Soothe an Itchy Throat

Many people get sore or itchy throats during allergy season or because of the flu. Fortunately, there's a variety of methods you can use -- natural and medicinal -- to ease an itchy throat quickly and effectively. Start with Step 1 below to find out some of the most effective techniques and strategies to help soothe an itchy throat.

Steps

Using Natural Remedies

  1. Gargle salt water. Add half a teaspoon of salt to 8 ounces of warm water and mix well. Sip and gargle for 10 seconds, then spit--do NOT swallow.
    • The salt helps to cut through excess phlegm (which can cause an itchy, tickling feeling in the throat) and reduce inflammation.
    • Repeat this 2 to 3 times per day, until your throat feels better.
  2. Eat some honey. Honey is a fantastic natural remedy, as it coats the throat and quickly relieves any itchiness or irritation. For best results, eat a tablespoon of honey each morning.
    • Use raw, local honey where possible, as it will help to build up your allergy resistance.
    • Stirring a tablespoon of honey into your tea is another viable option if you can't stomach the raw stuff.
    • Never give honey to infants under the age of 12 months, as the bacteria it contains can cause a condition known as infant botulism, which may lead to death.
  3. Make honey, lemon, and ginger tea. Add a small amount of honey to the bottom of a cup and fill to the top with hot water.
    • Then, squeeze one to three wedges of lemon in. Finally, grate a small amount of ginger and stir.
    • Drink several times throughout the day to soothe an itchy, sore throat.
  4. Drink milk with turmeric. Turmeric in milk is a home remedy for soothing an itchy throat that has been around for many years.
    • Before bedtime, boil a cup of milk in a saucepan with a teaspoon of turmeric (you can also mix the turmeric with water if you prefer).
    • Allow the milk to cool slightly before drinking. Drink each night until the itchy throat disappears.
  5. Drink apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is used in many home remedies and has a broad array of health benefits -- one of which is relieving an itchy throat.
    • Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to 8oz of hot water and sip slowly.
    • You can add up to a tablespoon of honey to the drink to improve the taste, if you like.
  6. Try horseradish. In Russia, a popular home remedy for relieving a sore throat involves making a drink from horseradish.
    • In a glass, combine one tablespoon of pure horseradish (the plant, not the sauce) with a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of ground cloves.
    • Fill the glass with hot water, stirring to distribute the horseradish mixture, then drink slowly.
  7. Use a humidifier. Living or sleeping in a very dry environment can cause your throat to become dehydrated and itchy.
    • Placing a humidifier in your living area or bedroom will add moisture back into the air and help to soothe an itchy throat.
    • If you don't want to invest in a humidifier, you can achieve the same results by placing a large bowl of water under the radiator or by keeping plants in your living space.
  8. Drink more water. Dehydration is one of the most common causes of an itchy throat, as your throat becomes dried out and there is not enough mucus to lubricate and protect the sensitive tissue.
    • Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day and drink plenty of green and herbal teas.
    • Drinking water is especially important if you have a flu or cold, as you tend to lose a lot of fluids through sweat (from fever) and mucus (from sneezing and blowing your nose).

Protecting Your Throat

  1. Get rid of bad habits. There are a number of substances that can cause dehydration and lead to a sore, itchy throat when used too frequently.
    • Drinks that contain caffeine like coffee, tea and soda can lead to dehydration (and affect your sleep) so try to cut them out or at least cut down.
    • Recreational drug use and certain medications (like antidepressants) can lead to dehydration and throat irritation.
    • Smoking cigarettes is very drying on the throat and can lead to itchiness and irritation (along with a host of other health issues) so think about quitting, or at least cutting back.
  2. Protect your voice. Things like talking too much, shouting, or singing can cause your throat to become overworked, leading to dehydration and itchiness.
    • If you believe this may be the cause of your itchy throat, try to give your voice a break by resting it (no talking, singing or shouting) for at least an hour or two each day.
    • If your work involves using your voice a lot, remember to keep a bottle of water on you at all times so you can keep your throat lubricated and stay hydrated throughout the day.
  3. Deal with any allergies. An allergic reaction to a certain food, plant or pollen can cause symptoms such as watery eyes, sneezing, congestion and an itchy throat.
    • Try taking an antihistamine tablet daily to see if this alleviates your symptoms.
    • Also try to identify the exact cause of the allergy by keeping a food diary or seeing your doctor for an allergy test.

Using Over-The-Counter Remedies

  1. Suck on a throat lozenge or cough drop. Regular throat lozenges don't do much to heal your throat, but they do alleviate the pain.
    • The extra saliva you produce with the candy in your mouth will lubricate the throat to relieve the itchy feeling.
    • Meanwhile, the medication in the drop acts as a local anesthetic which numbs the irritation in the throat.
  2. Try an antihistamine. Benadryl, Zyrtec, and Claritin are just a few brands of cold and flu medicines that are designed to soothe scratchy and sore throats.
    • Plain old analgesics like aspirin and Ibuprofen can also help to relieve the pain associated with an itchy throat. Follow the directions on the packaging for correct dosage.
    • Keep in mind that aspirin should never be given to children or teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptom, as it can lead to the rare but fatal Reye's syndrome.[1]
  3. Take a decongestant. Itchy throats are often caused by a combination of post-nasal drip and a dry throat (caused by breathing through your mouth when congested).
    • Therefore, a decongestant medicine -- such as those containing pseudoephedrine -- can clear blocked nasal passages and help you to breathe normally.
    • Once these issues are resolved, the itch in your throat should disappear.
  4. Use throat spray. Throat spray is a great way of relieving itchy throats and dry, tickling coughs. They usually contain phenol (or a similar ingredient) which numbs the throat.
    • Throat sprays are available over-the-counter in most pharmacies and are relatively cheap.
    • Some throat sprays even come in different flavors, like mint or berry flavor.
  5. Gargle mouthwash. Gargling with a mouthwash that contains menthol (such as Listerine) a couple of times per day helps to numb the throat, alleviating the irritating, itchy feeling.
  6. See a doctor. If your sore, itchy throat is caused by a bacterial infection -- such as strep throat or tonsillitis -- you will need to see a doctor who can prescribe you a course of antibiotics.

Warnings

  • Pregnant women and people that have trouble breathing should avoid throat spray.
  • If you've had problems with over-the-counter medications in the past, check with your doctor before taking anything for your throat.
  • No matter how much it hurts, don't take more than the recommended amount of cold medicine, and do not Swallow salt water.
  • Find out your allergies before taking honey.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/reyes-syndrome/basics/definition/con-20020083
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