Dry Scratchy Throat

The dry scratchy throat sensation, is experienced due to bacterial or viral infection, which is also known as strep throat. A person can also experience scratchy throat symptoms due to straining of the voice box or due to allergies. Here, are the causes of a dry and scratchy throat and the effective scratchy throat treatment options.

Causes
Here, are some of the causes of dry-scratchy throat infection:

• One often experiences dry and scratchy throat during cold and flu infections
• Air pollution is another reason which leads to dry and scratchy throat
• Many times people suffer from dry and scratchy throat due to allergies of dust, pollen or cold weather
• Unhealthy habits like smoking or eating spicy, oily or cold foodstuffs can cause dry scratchy sensation in throat
• A person can get a dry and scratchy throat or voice, due to straining of the voice box.

Symptoms
As already mentioned, dry-scratchy throat in itself is a symptom, however, a person might experience other symptoms along with dry and scratchy throat, such as cough, or extreme itching in the throat. A person might also have throat muscle pain, redness of throat and difficulty in swallowing with dry and scratchy throat.

Treatment
Mentioned above were scratchy throat causes, which lead to dry and itchy feeling in the throat. Wondering, how to cure dry-scratchy throat? One can easily get relief from dry and scratchy throat by some simple home remedies. Listed below are effective remedies, which provide relief from dry and scratchy throat disorder.

Gargling: Salt-water gargling is one of the most effective remedies among all the various scratchy throat remedies, and is many times suggested by doctors to cure sore throat. To try this remedy, boil 2 glasses of water with 2 tablespoons of common table salt. Wait till the solution gets lukewarm, and use it for gargling and then spit out the solution. This remedy kills the bacteria in the throat and soothes the throat. You can use this remedy as many times in the day as you feel the need to, but use it at least twice in a day.

Lemon Tea: This is another tasty natural remedy for soothing a scratchy throat condition. To make lemon tea, boil 1 cup water for 2 minutes then add 1 teaspoon of green tea to it and boil for 1 minute more. Strain the tea in a cup, and add juice of 1 lemon to it. You can add honey or sugar for taste, repeat this remedy at least twice a day.

Garlic: This scratchy sore throat remedy is not suitable for people who can't digest hot food. To try this remedy, chew and swallow 2 cloves of garlic, if you find the taste of garlic too hot, take it with a teaspoon of honey. Garlic is antibacterial, and will help to cure scratchy throat.

Cough Syrup: Cough syrups provide good relief from cough, coughing, and dry scratchy throat. There are many types of cough syrups available over-the-counter, you can select cough syrups which are sedative or non-sedative, there are also specific cough syrups available for children and adults. So read the label properly on the bottle label before buying the cough syrup. You can take 1-2 tablespoons of cough syrup, twice a day.

Antihistamines: This remedy is suitable only for adults, and is to be taken if you are suffering from scratchy throat allergies, or are suffering from scratchy throat runny nose together. Buy antihistamines as over-the-counter drugs, and take 1 tablet twice in a day.

Lozenges: You can buy some throat lozenges, and suck on it, for an instant sore throat home remedy. There are different flavors of lozenges available. These can be easily carried in your pocket or purse, and are helpful for instant relief from scratchy throat.

Myrrh Gargle: Myrrh is antimicrobial, and soothes the mucus membranes. This remedy also helps to get rid of scratchy throat and dry cough. Add ½ teaspoon of Myrrh to 2 cups of lukewarm water, and then gargle with this water and swallow it. Repeat this remedy 3-4 times in a day, till you get better.

Tips for Treating Dry and Scratchy Throat
Follow these tips along with the above remedies when suffering from scratchy throat and cough:

• Drink lots of water when suffering from a dry-scratchy throat, drink around 2.5-3 liters daily. The water will flush the body, and help to heal the infection faster.
• Load yourself with vitamin C, you can either eat vitamin C rich foodstuffs, or take supplements. There are chewable vitamin C tablets available which you can carry with you and eat anytime you want.
• Along with water, you can also take fruit juices, the best one is pineapple fruit juice blended with a piece of ginger root.
• Avoid eating any spicy, oily or cold foodstuffs when suffering from dry-scratchy throat.

So, follow the above remedies and important tips to treat dry scratchy throat. However, if you experience extreme symptoms like fever, pain in the ears, dry-scratchy throat with swallowing tightness, or blood in phlegm, contact a doctor. It is also important that you contact a doctor, if you have tried the above scratchy throat remedies for two weeks and still haven't got relief from this condition.