Allergic pharyngitis symptoms and treatment

28.07.2017
Allergic pharyngitis is a disease that affects the pharynx, or rather the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract.

The development of allergic pharyngitis occurs due to interaction with allergens and occurs together with allergic rhinitis.

Allergic pharyngitis occurs in people of all ages, but young people who live in urban areas and inhale polluted air along with harmful substances are often susceptible to the disease.

The disease is severe and difficult to correct; the performance and quality of life of the patient deteriorates. It is important to identify and begin to treat the disease in the early stages.

Allergic pharyngitis is a difficult to tolerate illness, so treatment should be started at the earliest stages

Causes of allergic pharyngitis

Allergic pharyngitis is observed in people living in regions with cold climates. The disease occurs as a reaction of the immune system to the penetration of pathogenic organisms and allergens into the body.

Irritants for the onset of illness can be varied and are individual for each person.

The following substances can act as a provocateur of allergic pharyngitis:

dust in the apartment and on the street;
pollen of various plants;
car exhaust gases;
animal hair;
medications;
tobacco smoke;
chemicals and cosmetics;
food products.

Allergic pharyngitis occurs in young, able-bodied people who work in hazardous industries involving chemicals.

Cold climates that harbor varieties of bacteria and infections are one of the common causes of allergic pharyngitis.

The main cause of the disease is weakened human immunity.

Causes

Frequent diagnosis of an allergic form is directly related to the deterioration of the environmental situation, the degree of environmental pollution, and the emergence of new allergens. Residents of large cities, industrial areas, cold regions, and workers in hazardous industries are especially susceptible to the disease. In addition, it has been revealed that allergic pharyngitis occurs more often in children than in adults.

The development of the disease is promoted by:

weak immunity;
imbalance of metabolic processes;
frequent colds;
malfunction of the circulatory system;
inflammatory processes on the mucous membrane of the throat;
hypothermia.

Since pathology is the body’s reaction to exposure to any particles, you should know the main irritants that provoke the development of allergies:

traffic fumes;
house and street dust;
varnishes, paints;
cosmetics, especially sprays;
harmful emissions in production;
cigarette smoke from both active and passive smoking;
food;
plant pollen;
animal hair;
some medications.

And certain types of bacteria and viruses can also contribute to the development of pharyngitis, but their influence will not be infectious in nature.

Development of allergic pharyngitis

There are a number of factors that provoke the development of allergic pharyngitis:

past viral diseases;
impaired blood circulation;
the presence of inflammatory processes;
chronic diseases of the nasopharynx and oral cavity;
long stay in the cold;
genetic predisposition.

An important factor influencing the development of allergic pharyngitis is a weakened immune system. It is necessary to strengthen it and lead a healthy lifestyle, which will allow the body to better cope with any ailments, including pharyngitis.

Diagnosis and treatment of allergic inflammation of the pharynx

An ENT doctor can identify pharyngitis after a thorough interview and examination of the patient. Sometimes, especially in the chronic course of the disease, pharyngoscopy is necessary. Treatment should be prescribed by an allergist or, for adults, a general practitioner, and for children, a pediatrician. When receiving treatment from several specialists at once, you can increase the effectiveness of therapy and the speed of recovery. Before treating allergic pharyngitis, the causes that caused the reaction should be eliminated (get rid of bad habits, change jobs). It is necessary to remove the plaque that has formed on the mucous membrane of the throat and “feed” the immune system. Pharyngitis in adults and children can be treated with:

folk and traditional medicine;
physiotherapeutic procedures;
warming up the throat;
hypoallergenic diet;
antibiotic therapy.

