Symptoms, causes, and treatment of allergy cough
An allergy cough, as the name suggests, is triggered by allergens and is different compared to a cough induced by common cold. Allergic cough though is associated with nasal congestion and runny nose, at times it is difficult to distinguish it from coughing caused due to the common cold. Improper diagnosis and medication deteriorate the condition in many cases. Therefore, it is always recommended to know the common allergy cough symptoms and get treated at the preliminary stage.
Symptoms of an allergy cough
As this condition is triggered by allergies, coughing problems remain as long as the allergens are present in the blood.
- Sudden onset of a cough
- Constant coughing for a few minutes
- Coughing at random times in a year
Contrary to a cough caused by the common cold, these are not restricted to just the winter months. You can acquire this condition at any time of the year. Unlike a cough due to a common cold, these allergy cough symptoms occur only when the body is exposed to allergens and may be cured as soon as there is no contact with the allergen. Therefore, it can be for a few minutes or maybe even for several days.
Causes of an allergy cough
Just learning about the symptoms of an allergy cough is not enough. It is also important to know the causes underlying the condition. In most cases, it is the changing lifestyle and increased pollution level that causes an allergy cough. Some patients get an allergy cough due to dust mites, while other get this after coming in contact with various inhalants at work. In some cases, foods may also trigger an allergic cough. Patients suffering from conditions like asthma or bronchitis are quite prone to these types of cough.
Treatment of an allergy cough
It is necessary to start the treatment of an allergic cough once you have noted the common allergy symptoms. Although home remedies work fine in mild cases, seeking medical assistance is recommended if the condition does not get healed in a few days or recurs frequently. You should visit a doctor when the cough is accompanied by a running nose or a headache. Care should be taken if the condition changes from a dry to wet cough, and vice-versa. To treat the patient, doctors generally get a complete diagnosis of the condition and prescribe anti-allergy medications that can help one cope with the condition.
Allergens causing cough may irritate different linings of the nose, lungs, noise box or throat and cause swelling or inflammation. While seeking treatment can help in controlling the condition, using some preventive measures can check recurrence of the condition. To avoid an allergic cough, it is better to avoid using perfumes and room fresheners. It is also better to avoid sour fruits as these often cause allergies.