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What Should I Do About Pain In The Throat While Suffering From Severe Seasonal Allergies Due To Tree Pollen?
Question: Hello! I live in the Northeast United States and am currently suffering from some very bad seasonal allergies to tree pollens. I take Claritin and flonase every day. For the past several days I’ve had pain when swallowing on the left side of either my throat or tonsil...it’s hard for me to pinpoint which one. I have post nasal drip and also sinus pressure in my left cheek, ear and upper teeth.
I looked in my lighted magnifying mirror and am attaching some images of my throat and tonsils. My tonsils appear to be redder than usual. I also noticed that there is a larger “crater” or depression in my left tonsil (which is on he right side of the picture). Thirty years ago I did have severe tonsillitis which left several craters, I’m not sure whether that has been there this whole time.
Can you please take a look at the images and let me know if my tonsils appear to be okay, specifically that larger crater in the left tonsil? Also, do you feel it could be allergy related issues causing the pain on the left side of my throat and/or tonsil? Thank you so very much!!
I looked in my lighted magnifying mirror and am attaching some images of my throat and tonsils. My tonsils appear to be redder than usual. I also noticed that there is a larger “crater” or depression in my left tonsil (which is on he right side of the picture). Thirty years ago I did have severe tonsillitis which left several craters, I’m not sure whether that has been there this whole time.
Can you please take a look at the images and let me know if my tonsils appear to be okay, specifically that larger crater in the left tonsil? Also, do you feel it could be allergy related issues causing the pain on the left side of my throat and/or tonsil? Thank you so very much!!
Brief Answer:
Mild inflammation of the tonsils present
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
1. Both the tonsils are mildly congested and hypertrophied. The crypts are enlarged and they are perfectly normal. The Larger crypt you have noticed on the left tonsil is called Crypta Magna and it's perfectly normal.
2. The throat pain on the left side could be either due to mouth breathing or acid reflux disease.
3. The sense of post nasal drip can't be attributed to sinusitis alone. Many of the individuals who are suffering from acidity/gastritis can have the above sensation. So we need to look into this aspect as well.
4. Regarding the sinus pressure, we need to get an X-ray of the paranasal sinuses done to confirm sinusitis.
5. My suggestions to you are:
a. Drink frequent sips of warm water and do steam inhalation 2-3 times a day, for 3-5 minutes.
b. Use isotonic saline nasal spray along with flonase. This keeps the nasal mucosa moist and reduced the dryness in the throat.
c. Avoid coffee/chilled food and beverages.
Hope this answers your query; I will be available for the follow-up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Mild inflammation of the tonsils present
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
1. Both the tonsils are mildly congested and hypertrophied. The crypts are enlarged and they are perfectly normal. The Larger crypt you have noticed on the left tonsil is called Crypta Magna and it's perfectly normal.
2. The throat pain on the left side could be either due to mouth breathing or acid reflux disease.
3. The sense of post nasal drip can't be attributed to sinusitis alone. Many of the individuals who are suffering from acidity/gastritis can have the above sensation. So we need to look into this aspect as well.
4. Regarding the sinus pressure, we need to get an X-ray of the paranasal sinuses done to confirm sinusitis.
5. My suggestions to you are:
a. Drink frequent sips of warm water and do steam inhalation 2-3 times a day, for 3-5 minutes.
b. Use isotonic saline nasal spray along with flonase. This keeps the nasal mucosa moist and reduced the dryness in the throat.
c. Avoid coffee/chilled food and beverages.
Hope this answers your query; I will be available for the follow-up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Hello Dr.
Thank you so very much for your kind, reassuring and informative answer! I did end up visiting my doctor today, who diagnosed tonsilitis and sinusitis (based on my clinical symptoms), most likely caused by seasonal allergies. He prescribed another nasal spray, steroids and an antibiotic. If those do not provide relief, I may need to visit an ENT in the future.
As a follow up question, in general, is it necessarily unusual to feel sinus pressure on one particular side of the face more so than the other? When I have sinus pain it seems to be always in the left area of my cheek and upper teeth in the maxillary sinus issue. I have told my dentist about the pressure I occasionally experience in my upper teeth on the left side, and he has done both a panoramic x-ray and regular x-rays, both of which show the roots of my teeth are very close to, if not extending into, the sinus cavity on that side.
Thank you again so much for your kindness and expertise!
Thank you so very much for your kind, reassuring and informative answer! I did end up visiting my doctor today, who diagnosed tonsilitis and sinusitis (based on my clinical symptoms), most likely caused by seasonal allergies. He prescribed another nasal spray, steroids and an antibiotic. If those do not provide relief, I may need to visit an ENT in the future.
As a follow up question, in general, is it necessarily unusual to feel sinus pressure on one particular side of the face more so than the other? When I have sinus pain it seems to be always in the left area of my cheek and upper teeth in the maxillary sinus issue. I have told my dentist about the pressure I occasionally experience in my upper teeth on the left side, and he has done both a panoramic x-ray and regular x-rays, both of which show the roots of my teeth are very close to, if not extending into, the sinus cavity on that side.
Thank you again so much for your kindness and expertise!
Brief Answer:
Yes, many conditions mimic sinus pain...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
1. Yes, in the absence of sinusitis an individual can perceive the sinus pressure due to various reasons, such as, deviated nasal septum touching the lateral wall of the nasal cavity, constant nasal congestion creating vacuum in the sinus cavity, extension of the roots of the teeth into the floor of the sinus, etc.
2. In my clinical practice, I would always recommend X-ray of the para-nasal sinuses before making a diagnosis of sinusitis. The reason being, overlapping of many conditions with similar set of symptoms. This would avoid unnecessary medications.
I wish you good health
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Yes, many conditions mimic sinus pain...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
1. Yes, in the absence of sinusitis an individual can perceive the sinus pressure due to various reasons, such as, deviated nasal septum touching the lateral wall of the nasal cavity, constant nasal congestion creating vacuum in the sinus cavity, extension of the roots of the teeth into the floor of the sinus, etc.
2. In my clinical practice, I would always recommend X-ray of the para-nasal sinuses before making a diagnosis of sinusitis. The reason being, overlapping of many conditions with similar set of symptoms. This would avoid unnecessary medications.
I wish you good health
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty
Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist
Practicing since :2001
Answered : 2545 Questions
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