Many wellness issues can cause a chronic sore pharynx, including allergies, infections, and underlying conditions. Identifying the cause is the start step toward receiving the right treatment and avoiding any triggers.

Chronic throat pain oft results from lingering throat infections, irritants or allergens in the air, or dry air conditions. People with allergies or asthma may exist particularly sensitive to these triggers.

Some causes of a chronic sore throat crave medical treatment. See a doctor if a sore throat lasts longer than 5–10 days.

In this article, we look at common reasons why a chronic sore throat develops.

Man with a sore throat. Possible causes of a chronic sore throat are smoking, air pollution, or allergic reactions. Share on Pinterest
Possible causes of a chronic sore throat include smoking, air pollution, and allergic reactions.

Inhaling smoke irritates the sensitive tissues lining the throat. This irritation results from inhaling the hot, dry air and toxic chemicals in tobacco fume. People who fume regularly may experience a sore throat that does not go away.

Smoking also makes a person more than susceptible to wellness atmospheric condition that can cause a sore throat, including a cold, the flu, and respiratory tract infections. This is because smoking weakens the performance of the immune system. It besides increases a person'southward take chances of throat cancer, and a lasting sore throat tin can be a symptom of the disease.

If a person smokes and develops a sore pharynx that does not go away or comes and goes regularly, they should see their healthcare provider. A doctor tin can also provide help to anyone who wants to quit.

Smog and air pollution are mutual in larger cities and in areas most industrial factories or power plants. Breathing in smog or air pollution has similar health consequences to inhaling smoke from a cigarette. Inhaling smog on hot days tin can be peculiarly harmful.

People who breathe in polluted air may feel symptoms such as:

  • pain in the breast
  • a sore throat
  • cough
  • other asthma symptoms

Allergens are substances that cause an allergic reaction. Allergens can include foods, pollen, and chemicals in cleaning products or cosmetics, for instance.

People with seasonal allergies may find lasting pharynx irritation during warm months and other times when the pollen count is high.

Allergies tin can cause postnasal drip, which involves excess fungus draining down the back of the nasal passage into the throat. Postnasal drip tin atomic number 82 to a persistent, raw sore pharynx.

Colds and the flu, reactions to medication, and certain weather condition conditions can also trigger postnasal drip.

A person allergic to an airborne substance such equally pollen, grass, or mildew may experience any of the following symptoms when exposed to the allergen:

  • itchy eyes
  • a runny olfactory organ
  • coughing and sneezing
  • watery eyes
  • postnasal drip

A person tin develop a sore throat from animate through their rima oris for a long menstruum. This is most likely to occur while a person sleeps.

A person may be breathing through their mouth overnight if they wake up with a dry out oral cavity that goes away after drinking or eating.

Obstructions to the nasal passage — from enlarged tonsils or backlog mucus, for example — can cause a person to breathe through their mouth while asleep.

Anyone who consistently wakes upward with a sore pharynx should consult a healthcare provider.

A lingering cold or flu can cause pain in the throat for weeks after the main infection has begun to subside.

Colds and the flu are acquired past viruses, and viral infections are the most common cause of sore throats. They usually go away on their own with time.

Otherwise, a bacterial infection — such as strep throat — may be the underlying outcome. Antibiotics can treat bacterial infections, only they will not treat infections caused past viruses.

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Symptoms of tonsillitis include bloated tonsils, a fever, and difficulty swallowing.

Tonsillitis is a pharynx infection that causes inflammation. Both viruses and leaner can cause tonsillitis.

Children are more prone to tonsillitis, just it tin can affect people of any age. The handling volition depend on whether the infection is bacterial or viral.

Some additional symptoms of tonsillitis include:

  • red or swollen tonsils
  • a fever
  • chills
  • difficulty swallowing
  • a hoarse or scratchy phonation
  • a severe sore throat
  • yellow or white spots on the tonsils
  • bad breath

Mononucleosis — typically referred to as mono — tin last for up to 2 months. Mono frequently causes flu-like symptoms, which can include a sore throat.

In some cases, the sore throat lasts for the elapsing of the infection.

A peritonsillar abscess results from a bacterial infection in the tonsil.

A peritonsillar abscess tin develop when tonsillitis does non fully heal. The abscess forms as a pus-filled bump on one tonsil, and the infection then spreads to surrounding tissue.

Symptoms of a peritonsillar abscess are very similar to those of tonsillitis, simply they are often much more severe. If a person receives treatment for tonsillitis, just the infection does non appear to go away, they should consult a doctor.

Gonorrhea is a very mutual sexually transmitted infection in the United States. The Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium causes it.

In addition to affecting the genitals, gonorrhea can also develop in the pharynx, after oral sexual practice.

Acid reflux occurs when a musculus at the top of the stomach weakens and leaks acrid into the esophagus, which is the tube that connects the oral cavity and stomach.

This causes a painful burning sensation known every bit heartburn.

Acid reflux tin can cause a sore pharynx. Anyone who suspects that they accept acid reflux should speak to their doc about treatments. Over time, information technology can impairment the esophagus and cause further wellness problems.

Learn more than well-nigh sore throats and acid reflux.

A person with a weakened allowed organisation is more than likely to experience a chronic sore throat. This is because their trunk is less able to fight off infections when bacteria and viruses enter the body.

If a person has whatsoever of the following, they may have weakened immune system function:

  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • lupus
  • HIV
  • AIDS
  • cancer and other conditions that require chemotherapy

Pharynx cancer, which is also called laryngeal cancer, can cause a chronic sore throat.

Another symptoms of laryngeal cancer include:

  • hoarseness or voice changes
  • constant coughing
  • difficulty or hurting when swallowing
  • trouble animate
  • weight loss
  • a lump or mass in the neck

If cancer starts developing above the voice box, people may not discover hoarseness or phonation changes.

The American Cancer Club recommend seeing a doc if hoarseness or other voice changes concluding for more than than two weeks.

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If a sore pharynx lasts longer than v–x days, a person should consider seeing a doctor.

A person should see a doctor if a sore pharynx lasts longer than 5–ten days, according to the American University of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery.

Sore throats are often easy to diagnose and care for. Notwithstanding, seek immediate medical attention if any of the post-obit occurs:

  • a high fever
  • difficulty turning the head
  • swelling in the throat that impairs breathing, talking, or swallowing
  • severe pain on i side of the throat and swollen glands
  • a lump or obstruction in the throat

People can often salve the pain of a sore pharynx using over-the-counter treatments and home remedies.

Read about 15 natural remedies for a sore throat.

Sore throats are common and can outcome from a variety of conditions and illnesses.

If sore throats occur frequently or become persistent — lasting longer than 5–x days — speak to a doctor.

A healthcare provider can determine the cause and propose constructive treatments.