Key takeaways:
Allergies to pollen, dust mites, or animal dander can cause a sore throat. When this happens, people often have other common allergy symptoms too.
Your symptoms — and how long they last — can provide clues to help you figure out if your sore throat is from allergies or an infection.
Symptoms like sneezing and itchy eyes suggest allergies are the cause. Fever and swollen lymph nodes suggest an infection may be the cause.
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.
Throat allergy symptoms
The symptoms of allergies and infection can overlap, but some key differences can help you tell them apart. Let’s take a look.
Allergies, virus, or strep throat symptom checklist
The chart below can help you figure out the most likely cause of your sore throat. It shows which symptoms are common with allergies, a viral infection, and strep throat (a bacterial infection).
Search and compare options
Allergies | Virus | Strep throat | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sore throat | Sometimes | Sometimes | Yes |
Fever | No | Yes | Yes |
Headache | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes |
Itchy, watery eyes | Yes | No | No |
Runny nose | Yes | Yes | No |
Stuffy nose | Yes | Yes | Sometimes |
Body aches | No | Yes | Sometimes |
Cough | Yes | Yes | Sometimes |
Sneezing | Yes | Yes | No |
White patches on throat | No | Sometimes | Yes |
Fatigue | No | Sometimes | Sometimes |
Another helpful thing to consider is when symptoms are worst. 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. A sore throat from a virus or bacterial infection usually lasts all day and night.
Allergy sore throat vs. strep throat
Strep throat can happen any time of the year, but it’s most common in the winter months. Allergy-related sore throats are more common during seasonal allergy flare-ups, which often happen in springtime and early fall.
Your symptoms can also help you figure out the difference. Strep throat is caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus pyogenes. Symptoms that are common with strep throat (but not allergies) include:
White patches on the back of your throat
Petechiae (red spots on the roof of your mouth)
Swollen lymph nodes in your neck
Fever
Nausea and vomiting
Abdominal pain
Swollen tonsils
Scarlet fever (red rash on your body)
Symptoms that happen with allergy-related sore throats, but not strep throat, include:
Runny nose
Red or watery eyes
Sneezing
Hoarse or raspy voice
Itchy throat
How do allergies cause a sore throat?
Sore throat from allergies happens when an allergen (something you’re allergic to) causes your body to release histamine. Histamine causes a cascade of reactions in your body that leads to allergy symptoms, like sneezing and runny nose. This process can also lead to a sore throat because the release of histamine leads to:
Postnasal drip: Mucus dripping down the back of your throat can be uncomfortable and even painful. This is the main way allergies lead to sore throat.
Inflammation: Swelling in your 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 also known as allergic rhinitis. This is sometimes called “hay fever” or just “allergies.” Allergic rhinitis often causes a runny nose and sneezing. It sometimes causes a sore throat, but not always. Other types of allergies — like asthma or 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:
Outdoor allergens: These include things like tree pollen, grass pollen, and ragweed.
Indoor allergens: These can include allergens like mold, dust mites, animal dander, and cockroaches.
It’s important to note that food allergies affect your throat differently than these kinds of allergens. A food allergy reaction happens fast and can cause sudden throat swelling. This can lead to itchiness and a sensation of your throat closing off. In contrast, allergic rhinitis leads to a duller discomfort that comes on much more slowly.
Can seasonal allergies cause sore throat?
Yes, seasonal allergies can cause sore throat. Seasonal allergies 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 returns during the same season each year.
How long does a sore throat from allergies last?
A sore throat from allergies can last for as long as you’re exposed to the allergen. For example, a person with seasonal allergies could have a sore throat for the entire season. 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-related sore throats and they can actually be harmful.
Home remedies for a sore throat from allergies
Home remedies can help treat sore throat from allergies. You can try to:
Suck on ice chips or popsicles.
Use a cool-mist humidifier or vaporizer in your room.
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 options 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 lower swelling and mucus in your 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 block histamine throughout your body, so they target your throat and 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 flares 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, use 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 include:
Infection: Both viruses and bacteria can cause throat pain. Viral infections include the common cold, COVID-19, and the flu. Bacterial throat infections — like strep throat — are less common than viral infections.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Often called heartburn or acid reflux, this happens when stomach acid travels back up into your esophagus. When you lie down, like when sleeping at night, the acid can travel high enough to cause pain in your throat.
Smoking: Heat and irritation reach the back of your throat when you smoke. This can cause dryness and soreness.
Air pollution: High levels of air pollution can irritate your 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.
Frequently asked questions
If you have a sore throat but otherwise don’t feel sick, your sore throat may not be caused by an infection. Possible causes may include allergies, acid reflux, air pollution, or vocal cord strain.
Any food that causes allergies can also cause throat symptoms. Common examples include peanuts, tree nuts, and sesame. Shellfish and fish are also food allergens that could cause a sore throat.
If you notice your symptoms feel more like a tingling or itching in your mouth and throat — particularly after eating raw fruits or vegetables — this could be oral allergy syndrome. This is a mild food allergy that is more common in people with seasonal allergies.
A sore throat from allergies usually feels itchier than one caused by a virus or bacteria. It might feel less painful and more like a frustrating “tickle” in the back of your throat. But everyone experiences symptoms differently. So, if you’re not sure what’s causing your sore throat, reach out to a health professional you trust.
No, a sore throat from allergies isn’t contagious. This is because the allergy isn’t caused by an infection. Your symptoms can guide you in knowing whether allergies are the cause of your throat pain or if it may be something else.
If you have a sore throat but otherwise don’t feel sick, your sore throat may not be caused by an infection. Possible causes may include allergies, acid reflux, air pollution, or vocal cord strain.
Any food that causes allergies can also cause throat symptoms. Common examples include peanuts, tree nuts, and sesame. Shellfish and fish are also food allergens that could cause a sore throat.
If you notice your symptoms feel more like a tingling or itching in your mouth and throat — particularly after eating raw fruits or vegetables — this could be oral allergy syndrome. This is a mild food allergy that is more common in people with seasonal allergies.
A sore throat from allergies usually feels itchier than one caused by a virus or bacteria. It might feel less painful and more like a frustrating “tickle” in the back of your throat. But everyone experiences symptoms differently. So, if you’re not sure what’s causing your sore throat, reach out to a health professional you trust.
No, a sore throat from allergies isn’t contagious. This is because the allergy isn’t caused by an infection. Your symptoms can guide you in knowing whether allergies are the cause of your throat pain or if it may be something else.
The bottom line
In many cases, sore throats are caused by infections like the common cold or flu. But allergies can also cause a sore throat. Identifying your symptoms can help you figure out what’s causing your sore throat. If you still aren’t sure, don’t be afraid to reach out to a health professional you trust for guidance.
Why trust our experts?
References
American College of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology. (2017). Seasonal allergies.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. (2015). How can I prevent allergic reactions and manage allergies?
Kennis, M., et al. (2022). Seasonal variations and risk factors of Streptococccus pyogenes infection: A multicenter research network study. Therapeutic Advances in Infectious Disease.
MedlinePlus. (2017). Histamine: The stuff allergies are made of.
Parmet, S., et al. (2004). Sore throat. JAMA.
Peden, D., et al. (2010). Environmental and occupational allergies. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
