Itchy Throat Remedy

An itchy throat is a condition, which can be described as a sensation of irritation, which may be accompanied with pain, a runny nose, difficulty in eating and talking, and a desire to cough. Otherwise known as strep throat or sore throat, an itchy throat can be caused by various reasons. Mild cases of itchy throat may subside within a few days and do not require any medicines. But you can resort to an itchy throat remedy to alleviate the discomfort and pain quicker. Read sore throat cure for more on the same.

Itchy Throat Causes

The throat has an inner lining of mucous membranes, which contain nerve endings. The inner walls of the throat, along with the nerve endings, are covered and protected by the slimy mucous secreted by the tiny glands in the mucous membrane. This mucous facilities the smooth flow of food and air through the passage. If, due to any reason, the mucous glands fail to produce enough mucous, then the nerve endings get exposed and irritated by particular foods, polluted air, etc. This condition is termed as an itchy throat. The main causes of an itchy throat are viral, bacterial or fungal infections of the throat, dry throat (due to fever, dry air or medications), allergies, acid reflux, continuous vomiting, diagnostic procedures (like gastric or bronchial endoscopy), singing or speaking loudly for a long time, infection of sinus or lungs, tumors in throat wall or vocal cords, etc. The causes of itchy throat may also include some psychological reasons. Read scratchy throat allergies for more on the same.

Itchy Throat Remedy

Itchy throat remedy depends upon the severity of symptoms. If the symptoms are very severe, which interfere with your daily activities or you suspect an underlying medical condition, then consult your doctor immediately. Mild cases of itchy throat may subside within a few days and you can resort to some itchy throat remedies to alleviate the symptoms. You can also take antibiotics for strep throat. The following are some of the itchy throat remedies, which can be used to get relief from the condition.

• Gargling with lukewarm saline water is one of the popular itchy throat remedies. Add 4 tablespoons of water to three cups of water and boil the solution. Use it for gargling, when it cools down a little. Repeat the process every few hours for better results.
• Another itchy throat remedy is ginger and honey tea. Make sure the solution is warm.
• As dehydration is one of the causes of itchy throat, staying well-hydrated can bring relief to the affected person (if the condition is caused by dehydration).
• For temporary relief, you can use throat lozenges too.
• Turmeric mixed with milk is also popular as an itchy throat remedy. You have to boil one cup of milk with one teaspoon of turmeric and drink it before going to bed. Repeat for three to four days for best results.
• Another home remedy for itchy throat at night is ginger. Take a teaspoon of ginger juice (freshly extracted) and add a teaspoon of honey. Now you have to heat the mixture slightly, till it becomes warm and consume it.
• You can also chew some garlic cloves daily, in order to get some relief from an itchy throat.
• A hot steam vaporizer can offer you instant relief, if you are suffering from an itchy throat. The hot steam is good for moistening your throat and also for opening up the nasal passages, if they are blocked.

Read scratchy throat remedies for greater detail. All the above said remedies can provide you with instant relief and have been adopted by people through the years, as itchy throat cures. Apart from these, you can also opt for over-the-counter medicines, like painkillers. However, if the condition persists, consult your doctor for itchy throat treatment. Medical attention is needed, if the symptoms are too severe. Like if there is a high fever, if there is blood in the phlegm or saliva or if there are additional symptoms, like ear pain, etc. This applies to those who develop an itchy throat due to some allergies. Recurrent episodes of itchy throat can be curbed with daily intake of vitamin C and by drinking lots of fluids. You must avoid certain triggering agents, that cause this condition.