Conditions and symptoms
What Are Upper Respiratory Allergies? Label Meaning
Upper respiratory allergies · say it: UP-er RES-puh-ruh-tor-ee AL-er-jeezAlso written: nasal allergies, allergic rhinitis, respiratory allergies, indoor and outdoor allergies
Short answer
Upper respiratory allergies are allergic reactions affecting the nose, sinuses and throat, from pollen, dust mites, mould or pet dander.
What it means
The upper respiratory tract is the nose, sinuses and throat. Upper respiratory allergies are allergic reactions in these areas, caused by things such as pollen, dust mites, mould or animal dander. Symptoms include sneezing, runny or blocked nose, itchy nose or throat, and itchy, watery eyes. They can be seasonal (hay fever) or year-round (perennial).
The phrase is mostly found on over-the-counter allergy medicine labels: 'relieves symptoms due to hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies.' It tells you the medicine is meant for allergy symptoms of the nose and eyes, not for asthma, chest infections or colds. Labels add when to stop and ask a doctor, for example if symptoms last more than a week or come with a fever.
Allergies affecting the lungs, such as allergic asthma, are lower respiratory problems and need different treatment. Wheezing or breathlessness is not something these over-the-counter labels cover.
Where you may see it
- The 'Uses' section of over-the-counter antihistamine and nasal spray labels
- Allergy medicine packaging ('indoor and outdoor allergies')
- Allergy clinic notes
📄 How it looks on a report
Temporarily relieves these symptoms due to hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies: sneezing, runny nose, itchy throat.
🙅 What it does not mean
- It does not include asthma or chest symptoms.
- It is not an infection and does not need antibiotics.
- Year-round symptoms are not always a cold that will not go away; they may be allergy.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Upper respiratory allergies”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Cetirizine
an antihistamine of the selective H1-receptor antagonist type
- Dexamethasone
A corticosteroid, a synthetic adrenocortical steroid medicine that lowers inflammation and suppresses the immune system
- Fexofenadine
an antihistamine, an allergy medicine sold over the counter
- Loratadine
a non-drowsy antihistamine, a type of medicine that works against allergy symptoms
- Montelukast
A leukotriene receptor antagonist, a medicine that blocks substances in the body called leukotrienes.
- Prednisolone
a corticosteroid, a type of steroid medicine. The label describes glucocorticoids as adrenocortical steroids, both naturally occurring and synthetic, that are readily absorbed from the stomach and intestines.
- Prednisone
a corticosteroid, a type of steroid medicine that works like the adrenocortical (adrenal gland) steroids the body makes naturally
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Upper respiratory allergies” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
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