A tickle in throat can be irritating, right? It can lead to a relentless urge to scratch inside your throat. This tickle usually goes away on its own or when the underlying disease is cured. In most cases, it occurs as a symptom of an underlying condition that may require treatment.
When something irritates your throat, it can cause an unpleasant throat itch that may be accompanied by coughing.
This article will discuss the causes, home remedies, and prevention for that pesky tickle in your throat. Keep reading!
Table of Contents
What Causes A Tickle In Your Throat?
There are many tickle in throat causes, ranging from environmental factors to serious diseases. It may occur with or without a cough. Some common causes behind a tickle in throat include:
1. Allergy
Allergies are one of the top reasons for an itchy throat. Seasonal allergies can result in tickling in the throat, coughing, and sore throat. You can also get an allergic reaction from pets, dander, and dust. Eliminating the allergen can help prevent allergies in the future. Additionally, be aware of the substances you are allergic to avoid them. Moreover, you can also take OTC medications to relieve the symptoms of allergy.
2. Asthma
If you have asthma, you are likely to get an itchy throat during a mild asthma attack. Various triggers can lead to an asthma attack. You should know what triggers your asthma and avoid those triggers to prevent an asthma attack. Some usual things that can trigger your asthma include misusing medication, environmental irritants like pollution or smoke, stress, and infections.
3. Environmental Factors
Your environment has an impact on your health. Pollutants can irritate your throat lining and result in itchy throat. Smoke from traffic and cigarettes can make your throat itchy. Moreover, some places have cold and dry air that can also cause tickling in the throat. Avoiding these factors can help prevent a scratchy throat.
4. Dehydration
Water is essential for many bodily functions and not drinking enough of it can cause dehydration. It can make your throat dry and itchy. Maintaining hydration levels can prevent this issue.
5. Laryngitis
An upper respiratory infection, laryngitis causes symptoms like sore throat, fever, trouble swallowing, and dry cough. It occurs due to swelling of your larynx or voice box. It can also cause a scratching feeling in your throat. It is usually contagious and may require medicines and rest to recover.
6. Common Cold
A common cold is a viral infection that can happen to anyone. It can cause your throat to tickle alongside other symptoms, such as coughing and sore throat. If you are suffering from a cold, you should take plenty of rest and your symptoms may resolve in a week. You can manage it with home remedies or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. If your cold symptoms persist, contact a doctor as it can be a bacterial infection that may require antibiotics. Bacterial infections can also result in an itchy throat.
7. Sinusitis
Sinusitis, or sinus infection, occurs due to inflammation in the spaces of your nose. It can lead to mucus buildup and post-nasal drip, causing a ticklish throat. Sinusitis needs proper medication and may take some time to recover.
8. Strep Throat
A strep throat can cause an itchy and sore throat. It occurs due to inflammation in your throat due to bacteria. You can get strep throat when you come in contact with someone sick. It can accompany symptoms like fever, swollen tonsils, and lymph nodes. Your ENT specialist may advise medication to improve your symptoms, however not getting treatment can have serious consequences. It can persist for longer than a week, making it difficult for you to maintain your usual daily routine.
9. Acid Reflux
A symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), acid reflux or heartburn can cause the stomach acid to go up your throat from your stomach. You are likely to have acid reflux when you overeat or eat oily and spicy food. It can lead to an itch in your throat. If your throat feels itchy after eating, you should get checked for a gastric issue.
10. Throat Cancer
In rare cases, a tickling feeling in your throat can signal throat cancer. It can have other symptoms like weight loss, voice changes, and a lump in your throat. It is a serious condition, so if you have a constant itch in your throat contact a doctor as soon as possible.
Home Remedies For Tickle in Throat
According to family physician Simon Hodes, MD ChB, a mild tickle in the throat with cough can be treated with home care. However, the underlying cause must be diagnosed in order to treat it effectively. Here are some home remedies that can help eliminate an itchy throat:
1. Honey
A natural ingredient for soothing a sore throat, honey has healing properties that make you recover faster. It can stick to your throat due to its sticky properties and stop a tickle in throat. Mixing honey in warm water and drinking it can also soothe a sore throat and reduce inflammation in your throat. It can be beneficial in combatting symptoms of upper respiratory infections.
