Allergies?

[misguideddream]

I never had allergies as a child, they developed in my early 20's and were usually mild. I live in central Georgia, and the pollen has started to get crazy the past few weeks here. I've felt congested and a lot of sinus pressure, runny nose, sneezing. This morning I woke up with a swollen, sore throat and extreme sinus pressure. I've never heard of sore throats being a sign of allergies, but I dont want to dismiss the possibility of that either.
Does this sound like allergies or more like a cold?

I've tried taking Alavert and Claritin and other OTC allergy drugs but they didn't really help. Benadryl helps tons, but makes me very drowsy so, obviously, I can't take this during the day while at work. I've been reading online about prescription allergy meds, but how do I know which one would be best for my symptoms? I haven't gone to my doctor yet, but I know this is something I need to do ASAP.


Thanks in advance for any responses.

[shorebird]

Originally Posted by misguideddream

I never had allergies as a child, they developed in my early 20's and were usually mild. I live in central Georgia, and the pollen has started to get crazy the past few weeks here. I've felt congested and a lot of sinus pressure, runny nose, sneezing. This morning I woke up with a swollen, sore throat and extreme sinus pressure. I've never heard of sore throats being a sign of allergies, but I dont want to dismiss the possibility of that either.
Does this sound like allergies or more like a cold?

I've tried taking Alavert and Claritin and other OTC allergy drugs but they didn't really help. Benadryl helps tons, but makes me very drowsy so, obviously, I can't take this during the day while at work. I've been reading online about prescription allergy meds, but how do I know which one would be best for my symptoms? I haven't gone to my doctor yet, but I know this is something I need to do ASAP.


Thanks in advance for any responses.

I grew up without any allergies living in a high pollen area but as soon as I moved to a different region of the country (ironically with lower pollen but different types of pollen) I started suffering and it has not stopped. The thing that has worked best for me is a prescription nasal inhaler called Nasacort. I used to use a similar one called Nasonex but I think I grew immune to that one because it does not work for me anymore.

[shorebird]

P.S. Allergies cause post nasal drip which makes your throat raw so the sore throat is a typical sign of allergies.

[misguideddream]

Originally Posted by shorebird

I grew up without any allergies living in a high pollen area but as soon as I moved to a different region of the country (ironically with lower pollen but different types of pollen) I started suffering and it has not stopped. The thing that has worked best for me is a prescription nasal inhaler called Nasacort. I used to use a similar one called Nasonex but I think I grew immune to that one because it does not work for me anymore.

Thanks for the advice! Are there any OTC nasal inhalers I can try?

[misguideddream]

Originally Posted by shorebird

P.S. Allergies cause post nasal drip which makes your throat raw so the sore throat is a typical sign of allergies.

Ah, good to know.