According to the data obtained, treatment of chronic and acute pharyngitis with antibacterial drugs reduces the likelihood of developing rheumatism by 80% and other complications (abscess, otitis media). As a rule, penicillin antibiotics are prescribed; sometimes preference is given to macrolides, cephalosporins and lincosamides. If, 3 days after using antibacterial agents, manifestations of the disease remain, then the treatment is considered ineffective. The specialist must decide on another treatment. You cannot reduce the course of these medications. Antihistamines (Claritin, Cetrin, Zyrtec, Fenistil) are prescribed at the discretion of the doctor. It is not recommended to use first-generation drugs because they increase the viscosity of sputum. It is imperative to get rid of foci of chronic infection in the orgasm, for example, caries. Inhalation and rinsing with decoctions of calendula, sage, mint, eucalyptus, chamomile and hop or pine cones are considered effective symptomatic treatment that is safe for children. Procedures should be carried out regularly 3 to 6 times a day. For cooking you need to take 2 tbsp. herbs and boil it in 200 ml of water. Bee products are not used because they are very allergenic. Iodine-containing drugs are also excluded. If you have allergic pharyngitis, you should definitely adhere to a certain diet. It is recommended to exclude seafood, mushrooms, honey, smoked meats, whole milk, canned foods, eggs, and citrus fruits from the diet. You should also remove alcohol and carbonated drinks, red and sour fruits, vegetables, chocolate, and grains from your diet. After normalization of the condition, you can switch to your usual diet. To reduce irritation of the pharynx, it is necessary to avoid irritating, salty, spicy, rough foods, hot and cold foods. The diet should be dominated by greens, cereals, cucumbers, zucchini, green fruits, lean meat and dairy products. Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiseptic and antibacterial agents are used for local treatment. Gargling with hexoral solution, isotonic solution, chlorhexidine, furatsilin, miramistin, rotokan and potassium permanganate, iodine, hydrogen peroxide or salt diluted in a glass of water can help eliminate soreness and dryness in the throat. It is recommended to lubricate the throat with collargol, protargol or a solution of silver nitrate. In complex therapy, all patients are prescribed sprays (Cameton, Camphomen, Decathylene, Ingalipt, Stopangin) and lozenges (Faryngosept, Ajisept, Septolete, Strepsils, Salvia). Cytovir-3, Kagocel, Arbidol, Gripferon and Aflubin help speed up recovery and increase the immune response. The formation of local specific immunity is promoted by interferon, imudon, lysobact and IRS-19. In some cases, surgical treatment is indicated:

electrocoagulation;
laser coagulation;
galvanotherapy;
cryotherapy;
cauterization with silver nitrate and vagotil.

We recommend reading: Homeopathy medicine for allergies. Treatment of allergies with homeopathy in adults and children

In complex advanced forms of the disease, novocaine blockades are performed using vitreous, aloe and traumeel. Sometimes physiotherapy is recommended: electrophoresis, magnetic and laser therapy, ultraviolet irradiation, inductometry, mud or paraffin applications. Climatic treatment plays an important role; the sea coast and mountainous areas are ideal for this.

Symptoms of allergic pharyngitis

Allergic pharyngitis, symptoms similar to those of a viral infection, does not occur in isolation.

But it is difficult to confuse them with the symptoms of other diseases, because the symptoms of allergic pharyngitis are specific and occur upon contact with an irritant.

The clinical picture is the same, regardless of age category; in children the symptoms are more pronounced than in adults.

The mucous membrane of the sinuses and eyes is often affected, resulting in the manifestation of conjunctivitis.

At the beginning of the disease, a sore throat begins to be felt, which occurs as a result of the allergen getting into the mucous membrane of the pharynx.

The development of pharyngitis occurs immediately after contact with an allergen

The main signs of allergic pharyngitis include:

pain in the throat, burning sensation, heat;
sensation of a foreign body in the throat;
severe attacks of dry cough, which interferes with the normal swallowing process;
acute painful sensations when swallowing and eating food;
severe runny nose or nasal congestion;
change in voice timbre;
difficulty breathing, attacks of suffocation may occur;
sneezing appears;
itching occurs in the nose, throat or eyes;
periodic headaches, disturbed sleep, depressed state.

Children with pharyngitis of allergic etiology may experience ear pain and itching. In some cases, allergic pharyngitis occurs with conjunctivitis, which is expressed in tearing, redness of the eyes, and itching.

