Allergies Support Group

When the immune system responds to a foreign substance in an abnormal way, it is classified as an allergy. When the body first contacts the substance, it will not cause any reactions, but the immune system will start to produce antibodies to it and subsequent contact will trigger more dramatic responses. Depending on the allergy, the response could be mild or very severe...

960 Members
611 Posts
0 Online
Allergies & Immunity
/ Allergies Support Group

salivary gland swelling and pain due to allergies

DarknessEmbraced
DarknessEmbraced
For the past three years I've had problems with swelling and pain in my left submandibular salivary gland. I've had scans that show no salivary gland stones. My ENT said the swelling and pain would continue to reoccur that it just happens in some people. Tylenol, massage with a hot cloth and sour candy don't really help. I can feel the saliva backing up into the gland causing that side of my mouth to become dry. The swelling and pain make it harder to eat. I know that my allergies make the swelling worse. Has anyone else dealt with this? What did you do? Any help would be appreciated.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi again! Just saw this post, so here's my random advice. 1) get checked for Sjogren's syndrome. It's a salivary dysfunction, usually can tell by dry mouth and gritty dry eyes, among other things.
2) When it gets bad and you feel allergies are contributing, I suggest buying some liquid children's Benedryl and swishing/ gargling it, making sure it comes in contact with the gland affected. It could be an oral allergy syndrome thing. I can't eat certain fruits without reacting with sore tongue and mouth and a bit of swelling. usually these foods correspond to my pollen allergies. For instance, the entire melon family and some stonefruits like plums are off limits, and raw carrots bother me and especially my nose. I hope this helps some. If you find that the benedryl does work to help ease the salivary problem, I suggest seeing an allergist and maybe working up to immunotherapy shots if need be. Good luck!
DarknessEmbraced
DarknessEmbraced
I'm hoping that I will be referred back to my endocrinologist so that I can be followed for hyperparathyroidism and that she can also check for Sjogren's Syndrome. I know that in Sjogren's Syndrome the immune system attacks the body's moisutre producing glands.

Can I use children's benadryl in addition to the reactine that I take? It's 10mg and lasts all day. I've never thought of it being oral allergy syndrome. I have an allergy to alder, maple and oak pollen. Maple is the worst of the three. I'll have to look to see what foods correspond to those pollen types. The allergist I went to suggested the allergy shots but I wasn't sure of my drug plan covered it.

Thanks for all of your wonderful advice! :)
deleted_user
deleted_user
I think the benedryl will be fine as long as you don't swallow all the mixture. Just rinse your mouth with it, gargle etc, and spit out the remaining bit. And my main allergen is to ragweed, so that gives some indicator of the fruits i'm allergic to.