Scratchy Throat with Blood in Phlegm

All of us have had a scratchy throat at some point or the other, in fact, some of us get it every year. The constant 'scratchy' feeling of something being stuck inside the throat can be really annoying, and the worst part is that you can't just take that out of your mind. It is constantly there, when you talk, when you sleep, and even when you wake up in the morning. There is the scratchiness and then you also have this feeling of phlegm built up at the back of your throat, in fact, at times the presence of the phlegm can also be felt and 'heard' by others when you talk. This is probably due to common infections like cold and flu. However, if you have been spotting blood when you cough out the phlegm, then you really need to be alarmed. Though this symptom of scratchy throat with the presence of blood in the phlegm can be due to something as minor as allergies, this can also be an indication of some underlying disease that may need immediate medical attention.

What Causes Scratchy Throat with Blood and Phlegm

There could be various causes as to why you are experiencing this condition. Though coughing is considered to be one of the mos common illness, like cold and flu, you must avoid 'self diagnosis and treatment' when it comes to a point that you are spitting out blood. Mentioned below is a list of causes that could give you a brief idea of what you can expect when you visit the doctor. Remember, these causes are listed for your own understanding of the situation and not so that you end up treating yourself!

Allergies
This is probably the most common, as well as the most 'mild' cause of this condition. You could have an allergy from pollens, or dust, or wood cinders that can irritate and block your airways and lead to the scratchiness and the blood in the spit. Though this is nothing much to worry about, you never know when an allergy can flare up and cause more than its usual share of trouble. So get yourself checked anyhow. Your doctor would most likely advice you to use nasal drops or antibiotics to get rid of the infection.

Pneumonia
Pneumonia is the first thing that your doctor would examine you for once the allergy part has been ruled out. Pneumonia is more likely to be the reason if you have scratchy throat and cough, and if you are having a feeling of heaviness and pain in your chest. Even if you are not coughing, it is best to get yourself checked for pneumonia to be on the safer side.

Cancer
Yes, blood in phlegm can be a sign of cancer. It is most likely a symptom of lung cancer, but can also be an indication of cancerous tumors in the throat or the tongue for that matter! If you have been experiencing additional symptoms like difficulty in swallowing, wheezing, and noisy breathing, along with the blood in the phlegm, then you need to get alarmed and rush to the hospital as soon as possible.

Respiratory Tract Infection
This includes a list of health conditions that would result when your respiratory tract has been infected. This includes common cold, sinusitis, bronchitis, pharyngitis, and influenza. The infection in your respiratory tract may also cause problems in breathing, hoarseness, coughing, fever, fatigue, and body aches. The symptoms can also include swollen lymph nodes in the neck and difficulty in swallowing food. The symptoms would differ depending upon the cause.

What to Do
If you have experienced this problem just today, you can try these remedies for scratchy throat for a day and see if you feel better. It is extremely important to visit a doctor if you have been dealing with this problem for more than 5 days in a row. I would suggest you to consult your doctor as soon as you notice the blood. Why take chances through delaying? The correct treatment can be done only through diagnosing the exact reason behind the condition. Your doctor will check your symptoms and conduct various tests including chest X-rays, allergy tests, throat swabs, and blood tests to check on the serious possible causes. The treatment would depend upon the test results.

The aforementioned are some of the most common reasons of having a scratchy throat with a bloody phlegm. You cannot simply avoid the condition as a delay in treatment will make things only worse. So, hope for the best, and in order to avoid the worst, get in touch with your healthcare specialist immediately.