Everything You Need to Know About Throat Irritation
To improve the taste, try adding a tablespoon of maple syrup or a tablespoon of honey.
Itchy Throat Remedy
An itchy throat can signal allergies or infection. You can try popular home remedies, but ask your doctor first to understand the cause and the best treatment.
The most common causes of itchy throat include:
- hay fever (allergic rhinitis)
- food allergies
- drug allergies
- infection (bacterial or viral)
- dehydration
- acid reflux
- side effects of medication
Here are seven popular home remedies that advocates of natural medicine suggest may be helpful for itchy throat. However, note that herbal remedies are not subject to regulation by the FDA, so they have not been tested in an FDA-approved clinical trial. Always check with your doctor before starting any alternative treatments.
Gargle with salt water
- Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water.
- Sip and gargle for 10 seconds.
- Spit it out; don’t swallow it.
- Repeat 2 to 3 times a day.
Eat honey
Eat a tablespoon of honey — preferably raw, local honey — in the morning,
Drink hot ginger tea with lemon and honey
- Put 1 tablespoon of honey into a cup.
- Fill with hot water.
- Squeeze in the juice from 2 lemon wedges.
- Grate in a small amount of fresh ginger.
- Stir the beverage.
- Drink it slowly.
- Repeat 2 to 3 times a day.
Drink apple cider vinegar
- Mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar into 8 ounces of hot water.
- Once cool enough to drink, sip it slowly.
To improve the taste, try adding a tablespoon of maple syrup or a tablespoon of honey.
Drink milk and turmeric
- Over medium heat, in a small saucepan, mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric with 8 ounces of milk.
- Bring to a boil.
- Pour the mixture into a cup.
- Allow the mixture to cool to a comfortable drinking temperature and drink slowly.
- Repeat every evening until the throat itch is gone.
Drink horseradish tea
- Mix together 1 tablespoon of horseradish (natural horseradish root, not sauce), 1 teaspoon of ground cloves, and 1 teaspoon of honey in a cup.
- Fill with hot water and stir to mix thoroughly.
- Drink slowly.
Drink herbal tea
A variety of herbal teas are believed to soothe an itchy throat, including:
Other self-care for itchy throat can include the use of over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medications, lozenges, and nasal sprays, as well as OTC cold medications.
It’s time for an appointment with your doctor if your itchy throat persists or is accompanied by symptoms such as:
- a severe sore throat
- fever
- difficulty swallowing
- trouble breathing
- wheezing
- hives
- facial swelling
If you often get an itchy throat, there are lifestyle changes you can make to lower the number of incidents and length of this discomfort. This includes:
- quitting smoking
- staying hydrated
- limiting or avoiding caffeine
- limiting or avoiding alcohol
- limiting or avoiding opening windows or going outside during allergy season
- washing hands often during cold and flu season
If you’re experiencing an itchy throat, there are a number of popular home remedies that are recommended by supporters of natural healing. Remember to always check with your doctor before starting any alternative medications.
If self-care does not prove effective for you, visit your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Last medically reviewed on June 19, 2018
How we reviewed this article:
Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
- Herbal medicine. (2018).
medlineplus.gov/herbalmedicine.html - Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). What you need to know about herbal supplements.
hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/complementary_and_alternative_medicine/herbal_medicine_85,P00181 - Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017). Sore throat – Symptoms and causes.
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sore-throat/symptoms-causes/syc-20351635 - Soothing a sore throat. (2017).
newsinhealth.nih.gov/2013/03/soothing-sore-throat
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Medically Reviewed By
Elaine K. Luo, MD
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Everything You Need to Know About Throat Irritation
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An itchy throat can occur if you have allergies, an allergic reaction, or if you inhaled something irritating. But it can also be an early sign of illness. Treatment can depend on the cause.
Allergies are one of the most common causes of an itchy throat. An allergic reaction occurs when a substance called an allergen triggers an immune system response in your body. Examples of common allergy triggers that can cause an itchy throat include:
- animal dander
- dust
- foods, such as peanut butter, dairy, or strawberries
- mold
- pollen, found in trees, grass, or ragweed
Allergies can range from mild to severe. An itchy throat can indicate a milder, yet uncomfortable, allergic reaction.
Inhaling pollutants can also lead to an itchy throat. These might include:
- chemicals
- cleaning products
- tobacco smoke or vapor
- pesticides
Infections, such as the common cold or strep throat, can start as an itchy throat before progressing to soreness and pain.
An itchy throat may feel:
An itchy throat feels uncomfortable, and it can feel as if you need to clear your throat frequently.
It’s important to distinguish between the symptoms of an itchy throat and similar symptoms that may indicate other conditions. For example, an itchy throat doesn’t feel rough or raw, or make you feel as if you can’t breathe.
While an itchy throat isn’t typically a medical emergency, it can be an uncomfortable symptom.
If your itchy throat gets worse and is accompanied by wheezing, difficulty breathing, or painful swallowing, get immediate medical attention. Also seek medical care if your symptoms don’t improve with time or home remedies.
A doctor will diagnose the condition causing your itchy throat by first asking about your medical history. They’ll also ask what occurs when you experience an itchy throat.
For example, if your itchy throat occurs after going outside, it could indicate an allergy to outdoor dust or pollen.
If your doctor suspects a food allergy, they may ask you to keep a food journal. In the journal, you’ll track the foods you eat and any symptoms you experience after eating them.
Your doctor also may recommend allergy testing. This can involve exposing the skin to small amounts of known irritants. If the skin reacts to a particular irritant, this indicates an allergy. Some allergy testing can also be done through blood tests.
Common irritants include:
To make a diagnosis, your doctor may also examine your throat for:
- redness
- swelling
- other signs of inflammation
- sinus or nasal drainage
If you need help finding a primary care doctor or ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.
If your itchy throat is related to allergies, an antihistamine can help to block the body’s inflammatory response. Over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines are available.
If they don’t relieve your symptoms, your doctor may prescribe a stronger medicine or one that works in a different way.
At-home methods for treating your itchy throat include drinking plenty of fluids. You may also want to gargle with warm salt water and baking soda, which can help relieve inflammation.
Create the gargling solution by adding 1 teaspoon of salt and a 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to 8 ounces of warm water.
Using lozenges or throat sprays that have a numbing effect on the throat may also provide relief. These products contain active ingredients including:
If your itchy throat is caused by an allergen, avoiding that allergen can typically improve symptoms.
Avoiding known allergy triggers can help prevent an itchy throat. Take steps to prevent infection, including washing your hands frequently. This can help prevent itchy throat caused by common colds, strep throat, or other infectious causes.
Last medically reviewed on August 6, 2019
How we reviewed this article:
Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Seasonal allergies: Nip them in the bud.
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/in-depth/seasonal-allergies/art-20048343 - Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Strep throat.
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/strep-throat/symptoms-causes/syc-20350338 - Traylor M. (2016). How to tell if your sore throat needs a doctor’s visit.
health.clevelandclinic.org/2016/07/how-to-tell-if-your-sore-throat-needs-a-doc-visit/ - Upper respiratory infection (URI or common cold). (n.d.).
stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=upper-respiratory-infection-uri-or-common-cold-90-P02966 - Zoorob R, et al. (2012). Antibiotic use in acute upper respiratory tract infections.
aafp.org/afp/2012/1101/p817.html
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.