- 1. Dehydration
- 2. Allergic rhinitis
- 3. Food allergy
- 4. Exposure to irritating substances
- 5. Tonsillitis or cold
- 6. Gastroesophageal reflux
- 7. Side effects of medications
Itchy throat can arise in various situations such as allergies, exposure to irritants, infections or other conditions that are usually easy to treat.
In addition to the itchy throat, it is also very frequent the appearance of cough, which in most cases is a defense of the body to this irritating stimulus, however other symptoms such as swelling in the throat or runny nose, for example, may happen.
The most common causes usually include:
1. Dehydration
Dehydration consists of an insufficient amount of water in the body, due to factors such as insufficient fluid intake, diarrhea, vomiting, heat stroke or excessive sweating. Dehydration can be accompanied by symptoms such as itchy throat, thirst, dry mouth, dry skin and eyes, decreased urine and blood pressure, and in more severe cases, increased heart rate and dizziness.
What to do: the treatment consists of ingesting isotonic drinks and solutions with salts for oral rehydration, which are found in pharmacies, or making a homemade serum at home by mixing 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 coffee spoon of salt in a liter of water and after cooling, go drinking throughout the day. In addition, water-rich foods such as watermelon, orange or pineapple can also be eaten. See other water-rich foods.
2. Allergic rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the lining of the nose, caused by an allergic reaction, leading to the appearance of symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, dry cough and itchy nose and throat. This disease usually arises after contact with allergic substances such as dust, animal hair, pollen or some plants, and is therefore more frequent during the spring or autumn.
What to do: allergic rhinitis has no cure, but it can be treated with the use of antihistamine remedies such as loratadine, cetirizine or desloratadine for example, in addition to nasal washing with serum and avoiding contact with substances that cause allergy. Learn more about treatment.
3. Food allergy
Food allergy is an exaggerated inflammatory reaction to a specific substance present in the food, which can manifest itself in different regions of the body such as the skin, eyes, nose or throat. In addition, swelling can also occur in various regions of the body, reaching the mouth, eyelids and tongue and causing severe breathing difficulties.
Drug allergy is very similar to food allergy, however it is easier to identify the allergen, since the allergic reaction occurs shortly after taking the specific medication.
What to do: the treatment consists of the administration of antihistamines such as loratadine or cetirizine, or corticosteroids such as prednisolone, but in case of a serious reaction, it may not be enough and therefore you must immediately go to the emergency room, because the allergy can progress to anaphylactic shock. Know what to do during an anaphylactic shock.
It is also very important to have a food allergy test in order to avoid the foods that are the source of the problem.
4. Exposure to irritating substances
Exposure to irritating substances, such as tobacco smoke or exhaust pipes from cars, cleaning products and other toxic or irritating substances, can irritate the throat, and can also cause itching and coughing in the area.
What to do: Avoiding exposure to substances that cause itchy throat is the most effective measure. However, if this is not possible, you can use calming tablets that have honey, lemon or ginger in their composition, or gargle with solutions based on water and salt.
5. Tonsillitis or cold
Some respiratory infections such as tonsillitis, pharyngitis, or a cold can leave your throat itchy before progressing to more severe symptoms, such as pain or inflammation at the site. Symptoms may also include runny nose, cough, fever, itchy ear, chills and discomfort.
What to do: Treatment depends on the type of infection, and generally, if it is tonsillitis or bacterial pharyngitis, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics such as amoxicillin, erythromycin or penicillin, and analgesics and anti-inflammatories to relieve pain and inflammation, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. In the case of flu or viral pharyngitis, treatment consists of treating symptoms such as inflammation, pain and fever, with analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic remedies such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, aspirin or novalgine.
In addition, it may also be necessary to use drugs for dry cough, such as Dropropizine, or for phlegm cough, such as Mucosolvan, and antihistamines to alleviate allergic symptoms, such as desloratadine or cetirizine.
6. Gastroesophageal reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux consists of the return of stomach contents into the esophagus towards the mouth, causing pain, an unpleasant taste and in some cases itching in the throat due to irritation caused by the acidic content of the stomach. This happens when the muscle that is supposed to prevent stomach acid from leaving the stomach does not work properly.
What to do: The treatment for reflux consists of taking antacids that neutralize the acidity of the stomach, preventing burning in the esophagus, or prokinetics, which speed up gastric emptying, thus reducing the time that the food remains in the stomach. Learn more about treatment options for gastroesophageal reflux.
7. Side effects of medications
Some medications can cause itchy throat as a side effect and should not be confused with an allergic reaction, which is very common in people who take ACE inhibitors for example, which are drugs used to lower blood pressure.
What to do: this side effect usually decreases over time, however, if it persists and causes a lot of discomfort, it may be necessary to replace the medication. In addition, taking a spoonful of honey, gargling with salted water solutions, or having a tea with ginger and lemon, can help relieve itchy throat.
