Best Allergy Medicine For Scratchy Throat And Cough
If you are someone who suffers from allergies, you know how frustrating it can be to deal with a scratchy throat and cough. While there are many different allergy medicines available, not all of them are created equal when it comes to treating these particular symptoms. In this article, we will explore some of the best allergy medicines for scratchy throat and cough.
What Causes a Scratchy Throat and Cough?
A scratchy throat and cough can be caused by a variety of things, including allergies. Allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to a substance that is normally harmless. When this happens, your body produces histamine, which can cause inflammation and irritation in your throat and lungs, leading to a scratchy throat and cough.
Other common causes of a scratchy throat and cough include viral infections, such as the common cold, and environmental irritants, such as air pollution or cigarette smoke.
Types of Allergy Medicines
There are many different types of allergy medicines available, including antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal corticosteroids. Each type of medicine works in a different way to relieve allergy symptoms.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines work by blocking the effects of histamine in your body. This can help to reduce inflammation and irritation in your throat and lungs, which can help to relieve a scratchy throat and cough.
Some common antihistamines include loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec), and fexofenadine (Allegra).
Decongestants
Decongestants work by narrowing the blood vessels in your nasal passages, which can help to reduce swelling and congestion. This can help to relieve a scratchy throat and cough by reducing post-nasal drip.
Some common decongestants include pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) and phenylephrine (Sudafed PE).
Nasal Corticosteroids
Nasal corticosteroids work by reducing inflammation in your nasal passages, which can help to reduce congestion and post-nasal drip. This can help to relieve a scratchy throat and cough.
Some common nasal corticosteroids include fluticasone (Flonase), mometasone (Nasonex), and budesonide (Rhinocort).
Best Allergy Medicines for Scratchy Throat and Cough
Now that we have explored the different types of allergy medicines, let's take a look at some of the best options for treating a scratchy throat and cough.
Claritin-D
Claritin-D is a combination of loratadine (an antihistamine) and pseudoephedrine (a decongestant). This can help to relieve allergy symptoms, including a scratchy throat and cough, by reducing inflammation and congestion.
Zyrtec-D
Zyrtec-D is a combination of cetirizine (an antihistamine) and pseudoephedrine (a decongestant). This can help to relieve allergy symptoms, including a scratchy throat and cough, by reducing inflammation and congestion.
Flonase
Flonase is a nasal corticosteroid that can help to reduce inflammation in your nasal passages. This can help to relieve congestion and post-nasal drip, which can help to relieve a scratchy throat and cough.
Allegra-D
Allegra-D is a combination of fexofenadine (an antihistamine) and pseudoephedrine (a decongestant). This can help to relieve allergy symptoms, including a scratchy throat and cough, by reducing inflammation and congestion.
Benadryl
Benadryl is an antihistamine that can help to relieve allergy symptoms, including a scratchy throat and cough, by blocking the effects of histamine in your body. However, it can cause drowsiness, so it is not recommended for use during the day.
Conclusion
If you are suffering from a scratchy throat and cough due to allergies, there are many different allergy medicines available that can help to relieve your symptoms. Antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal corticosteroids are all effective options, depending on your specific symptoms and needs.
It is important to talk to your doctor before starting any new allergy medicine, especially if you have any medical conditions or are taking other medications.