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Cough and Throat Itch

For almost a year now I've been dealing with a chronic cough. My doctor said it was allergy based which makes sense because it is accompanied by varying ear pain, nasal drainage and an itchy throat. I have been put on Allegra-D which drastically reduced the symptoms. I am a military aviator and I'm restricted from taking certain medicines. The last six months, I have been in a non flight duty and started taking benadryl which I am normally restricted from taking due to the drowsiness side effects. It seems to be the most effective at treating my symptoms but they still linger.

Last week, I took a physical fitness test and it was pretty cold that morning (20F). For the remainder of the day and the next day had a typical cough from having my lungs frozen over from running in the cold. But after I hacked up the phlegm, my typical cough and itch completely disappeared. I forgot how much this problem was bothering me until it was gone. By the end of the week, the cough was back.

I gotta find a way to get back to normal. Any suggestions are appreciated.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your reply doc.
Helpful - 0
1355118 tn?1298564879
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi, welcome to the forum, your symptoms are suggestive of sinusitis. The causes of these are bacterial infection like streptococcal, staphylococcal, Tuberculosis, Bronchiectasis and Fungal infections. This can be associated with postnasal drip and throat clearing. This can in turn irritate the throat lining.

If infection is suspected, you need to send the sputum or throat swab for culture, microscopy, staining to rule out the pathogen and should also take chest radiograph. Antibiotic sensitivity of culture will decide the effective drug.

The other possibilities are gastro esophageal reflex disease, hyperplastic tonsil, abnormal upper esophageal sphincter function, stress or psychological abnormality causes this sensation due to altered upper esophageal pressure. You may need to undergo endoscopic evaluation. A course of proton pump inhibitor against prescription will help in such cases.

Firstly I suggest you to consult ENT surgeon for possible causes and further management. Take care and regards.
Helpful - 0
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