Body temperature does not change, but in some cases there is a slight increase.

Allergic pharyngitis can provoke the parallel development of other diseases

Symptoms and most specific signs of the disease

Before you begin treatment for allergic pharyngitis, it is necessary to identify its signs. It can be either an independent reaction or part of a complex allergic pathological process. The disease has specific symptoms that make it possible to distinguish it from other diseases in the oral cavity. In adults, manifestations are less pronounced than in children, but the clinical symptoms are predominantly similar and do not vary depending on age. All signs of this form of pharyngitis are associated with swelling of the mucous membrane of the larynx and uvula. Symptoms of allergic pharyngitis:

Tingling sensation in the larynx.
Feeling of a foreign element in the throat.
Painful sensations.
Coughing attacks.
Presence of viscous mucus in the throat.
Redness and swelling of the posterior wall of the larynx.
Occasional congestion, difficulty breathing through the nose.
Intense flow of mucus.
Sneezing.
Itching in the eyes, throat, nasal cavity.
Combination of exacerbation of the disease with conjunctivitis. At this time, the eyes may become red, itchy, and watery eyes become stronger.
Sleep is disturbed, pain in the head, malaise, and irritability occur.

The allergic form of pharyngitis very rarely occurs in isolation. Often the nasal mucosa is involved in the pathology. This condition is called “allergic nasopharyngitis.” The complexity of the pathology is influenced by the body’s personal susceptibility to various types of allergens, general well-being, and environmental factors (staying in an unfavorable region, harmful working conditions at work). The danger of an allergic inflammatory process of the laryngeal mucosa suggests that it leads to the formation of chronic infectious foci with sinusitis, otitis, tonsillitis, etc.

If you have a chronic form of allergic pharyngitis, which is caused by regular contact with allergens (for example, being in a dry, dusty room or working in hazardous conditions in an enterprise), a person already has painful sensations and a sore throat in the morning. The voice may be hoarse, hoarse, and nasal congestion is often observed.

Symptoms and treatment are interrelated, and based on them, the doctor chooses an effective therapeutic technique. The allergic form of pharyngitis in children is generally more complicated than in adults. The manifestations of the pathology are pronounced; there are often cases of the inflammatory process spreading to the laryngeal mucosa of children.

The danger of allergic pharyngitis

After the first symptoms appear, it is necessary to contact an otolaryngologist so that the disease does not develop into a chronic form, which often occurs with constant contact with the source of an allergic reaction.

The symptoms of allergic pharyngitis in chronic form intensify and there is a high probability of other nasopharyngeal and ear diseases.

The danger of the chronic form of this disease is that there is a risk of swelling of the larynx, which in some cases leads to suffocation, especially in children.

The greatest threat to a patient with pharyngitis is the chronic form when the exposure of the allergen to the pharynx continues.

With a prolonged course of the disease, allergic pharyngitis turns into allergic laryngitis, which weakens the immune system and there is a high probability of the disease developing into catarrhal pharyngitis.

This form of respiratory disease leads to the development of diseases of various internal organs. From all this we can conclude that allergic pharyngitis is a serious disease that needs to be treated quickly.

Timely diagnosis and treatment of allergic pharyngitis will prevent the occurrence of terrible consequences in the form of otitis media, rheumatism and renal pathologies.

Diagnosis of the disease is carried out by an ENT specialist, but only after a preliminary examination by a therapist and consultation with an allergist.

Diagnosis of the disease

If signs of the disease appear, it is recommended to consult a general practitioner, pediatrician, general practitioner, or otolaryngologist.

When examining the pharyngeal mucosa, its hyperemia (redness), swelling is revealed, and the granularity of the posterior pharyngeal wall can be determined.

Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity and vocal cords may also be present. An otolaryngologist performs rhinoscopy and laryngoscopy.

Important to know: Which antibiotics are best to take for pharyngitis?

