Itchy throat can occur in a variety of situations, including allergies, exposure to irritants, infections, or other conditions that are generally easy to treat.
In addition to the itching of the throat, it is also very common the appearance of cough, which in most cases is a defense of the body against this irritating stimulus, however other symptoms such as swelling of the throat or runny nose, for example, can occur.
The most common causes often include
Dehydration consists of an insufficient amount of water in the body, due to factors such as insufficient water intake, diarrhea, vomiting, sunstroke or excessive sweating. Dehydration can be accompanied by symptoms such as itching of the throat, thirst, dry mouth, dry skin and eyes, decreased blood pressure and urine and, in more severe cases, increased heart rate and dizziness.
What to do: the treatment involves ingesting isotonic drinks and solutions with oral rehydration salts, which are found in pharmacies, or make a homemade serum by mixing 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of salt in a liter of water and then cooling, go drinking all day. In addition, you can also eat water-rich foods such as watermelon, orange or pineapple. See other foods rich in water.
Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the mucosa of the nose, caused by an allergic reaction, which produces symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, dry cough and itching in the nose and throat. This disease usually occurs after contact with allergic substances such as dust, animal hair, pollen or certain plants, making it more common in spring or autumn.
What to do: Allergic rhinitis has no cure, but can be treated with the use of antihistamine remedies such as loratadine, cetitrine or desloratadine for example, in addition to nasal washing with serum and avoiding contact with allergy-causing substances. Learn more about treatment.
Food allergy is an exaggerated inflammatory reaction to a specific substance present in the food, which can occur in different areas of the body such as the skin, eyes, nose or throat. In addition, swelling can also occur in various areas of the body, reach the mouth, eyelids and tongue, and cause severe breathing difficulties.
Drug allergy is very similar to food allergy, but it’s easier to identify the allergen because the allergic reaction occurs shortly after taking the specific medicine.
What to do: Treatment consists of the administration of antihistamines such as loratadine or cetyrizine, or corticosteroids such as prednisolone, but in case of a serious reaction, it may not be sufficient and therefore should go immediately to the emergency room, as the allergy can progress to anaphylactic shock. Know what to do during anaphylactic shock.
It is also very important to do a food allergy test to avoid the foods that cause the problem.
Exposure to irritants, such as tobacco smoke or car exhaust pipes, cleaning products, and other toxic or irritating substances, can irritate the throat and also cause itching and coughing in the area.
What to do: Avoiding exposure to itchy substances in the throat is the most effective measure. However, if this is not possible, you can use soothing pills that contain honey, lemon or ginger in their composition, or gargle with water and salt-based solutions.
Some respiratory infections such as tonsillitis, pharyngitis or colds can cause itchy throat before progressing to more severe symptoms, such as pain or inflammation at the site. Symptoms may also include runny nose, cough, fever, itchy ears, chills and discomfort.
What to do: Treatment depends on the type of infection and, in general, whether it’s tonsillitis or bacterial pharyngitis, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics such as amoxicillin, erythromycin or penicillin, and pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain and inflammation, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. In cases of flu or viral pharyngitis, treatment involves treating symptoms such as inflammation, pain and fever, with analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic remedies such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin or novalgina.
In addition, it may also be necessary to use medications for dry cough, such as Dropropizine, or to cough with mucus, such as Mucosolvan, and antihistamines to relieve allergic symptoms, such as desloratadine or cetyrizine.
Gastroesophageal reflux refers to the return of the contents of the stomach from the esophagus to the mouth, causing pain, unpleasant taste and in some cases itching in the throat due to irritation caused by the acid content of the stomach. This occurs when the muscle that is supposed to prevent stomach acid from leaving the stomach does not work properly.
What to do: Treatment of reflux involves taking antacids that neutralize the acidity of the stomach, avoiding burns in the esophagus, or prosthesis, which accelerate gastric emptying, thus reducing the time that food stays in the stomach. Learn more about treatment options for gastroesophageal reflux disease.
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 taking ACE inhibitors, for example, which are medications 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 drug. In addition, taking a tablespoon of honey, gargling with salt water solutions or having a ginger and lemon tea can help relieve the itching of the throat.