Can a cough be allergies? Here’s What You Need to Know
Cough is painful and most of us have experienced its unease. It can be difficult to get rid of whether caused by a cold, flu or any other disease. However, what you might not have known is that the cause of your cough may be because of allergies. Even though coughing is considered by most people as an infection, it is also caused by allergies that can be a rather annoying symptom. In various diseases, there is a close relationship between allergies and cough which is vital in the treatment and alleviation of the conditions. This article will discuss coughs that are caused by the allergies, the signs and symptoms to look out as well as management of cough.
What Occurs When the Allergies Make Someone Have a Cough?
Cough induced by Allergies The process of how the allergies cause a cough is because apart from the allergens causing the allergies, they also irritate the mucus membrane which consequently results in a cough.
Coughing is an instinctive process which serves as an indicator to evacuate the airways of the irritants. Your immune system also is activated when you are exposed to allergens such as pollen, dust, mold, or pet dander and will antagonize what it recognizes as a threat by releasing chemicals, including that of histamine. This response of the immune system is possible to result in the inflammation of the respiratory system that irritates and produces a dry persistent cough. It should be mentioned that although allergic chest cough has similar sensations to that caused by the viral infection, the causes are different.
Causes of Allergic Cough
The allergic coughing often has other add-ons that enable it to be differentiated as compared to other types of coughing as a result of allergies. This might also involve sneezing, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes and nose blockage. An allergic cough is dry and irritating, which is unlike the case with a cold or a flu because the latter can be accompanied by mucus and or phlegm. The cough can get complicated in places where allergens exist like in places with pets or during pollen time.
Dr. Sarah Johnson an allergist stated, allergic reactions may result in inflammation of the throat and lungs, which may in turn lead to a cough that may lasts days or even weeks when the allergic substance is not eliminated in the environment.
Are Allergies the Reason Behind a Chronic Cough?
Chronic allergic cough is possible when there is a prolonged exposure to the allergic agent. Allergic cough does not go away like a temporary cold, which lasts only a few days. The allergic cough can continue as long as there is a presence of allergen in the surroundings. The cough may remain untill months in certain cases as in the instance of mold or dust that is persistent.
Persistent Coughing associated with allergies occcurs especially in a person who is allergic to any environmental allergens such as pollen, pet dander or dust mites. The immune system responds to these particles whenever they are exhaled, which means that they have long term consequences such as coughing. When such occurs, the cough can even be more severe during night times thereby interfering with sleep.
The Difference Between Allergies and a Cold
It is sometimes difficult to find out whether the cough is caused by allergy or common cold. But, there are some main differences to watch out. A cold commonly accompanies having a runny nose, sore throat and in many occasions a low feved temperature. It tends to improve in a few days. Conversely, allergic cough is always persistent, dry, and also does not cause a fever.
When your cough lasts weeks and you have a history of allergies, there is more chance that you contract an allergic reaction at the expense of a cold. Also, cold symptoms usually go away with time whereas symptoms associated with allergy usually do not change much or even get worse upon allergens exposure.
Treatment of Allergic Cough
It is necessary to establish the allergen that is the cause of the reaction in allergic cough when managing it. The most typical ones are pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mold, and outdoor pollution. Recording in a diary when your cough is bad is a useful way of identifying triggers (e.g. high pollen days or exposure to pets).
It is highly effective to take measures to prevent the allergen after identifying its cause, thus achieving a reduction of symptoms. To illustrate, installing air purifiers at home, washing beddings regularly and ensuring pets are not allowed into the bedroom are some of the strategies that can reduce contact with allergens. Pollen predictions are also useful to know and to remain inside during days of high pollen loads in case that is a trigger to you.
Treatment measures of Allergies
Several medical options can be used to contain the effects of an allergic cough. The most frequently prescribed medications regarding the treatment of allergies are antihistamines, which are used to minimize the sensitivity of the immune system to triggering allergens and improve such symptoms as coughing, sneezing, and itching. A decongestant may also work when there is nasal congestion that usually comes with allergies.
In case the symptoms are more persistent, particularly chronic allergic coughing, the physician might prescribe inhaled corticosteroids or bronchodilators that will alleviate the inflammation of the airways. Such remedies can either prevent or mitigate the allergy-induced cough.
In others, immunotherapy (allergy shots) can be prescribed. These injections assist in making the immune system tolerant to certain allergens offering long term relief to victims with severe allergies.
Herbal Treatments of an Allergic Cough
People wanting natural remedies can use some solutions that can be used to calm an allergic cough. Taking a lot of fluid and mainly warm drinks such as tea with honey or lemon will help ease the throat, alleviating the cough. Salt water gargle can also be taken as a short-term relief as it lowers irritation of the throat facilitated by the allergens.
Moreover, natural antibiotics like peppermint, ginger and chamomile are solutions to inflammation in the throat and can minimize the cough by possessing natural antiseptic qualities. Nevertheless, it should be noted that one must first get a consultation with a medical expert before undertaking any new forms of remedies, particularly the allergy tendency to some of the plants/herbs.
When a Doctor is needed
Most allergic coughs can be treated at home using over-the-counter medications and changing the lifestyle and there are cases, when people need to see a doctor. Noticeable when you have a problem of coughing even after using allergy medications, or when your body starts to experience other allergies welding, such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and tight chest, this may likely mean that your allergies have caused an underlying allergy related condition like asthma.
Dr. Emily Wilson is a pulmonologist and she believes that whenever one feels that he or she cannot breathe well or is coughing or accompanied by wheezing it is very vital to go to a doctor within the shortest time possible. These are the symptoms that may imply the existence of an asthma attack or any other respiratory problems.”
Conclusion: Treatment of Allergic Cough
To wind it up, the answer is yes, a cough can be due to allergies. The relationship that exists between allergens and coughing lies in the fact that the body reacts to the allergens through the immune system that results in airways inflammation and an urge to keep on coughing. Learning how to control your allergic cough can be a very easy task once you know triggers, symptoms, and types of treatment you can use to treat your conditions.
An allergic cough can be completely managed, either by avoiding the allergens, or by the use of drugs and treatment or even the use of natural remedies. And in case your symptoms do not disappear or even get worse, you need not be too shy about consulting a doctor. Your physician is the person who would assist you to decide what is best suited to get you back on track to feeling good and breathing freely.
This blog achieves a rich and SEO-friendly coverage of the ways allergies may trigger a cough by adhering to the above-mentioned rules. It is well placed to provide answers to this frequently asked question among health circles in the US with the help of a catchy phraseology, knowledge base and thorough explanations.
