Allergy from Fumes and Food

I suffer from discomfort in my throat very frequently (burning or tickling).

When I smell fumes such as chemicals (especially acetone or ammonia) or smoke from cigarettes, the discomfort mainly occurs on the uvula or the tonsils. When I inhale dust, tickling occurs on the throat.

This discomfort has also caused me to stop eating tomatoe sauce, spicies and pepper because I feel it worsens if I eat them. However, last Sunday I ate salted popcorn and I've had a tickle in my throat as well, it's driving me crazy. I cannot sleep at night as well !

Usually I do not get fever with these discomforts.


What do you think is my problem and what can I do to ameliorate it ? Could this be an affect of stress from exams ?

Thank you ! I would appreciate a reply !

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Some amount of irrrritation - especially the kind you describe is not uncommon after exposure to the nauseous stimuli you mention.

You could consult an allergy specialist about the food allergies you mention. Try to enlist the foods that cause your symptoms. Get a proper clinical evaluation done and ask him/her what the probable diagnosis is.

Are you too much worried about your exams? What is your age?

Do keep us posted on how you are doing and if you have any doubts.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.

[Etoile87]

Hi,

Thank you so much for your reply, I really appreaciate it. The fact that you tell me that my allergy to fumes is not uncommon puts my mind at rest.

I am 20 years old. Yes, I worry alot about my exams and doing well and the stress it gives, often ends in either pain in my stomach or my throat.

I've been coughing from last Sunday. My doctor gave me a medicine, but I am going to get it checked out at an ENT specialist.

I will keep you updated on my happenings. Thanks :)

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Try to relax about the exams. Prepare well, eat a healthy regular diet and do not take too much of caffiene or tea throughout the day.

You could try antireflux or antinausea medications and see if that helps.

Do let us know what your ENT specialist suggests.

Let us know how you are doing.

Regards.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Try to relax about the exams. Prepare well, eat a healthy regular diet and do not take too much of caffiene or tea throughout the day.

You could try antireflux or antinausea medications and see if that helps.

Do let us know what your ENT specialist suggests.

Let us know how you are doing.

Regards.

[Etoile87]

Hi !

Yep you are right I tend to drink alot of tea during exams ! I'll try to minimize it.

I've had this question in my mind for quite a long time: Does washing your hair and scalp during the time you have a cough, worsens it ?

I will post what my ENT suggests next Friday after the appointment.

Thank you for your help !

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Hope your cough is better now and you are all set to take your exams!!

A headwash does not as a rule worsen your cough, but yes it would be better to use lukewarm water for the headwash and also to increase the time gap between two headwash.

Glad the posts are of help to you.

Keep us posted.

Regards.

[Etoile87]

Hi !

Today I had the appointment with the ENT specialist. He diagonised me with pharyngitis, because he said I am prone to cough easily when exposed to pollutants, spicy food etc. He gave me two types of pills: the first one is Prednisolone and the other one is Xyzal.

I feel a bit better in knowing what I have but I also feel a bit scared to this new knowledge. Can pharyngitis be cured ? Do I have to take this medicine forever or for a period of time ?

Thanks for taking time to read my posts ! :-)

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

You need not be scared - especially now, since you have a diagnosis for your symptoms.

Pharyngitis is curable - the medications that have been prescribed need to be taken only for a few days - a week to 10 days. Hasn't your doctor told you to follow up or stop the medications?

You would need a course of antibiotics if the symptoms still persist after these medications.

Let us know how you are doing.

Hope this helps.

Regards.