Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Have Cough And Cold. Getting Phlegm With Metallic Taste. On Steroids. Proper Medication?
Question: I have metallic tasting phlegm, white/clear, runny, no yellow/green. Constant drainage down the back of the throat, with severe cough for over a month. Started with first cold front, then allergies, then cold/flu. Tried a number of over the counter medicine to dry up the drainage. Doctor put me on powerful steriod in capsule form with instructions for each dose for day and time of day, moderate help. The only thing that works is cough drops like Ricola but I cannot take this all day it upsets my stomach after several hours.
YYYY@YYYY
YYYY@YYYY
Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing to us.
Your symptoms would fit in with a perennial rhinitis, that is usually secondary to allergens present all year round. These include house dust mite, animal dander - more relevant if you have pets at home or work with animals.
The constant drainage down the back of your throat is called post nasal drip, that causes an irritating dry cough and disturbed sleep. Fatigue when you wake up in the morning makes you irritable, just affecting performance at work.
You will need to get allergy testing done in the form of skin prick testing or specific IgE blood test so that you're in a better position to avoid the triggers (once they are identified)
Long-acting antihistamines such as Tab. Fexofenadine 180 mg in the morning followed by Nasonex 2 sprays per nostril twice a day to start with (then once daily and on spray per nostril after 4 weeks) is the standard first line treatment.
You must know how to use the nasal spray for best relief.
The spray must be used for 3 months for slightly long term relief. For dust mite allergy, I would recommend that this be taken for 6 months.
You can take an extra Tab. Cetirizine (antihistamine) 10mg tablet later on in the day on top of the Fexofenadine if you need.
I hope this helps.
Best Wishes.
Thanks for writing to us.
Your symptoms would fit in with a perennial rhinitis, that is usually secondary to allergens present all year round. These include house dust mite, animal dander - more relevant if you have pets at home or work with animals.
The constant drainage down the back of your throat is called post nasal drip, that causes an irritating dry cough and disturbed sleep. Fatigue when you wake up in the morning makes you irritable, just affecting performance at work.
You will need to get allergy testing done in the form of skin prick testing or specific IgE blood test so that you're in a better position to avoid the triggers (once they are identified)
Long-acting antihistamines such as Tab. Fexofenadine 180 mg in the morning followed by Nasonex 2 sprays per nostril twice a day to start with (then once daily and on spray per nostril after 4 weeks) is the standard first line treatment.
You must know how to use the nasal spray for best relief.
The spray must be used for 3 months for slightly long term relief. For dust mite allergy, I would recommend that this be taken for 6 months.
You can take an extra Tab. Cetirizine (antihistamine) 10mg tablet later on in the day on top of the Fexofenadine if you need.
I hope this helps.
Best Wishes.
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Aparna Kohli
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
People also viewed
