These days when you get a cough, your first thought might be COVID-19. Or perhaps you assume you have a cold. While both these and other conditions may cause a cough, one cause you might not have thought of is allergies.
If you have a dry persistent cough that has lasted longer than three weeks, it’s very possible that allergies may be the culprit.
What Causes an Allergy Cough?
Allergy coughs are typically caused by swelling or irritation of the airways. Some allergy triggers that might be more likely to cause a cough include:
- Seasonal pollen
- Mold spores
- Pet dander, urine, or saliva
- Dust mites
Signs Your Cough is Due to Allergies
Since a cough can be caused by so many things, from a respiratory illness to acid reflux, it’s helpful to know what other signs might accompany a cough caused by allergies.
If you have other typical allergy symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes and a runny nose, there’s a better chance your cough is allergy-related. However, if you have a fever, body aches or a loss of taste or smell, your cough more likely has another cause. The only way to know for sure is to make an appointment with your doctor to get evaluated.
Another sign you might have an allergy cough is that you experience symptoms more frequently during certain seasons or when in particular environments, like when you’re taking a walk through the Sea Pines Forest Preserve.
What to Do
There are several ways to help treat and prevent allergy coughs.
- Avoid your triggers. If you aren’t sure what allergen you are reacting to, visit an allergist. They will perform skin prick and/or blood tests to identify what you are reacting to, which will help you avoid exposure when possible.
- Clean and vacuum your home regularly.
- Use over-the-counter (OTC) medicines like antihistamines, nasal sprays, and decongestants, which can help reduce inflammation and mucus production that can lead to a cough.
- Use a humidifier or steam to help clear congestion and soothe throat irritation.
- Get an air purifier to reduce the number of allergens and irritants in your home or office space.
- If OTC options aren’t helping, prescription nasal sprays and antihistamines can help alleviate an allergic cough. In certain cases, an inhaler might be prescribed as well.
- Ask your allergist if immunotherapy might be right for you.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment with an expert allergist, contact Charleston ENT & Allergy today.