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Taking Nasal Steroids For Fluid In Ear, Irritation In Nose And Difficulty In Swallowing. Is It Due To Allergies?

Posted on Fri, 15 Nov 2013

Question: Hello,

I’m 35, male, non smoker. Last week I went to the Walgreens pharmacy and saw an APN for Allergy symptoms i.e. post nasal drip, slight stuffed right ear, slight irritation back right of throat. Felt like something was stuck sort of. No pain swallowing ever, no fever, no body aches.

The APN could see fluid in the ear, some irraation in the nose, and slight redness from the post nasal drip most likely in the back. He put me on a nasal steroid, I have been on it a week, and my ear is feeling better, the throat is feeling better. However, it still feels like something is there in the back right, I don’t feel it most of the time, mostly when my mouth is dry or when I focus on it.

So, I’m wondering if this is still from the allergies or something more serious. He felt not bumps when feeling the neck etc… Just thought I’d ask. Again, I have no fever, no pain, can swallow with no pain.

Answered by Dr. Abhishek Sharma (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Continue same medicines and get investigated

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
You had throat irritation and which improved after taking nasal treatment.
For throat irritation you need to see for two things-
1. nasal allergies / disease like blockage,discharge post nasal drip etc which you had, as the nasal discharge fall back in throat and irritates it.
you need to continue your medication and in addition get a CT scan of nose and paranasal sinuses with plain coronal views limited cuts, to rule out any disease in nose and paranasal sinuses.So that a definite management is planned .
2. Secondly, Take care of reflux. It is one of the reason for recurrent throat irritation , it doesnot matter you feel heart burn acidity or not.As many times there is silent reflux especially in night and more in people who snore.

In all my patients with similar symptoms, I advice
1. Antireflux medicines - You can add prilosec OTC one tablet before breakfast to your current treatment. You can take them for as long as 14 days.
- Keep head end of bed elevated.
- Avoid alcohol
- Do brisk walking daily
- Go for walk after dinner
- Avoid spicy food
- Avoid late night coffee

Get well soon.
I will be glad to assist you further if needed.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Abhishek Sharma (1 hour later)

Thanks for your reply. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't going nuts. I will follow up, just made me nervous when I felt it a few times in the back right of throat. I feel no bump, see no bump, heck it isn't like I feel it on every swallow, just when in it is dry on the back right.

glad the spry has worked.

I will try and relax and no think about it every 30 seconds!

Answered by Dr. Abhishek Sharma (46 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Continue nasal spray

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Its good that the steroid nasal spray is working.
But you should use a normal saline spray like physiomer/ Solspre / or even a neti pot will help.Using a nasal wash is very important as you may require long term nasal steroid use.
Even when you stop using the steroid spray, nasal wash will help and you can continue that for long.
Nasal wash will make nasal skin healthy and will maintain the normal function.
Do take care of reflux too.
If in doubt do reply

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. Vaishalee Punj