From TIME · Angela Haupt · · 2m
Why that mucus in your throat won't go away
Postnasal drip has many causes beyond allergies, and your usual remedies might be making it worse.
In brief
Postnasal drip has many causes beyond allergies, and your usual remedies might be making it worse. Postnasal drip stems from allergies, sinus inflammation, reflux or nasal irritation, and antihistamines alone often fail to help because they don't address all causes. Originally reported by TIME.
The problem that won't quit
Persistent postnasal drip makes it hard to concentrate and speak. For people who speak for a living, Dr. Matt Hershcovitch, an ENT and sinus specialist in Burbank, California, says the sensation returns quickly despite treatment.
“You can't speak for more than 30 seconds without having to cough and clear your throat.”
What causes the drip
Environmental allergies and chronic rhinosinusitis, ongoing inflammation in the nose and sinuses, are among the most common causes, says Dr. Florence Hsu, a Yale Medicine allergist and immunologist. Inflammation increases mucus production, sending drainage down the back of your throat.
Other triggers beyond allergies
Your nose can react to things you aren't allergic to. Smoke, strong smells, spicy food and changing weather trigger nonallergic rhinitis, making your nasal lining overly reactive and producing extra mucus. Reflux can also cause a sensation of mucus in the throat.
Why allergy pills often fail
Antihistamines target histamine, a chemical involved in allergic reactions, but they won't address every reason your throat feels coated. Other parts of the inflammatory response may need different treatment, such as a steroid nasal spray. Antihistamines can also be drying, leading to thicker mucus.
“Antihistamines can also be drying, leading to thicker mucus that is more difficult to clear.”
Home treatments that work
Saline nasal rinses using a squeeze bottle or neti pot can wash out mucus and allergens. For allergy symptoms, steroid nasal sprays such as Flonase or Nasacort help. Avoid decongestants like Afrin for more than two or three days, as longer use causes rebound congestion.
“Not all nasal sprays are the same.”
When to see a doctor
If postnasal drip persists for years or despite over-the-counter treatment, see an allergist or ENT. Allergy testing identifies triggers; an ENT may examine your nasal passages with a thin camera. Seek prompt care for bloody or one-sided drainage, facial pain, loss of smell or taste, complete nasal blockage, or new wheezing.
“This is a very manageable one. It's not something you did or didn't do.”
Here's the gist
Postnasal drip stems from allergies, sinus inflammation, reflux or nasal irritation, and antihistamines alone often fail to help because they don't address all causes.
