Many people experience a sore or itchy throat during allergy season or because of the flu. Fortunately, there are various methods that can be used, both natural and medical, to quickly and effectively relieve the symptoms of an itchy throat. Begin with Step 1 below to find out some effective techniques and strategies for relieving an itchy throat.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Natural Medicine Methods
Step 1. Gargle with salt water
Add half a teaspoon of salt to 250 ml of warm water and mix well. Gargle for 10 seconds and then spit it out, DO NOT swallow.
- Salt helps reduce mucus (which causes an itchy, tickling feeling in the throat) and relieves inflammation.
- Repeat 2-3 times a day, until the throat feels better.
Step 2. Drink honey
Honey is a powerful natural remedy because it lubricates the throat and quickly relieves any itching or irritation. For best results, take one tablespoon of honey every morning.
- Wherever possible, choose pure local honey because this type builds resistance to allergies.
- Mixing a tablespoon of honey in tea is recommended if your stomach tends to react negatively to pure honey.
- Do not give honey to children under 12 months of age, as the bacteria in it can cause a condition called infant botulism, which can cause death.
Step 3. Make a tea mixture of honey, lemon and ginger
Pour a little honey first in a cup and add hot water.
- Next, squeeze two or three lemon wedges. Finally, grate a small piece of ginger and stir.
- Drink this mixture several times a day to relieve sore and itchy throat.
Step 4. Drink a mixture of milk with turmeric
Turmeric in milk is a home remedy to relieve the symptoms of an itchy throat, which has been known for years.
- Before going to bed, boil a glass of milk in a pot of turmeric (you can also mix turmeric in water)
- Allow the milk to cool slightly before drinking. Drink this mixture every night until the itching disappears.
Step 5. Drink apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has long been used as a home remedy and has many health benefits, one of which is to relieve itching in the throat.
- Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in 250 ml of hot water and sip slowly.
- If you like, you can add a tablespoon of honey in apple cider vinegar for a more delicious taste.
Step 6. Try consuming horseradish
In Russia, the most popular home remedy for sore throats is to make a drink from horseradish.
- Mix one tablespoon of pure horseradish (in the form of the plant, not the juice/extract) in a glass with one teaspoon of honey and one teaspoon of ground cloves.
- Pour hot water until full, stir until smooth and drink slowly.
Step 7. Use a humidifier
Living or sleeping in a very dry environment can make your throat dehydrated and itchy.
- Placing a humidifier in the living room, family room, or bedroom will increase the humidity in the air and help relieve an itchy throat.
- If you don't want to buy a humidifier, you can get the same benefit by placing a large bowl of water under a radiator or plant in your home.
Step 8. Drink lots of water
Dehydration is one of the most common causes of an itchy throat, as the throat becomes dry and there is not enough mucus to lubricate and protect sensitive tissues.
- Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, as well as herbal and green teas.
- Drinking water is especially important if you have a cold or flu, as you tend to lose fluids through sweat (from fever) and mucus (from sneezing and blowing your nose).
Method 2 of 3: Protecting Your Throat
Step 1. Give up bad habits
There are a number of substances that when used too often can cause dehydration and cause a sore and itchy throat.
- Caffeine-containing drinks like coffee, tea and soda can dehydrate (and affect your sleep), so try to stop or at least reduce their consumption.
- Drug use and certain medications (such as antidepressants) can cause dehydration and throat irritation.
- Cigarettes can cause a very dry throat that causes itching and irritation (along with other health problems), so consider quitting, or at least cutting back on smoking.
Step 2. Protect your voice
Talking too much, shouting, or singing makes the throat work harder, causing dehydration and itching.
- If you believe this is causing an itchy throat, try to give your voice a break (by not talking, singing, or shouting) for at least an hour or two each day.
- If your job requires you to use your voice a lot, remember to always bring a drink of water, so you can keep your throat lubricated and hydrated throughout the day.
Step 3. Treat allergies
Allergic reactions to certain foods, plants or pollen can cause symptoms such as watery eyes, sneezing, stuffy nose and itchy throat.
- Try taking an antihistamine tablet every day and see if it relieves your symptoms.
- Also try to identify the exact cause of your allergic condition, by keeping a diary of the foods you eat, or seeing your doctor for allergy testing.
Method 3 of 3: Using Over-the-counter Medicines
Step 1. Suck on lozenges or cough drops
Lozenges usually don't do much to "cure" a sore throat, but they can reduce pain.
- The extra saliva produced by sucking on candy will lubricate the throat and relieve itching.
- Meanwhile, the content of cough medicine functions as a local anesthetic that relieves irritation in the throat.
Step 2. Try taking an antihistamine
Benadryl, Zyrtec, and Claritin are some examples of cold and flu brands made to relieve itching and sore throats.
- Common analgesic medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen can help relieve pain associated with an itchy throat. Follow the directions for use on the packaging to find out the correct dosage.
- Keep in mind that aspirin should not be given to children and adolescents recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms because it can cause the rare but fatal Reye's syndrome.
Step 3. Take a decongestant medication
An itchy throat is usually caused by a combination of post-nasal drip and a dry throat (because you breathe through your mouth when your nose is stuffy).
- Therefore, decongestant medications, such as those containing pseudoephedrine, can relieve congestion in the nasal passages and allow you to breathe normally again.
- After this disorder is resolved, the itching in the throat will also disappear.
Step 4. Use a special spray for the throat
Throat sprays are an effective way to relieve dry, itchy and tickling coughs in the throat. These sprays usually contain phenol (or a similar ingredient) that numbs the throat.
- Throat sprays can be purchased over-the-counter without a prescription at many pharmacies, at relatively low prices.
- Some throat sprays even have different flavors, such as mint or fruity.
Step 5. Gargle with mouthwash
Gargling with a mouthwash containing menthol (eg, "Listerine") several times a day can numb the throat, thereby reducing the annoying itching.
Step 6. See a doctor
If the pain and itching in your throat is caused by a bacterial infection, such as strep throat or tonsillitis, you should see a doctor who can prescribe antibiotics.
Warning
- Pregnant women and people with breathing problems are not advised to use throat sprays.
- If you have ever had problems with over-the-counter medicines, consult your doctor first before buying/consuming anything for your throat.
- No matter how sore your throat is, never take more cold medicine than recommended, and under no circumstances should you swallow the salt water you use for gargling.
- Know your allergic conditions before starting to consume honey.
