What Is Itchy Throat?

Itchy throat is very uncomfortable and usually painful. For some, it occurs with other symptoms like coughing, dry eyes and congestion. It also happens seasonally to people with allergies. Knowing what itchy throat is can help ease the irritation.

Identification

• Itchy throat is when the back of your throat feels irritated and you have a strong urge to cough to alleviate the uncomfortable feeling.

Features

• The throat is coated in mucus surrounding tiny nerves that cover the throat walls. Itchy throat occurs when there isn't enough mucus produced and the nerves are exposed to elements such as dry air and food particles.

Causes

• Itchy throat can be caused by excessive talking, pollutants (including smoke and inhaled drugs), throat infections, stuck food (or other foreign body), dry throat and allergies.

Allergies

• Oral allergy syndrome is a common cause of itchy throat. Many people are allergic to pollen, but if you are severely allergic to a certain kind of pollen, then breathing or ingesting any part of the plant the pollen comes from can trigger an itchy throat.

Solution

• Over-the-counter medications can help relieve itchy throat for allergy sufferers. Drinking hot tea can help relieve itch from dry throat and irritating pollutants. Infections should be looked at by a doctor.