2. Salt Water Gargling
Salt water gargles can work wonders if you are looking for an instant way to eliminate an itchy throat. It relaxes your throat and lowers inflammation, improving sore throat that may occur due to viral or bacterial infections. Mix ½ teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water to try this simple sore throat remedy at home.
3. Lozenges
Lozenges are small, candy-like tablets that are known to provide relief from cough and sore throat. They are available over-the-counter and sucking on them can make your condition better.
4. Water
Do you forget to drink water every day? It can be bad for your health. All of our body parts need water and not getting enough water can have repercussions. Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day to maintain hydration. It will reduce the likelihood of an itchy throat due to dehydration.
5. Soup
Soups are warm and nutritious, making them a top meal choice when you have a cold. They can ease a sore throat and provide it with warmth to relieve the tickle sensation in your throat. Moreover, it is also full of nutrients that can help you recover.
6. Medications
Over-the-counter medicines are widely available to eliminate symptoms of cold and flu. You can use cough syrups and painkillers to manage viral illness symptoms. Antihistamines can fight against allergies and provide relief. If you have acid reflux, antacids can be effective in recovery. Contact your doctor if your symptoms persist.
Once the underlying disease is treated, you will feel better. For example if sore throat is the culprit behind your throat tickle, it has to be treated. Dr. Anup Sabharwal, ENT specialist with 27 years of experience recommends salt water gargling and a painkiller such as crocin as an the preferred initial treatment for a sore throat. Once the sore throat calms down, the tickling sensation in your throat should go away.
Preventing a Scratchy Throat
Some simple steps can help eliminate the cause behind a scratchy or itchy throat. Following are a few prevent that tickling sensation in your throat:
1. Avoid triggers
Track your allergies to prevent them by avoiding known allergens. It can keep you away from a scratchy throat caused by an allergic reaction.
2. Use a humidifier
A humidifier can ease your throat as it provides moisture to the air indoors. As the air moisturizes your throat, hydrates it, and prevents itching.
3. Improve immunity
It is vital to take steps to boost immunity during the cold and flu season as it can lower the likelihood of these infections. You can improve immunity by maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle. Enhancing your immunity can help prevent and treat infections faster.
4. Wear a mask
Lower air quality or pollution can lead to a tickling feeling in your throat. Wear a mask when you go outside, especially if you live in a place with pollution. Wearing a mask can also help prevent any infections that you may catch from others.
How To Stop A Tickly Cough Instantly
Sometimes, a tickle in your throat can be accompanied by a dry cough. Although there is no way to treat it instantly, home remedies such as hot water with lemon and honey, drinking ample amounts of fluids, soups, and ginger tea can help soothe your throat and reduce coughing.
Conclusion
Tickle in the throat is a common issue that is usually a consequence of another disease that involves the throat. It can be a pretty annoying feeling and while it may not be a sign of something serious, it can make you easily frustrated.
An allergic reaction due to seasonal or environmental allergy can cause a tickling throat. Moreover, any infection or disease that irritates the lining of your throat can also make your throat tickle from the inside. It can also occur due to throat dryness from dehydration or sore throat. It is important to know the cause behind your itchy throat to get proper treatment.
Usually, the tickling feeling in your throat will go away on its own or with some simple home remedies. These at-home treatments can moisten your throat and prevent itchiness. Saltwater gargles are one of the popular remedies that can soothe your throat and prevent it from tickling. Honey can also help eliminate the throat tickle and sore throat.
Sucking on lozenges – OTC tablets to alleviate coughing – can help you get rid of the tickle in your throat. Drinking water and soups can also help with treatment, especially for viral infections. If the reason behind your throat tickling sensation is a bacterial infection or other diseases, you may require medications to recover. Furthermore, you can prevent the tickling feeling in your throat by avoiding known allergens, wearing a mask, and following a healthy lifestyle.
