People can be exposed to allergens from taking a walk outside, petting an animal or eating a meal. The allergens can affect the eyes and air passages, especially the throat. Understanding what allergens may be triggering allergic reactions in the throat will help people figure out how to try to treat symptoms like a soreness, tightness or itching.
Pollen and Spore Allergies
When people breathe in pollen and spores from plants, their immune system may overreact to the pollen by releasing inflammatory chemicals called histamines in their bodies. That inflammation can cause the throat to become itchy or sore. About 1 out of every 5 Americans suffers from allergic rhinitis---also known as hay fever---reports the University of Maryland Medical Center, and the seasonal form of allergic rhinitis is caused by pollen or spore allergies. The University of Maryland Medical Center says that pollen and spore allergies that affect the throat have predictable seasons: spring for tree and grass pollen, summer for fungus and grass pollen and fall for ragweed.
Pet Allergies
Animal proteins that trigger allergic reactions in the body can cause airways to become inflamed or constricted, leading to a sore or tight feeling inside the throat when people breathe. It's usually furry pets like cats, rabbits, gerbils and dogs that carry animal proteins that trigger allergies, reports MayoClinic.com. The protein allergens may be in pets' hair, urine, saliva or dander from their skin, according to MayoClinic.com, and may collect on clothing, furniture, and carpeting. Pets that don't have fur---such as reptiles, birds and fish---rarely cause allergies in people, notes MayoClinic.com.
Food Allergies
Food allergies can cause swelling in the throat when people swallow foods containing substances to which they're allergic. Throat swelling can be serious because it can interfere with people's ability to breathe. Such a situation is life-threatening and requires emergency medical care, cautions the University of Maryland Medical Center. Certain foods often cause food allergies, like peanuts, almonds, fish, shellfish, strawberries, pineapple, tomatoes, preservatives and dyes. People can also become allergic to a particular food after being exposed to it too much, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center.
