the Yale School of Medicine. He has practiced anesthesiology for 30 years.

Edited by:

Alex Eastman, PhD, RN

Alex Eastman, PhD, RN, is a California-based registered nurse and staff medical editor at GoodRx, where he focuses on clinical updates and Latino health.

Reviewed by:

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP, has more than 15 years of experience as an attending pediatrician in a variety of clinical settings. She has worked in a large academic center in an urban city, a small community hospital, a private practice, and an urgent care clinic.

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