If the doctor suspects an allergic etiology of pharyngitis, the patient is referred for a consultation with an allergist. The allergist conducts a series of studies to identify the allergic nature of pharyngitis.

Allergy skin testing is effective and allows one to determine the exact cause of the allergy.

In a general blood test, there may be an increase in the number of eosinophils (cells responsible for allergies); with the addition of bacterial inflammation, leukocytes (inflammatory cells) and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate increase.

A characteristic sign is an increase in the amount of immunoglobulin E in the blood serum.

Diagnosis of allergic pharyngitis

Diagnosis of allergic pharyngitis is carried out by an ENT specialist and an allergist, but only after examination by a therapist. The first step is to examine and interview the patient, examine the clinical picture of the disease and analyze the patient’s medical history.

The next important step is to perform a pharyngoscopy, which allows the doctor to examine the back of the throat.

An important point in diagnosing allergic pharyngitis is identifying the type of allergen that affects the mucous membrane of the throat. For this purpose, a number of studies are carried out, skin tests are prescribed, thanks to which the cause of the disease can be established.

A characteristic sign indicating the presence of a disease such as allergic pharyngitis is an excess level of immunoglobulin E in the blood.

How is allergic pharyngitis treated?

The painful condition should not be ignored. Seeing a doctor will help in quickly identifying the disease and prescribing the correct treatment. Allergic pharyngitis is first identified by the following measures:

External examination using a pharyngoscope.
Taking blood tests.
Passing allergy tests.

The doctor prescribes individual treatment, based primarily on eliminating the allergen that provokes the disease from the environment. The goal of treatment is to cleanse the body and rid a person of the causes of the disease, as well as reduce the sensitivity of the immune system.

Antibiotics may be prescribed in the form of macrolides, Amoxicillin, cephalosporins and Bicillin. Additionally, antihistamines are prescribed to relieve irritation and swelling, as well as enterosorbents.

The use of herbal remedies (in the absence of allergies to plants) is popular to relieve inflammation and increase immune protection. Herbal medicine means are:

A decoction of viburnum, oak and willow bark.
Inhalations based on calendula, chamomile, sage, eucalyptus. You can gargle with this decoction.
Tincture of raspberries, St. John's wort, mint.
A decoction of birch and raspberry leaves.
Inhalations based on hops and pine cones.
Blueberries and blackberries.
Propolis infusion for rinsing and inhalation.

Gargling is effective in treating allergic pharyngitis. Here you can use not only herbs, but also a solution of baking soda or warm milk.

Rinse with Chlorhexidine, Aquirin, Miramistin, Rotokan, hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate, boric acid.
Resorption of tablets Travisil, Lizobakt, Sage.
Irrigation of the throat with Ingalipt and Hexoral.

It is recommended to follow a strict diet, especially if you are allergic to a certain food product. Dishes should be soft, warm and tender to reduce irritation to the throat. Excluded from the diet:

Mushrooms.
Smoked meats.
Sour food.
Conservation.
Red vegetables and fruits.
Cereals.
Citrus.
Spicy and salty foods.
Seafood and dairy products.
Eggs.
Chocolate.
Legumes.
Honey.

You should give up smoking and alcohol. It is recommended to drink as much fluid as possible. In the room where the allergy sufferer is located, the temperature regime should be maintained and the air humidified.

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Methods for treating allergic pharyngitis

Immediately after diagnosing allergic pharyngitis, you need to begin comprehensive treatment of the disease. This will help quickly alleviate the patient’s condition, but also prevent the development of inflammation and serious consequences.

The main thing in effective treatment of the disease is the identification and elimination of the affecting allergen. Depending on the symptoms and the appropriate treatment, all medications are selected individually.

When the irritant is identified and eliminated, drug treatment and immunotherapy are prescribed. Medications are mandatory if it is impossible to eliminate contact with the allergen. And strengthening the immune system will speed up recovery and reduce the likelihood of relapses.

