If you are suffering from allergic laryngitis your body is trying to respond to inflammation and swelling of your voice box, or larynx. Unlike hoarseness, allergic laryngitis should be treated and evaluated differently.
Symptoms & Causes
Like other conditions arising from allergies, laryngitis is caused by pollen, dust, dander, mold and other allergens entering the nose or mouth when you breathe in. Sometimes this triggers an immune response from the body which puts out histamines. This can cause irritation that produces symptoms ranging from dry throat to coughing and a loss of voice.
Diagnosis & Treatment
You doctor will try to pinpoint the source of your laryngitis. To do this he or she may ask you a few questions and perform an allergy skin test or blood test and a throat culture. If allergies are the cause, your doctor might recommend antihistamines or inhaled steroids. You doctor might also simply suggest pain relief tips like pain killers, using a humidifier and avoidance of further irritating factors such as allergens, pollution and secondhand smoke.
Prevention
It can be very hard to prevent allergic laryngitis because allergies are not easily controlled. The best advice is to avoid your trigger allergens and be sure to avoid stressing your voice box, or larynx through overuse or abuse. Don’t yell or whisper too much, avoid external injury and stay healthy.