Treatment of pharyngitis is carried out both with medication and with the help of physiotherapy

Treatment

Treatment of allergic pharyngitis in adults primarily involves avoiding contact with the allergen and promptly removing it from the body.

Drug treatment consists of prescribing several groups of drugs:

Second generation antihistamines for relieving basophil degranulation (Parlazin, Zyrtec, Kestin, Simprex, Claritin).
Third generation antihistamines (Telfast, Erius).
Antiallergic anti-inflammatory sprays (Intal).
Mucolytics for thinning mucus (Rinofluimucil, Bromhexine, Acetylcysteine, Ambroxol).
Local vasoconstrictors and decongestants (Vibrocil, Polidexa, xylometazoline and phenylephrine preparations).
Hormonal agents in the form of nasal sprays (Nasobek, Aerobid, Nasonex, Avamis, Flixonase).
Tablet and injectable forms of corticosteroids (Kenalog, Polcortolon, Prednisolone, Dexamethasone).

The choice of drugs, especially in the case of the first incident, is made by the attending physician.

Treatment of allergic pharyngitis in adults follows the principles:

Mild forms of the disease are treated with antihistamines and vasoconstrictors.
Treatment with hormonal medications is started only in cases of moderate to severe disease.

Many patients are interested in how to treat allergic pharyngitis in the off-season, when there are no provoking factors, but swelling of the nasopharyngeal mucosa is present. In such situations, immunomodulators, physiotherapeutic procedures, and acupuncture will be useful.

Allergic type of inflammation of the pharynx can be treated in the early stages of the disease using allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT). The principle of the method is to produce a drug in the laboratory to which a person develops an allergy. The patient is administered this drug for several days, which leads to the suppression of the hypersensitivity reaction.

If an adult develops a severe attack of allergic pharyngitis, treatment will be accompanied by the prescription of systemic corticosteroids - hormonal tablets and injections.

Treatment of allergic pharyngitis with medications

Medications and physical therapy are an integral part of the treatment of allergic pharyngitis. Antiviral and antihistamine drugs are prescribed, which quickly and effectively eliminate allergy symptoms.

In more advanced cases, when the patient develops allergic rhinitis or bronchial asthma, the patient is prescribed vasoconstrictor drugs and glucocorticosteroids, the use of which must be strictly under the supervision of the attending physician.

Allergic pharyngitis during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the development of allergic pharyngitis can be dangerous for both the mother and the fetus. In the first trimester, it can provoke abortion, and in later stages it can cause premature birth. Treatment of allergic pharyngitis during pregnancy must be taken very seriously.

First of all, the patient is recommended to have a gentle diet, which involves excluding spicy and cold foods from the menu, as well as allergen products. The main emphasis in treatment is on local remedies - rinsing, inhalation, etc.

Only a doctor can prescribe antibiotics and other medications after examining the patient. Self-medication is unacceptable.

Prevention of allergic pharyngitis

By following preventive measures, the likelihood of allergic pharyngitis will significantly decrease. To do this, you need to change your usual lifestyle. In general, it will be enough to avoid interaction with irritants that provoke an allergic reaction.

But, there are some other recommendations that will reduce the risk of allergic pharyngitis:

strengthening the immune system with immunostimulating drugs. It is also recommended to consume vitamins and minerals;
prevent the development of chronic forms of respiratory diseases;
you need to breathe not through your mouth, but through your nose;
carry out wet cleaning of the premises at least 2 times and ventilate the apartment every day;
get rid of bad habits such as cigarettes and alcohol;
harden the body.

Allergic pharyngitis in children

Medical statistics show that this disease mainly affects adults. However, allergic pharyngitis is also diagnosed in children. The main reasons for its occurrence are hereditary predisposition, passive smoking, frequent colds, and food additives in the child’s diet.

The symptoms of allergic pharyngitis in children do not differ from adults. However, sometimes there is mild pain in the ears. The tonsils in children almost never become inflamed, but the back wall of the throat becomes bright red. At the same time, the body temperature remains normal.