Itchy Throat Allergies: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Aubrey Bailey, PT, DPT, CHT is a physical therapist with over 20 years of experience in a variety of healthcare settings.
Remedies for an Itchy Throat
An itchy throat is a condition that can make it difficult for you to talk or swallow due to physical irritation.
There are many causes of an itchy throat, but allergies and infections are common reasons. You also may have an itchy throat after spending time around smoke, after talking for a long time, or simply getting dehydrated.
All potential causes of irritation result in the same thing: a throat that feels itchy, dry, and sore. Many causes of an itchy or sore throat resolve on their own in about a week, so treating your throat pain is a matter of reducing your symptoms.
Itchy Throat Remedies and Treatments
The goal of treating an itchy throat is to reduce discomfort, irritation, and painful feelings in the affected area until the condition heals. Remedies for itchy and sore throats focus on decreasing inflammation and irritation of the throat, as well as secondary symptoms like coughing.
Cough Drops, Lozenges, and Hard Candy
Many people use cough drops to help relieve throat itchiness or soreness. However, cough drops containing menthol may make your throat itchier in the long run. One study found that regularly consuming too many mentholated cough drops can make coughing more frequent.
Consider taking sweet hard candies to lengthen the time between cough drop or lozenge doses. This will allow you to benefit from oral menthol use without going overboard. Sweet candies can also help ease an itchy throat because it increases saliva production, which hydrates the affected area. A study also shows that a sweet taste can help suppress coughing.
Staying hydrated is important to help your body heal. Getting enough liquids can help keep your mucus membranes clear, preventing uncomfortable buildup in your throat. Warm temperatures can also help soothe the back of the throat for some people. Sipping on a comfortably warm drink is an easy way to stay hydrated and potentially reduce irritation in the throat at the same time.
While hot tea with honey is often used as a cough suppressant and a way to relieve a sore throat, plain honey can be effective, as well. Two teaspoons of honey may be as effective as certain types of cough medicines at relieving throat irritation and coughing. However, honey can occasionally lead to botulism — a type of illness caused by food poisoning — in children under the age of one year, so never give it to babies.
Humidifiers
If your itchy throat is a result of dry air or allergies, a humidifier can help. Increasing the humidity in the air keeps your throat from drying out as much when you breathe. It also helps keep mucus from drying and irritating the back of your throat, causing itchiness or coughing. You can also take a hot shower with lots of steam for similar results.
Ice Chips, Popsicles, and Cold Drinks
While warm drinks can help soothe sore throats in some people, others find that cold temperatures work better to numb their throats. Popsicles, ice chips, or very cold drinks can be helpful. These solutions also keep you hydrated while reducing any pain or itchiness that you feel.
Saltwater gargles are most effective for sore or itchy throats caused by bacteria or viruses. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt into 240 milliliters or 1 cup of warm water and gargle using the saltwater mixture several times daily. The heat may ease your throat irritation and the salt may help reduce mucus buildup.
When to See a Doctor
Not every itchy or sore throat will go away on its own. On occasion, your itchy throat may be the first sign of something more serious, such as strep throat.
Look in your mouth with a mirror and a bright light if you have a persistent itchy throat. Should you see white patches or a throat that looks red and swollen, you may have strep throat. Because strep throat is a serious bacterial infection, it will get worse without antibiotics. Talk to your doctor immediately so they can test you for strep throat and give you a prescription for antibiotics, if necessary.
Show Sources
Canadian Family Physician: “Honey for treatment of cough in children.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Sore Throat.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Strep Throat: All You Need to Know.”
Cleveland Clinic: “Sore Throat Remedies That Actually Work.”
Epidemiology: “Respiratory Symptoms Following Wildfire Smoke Exposure.”
Mayo Clinic: “Sore throat – Symptoms & causes.”
MedlinePlus: “Pharyngitis – sore throat.”
Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics: “Sweet Taste and Menthol Increase Cough Reflex Thresholds.”
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine: “Menthol Cough Drops: Cause for Concern?”
Itchy Throat Allergies: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Aubrey Bailey, PT, DPT, CHT is a physical therapist with over 20 years of experience in a variety of healthcare settings.
Updated on December 05, 2022
Jurairat J. Molina, MD, MBA is a board-certified allergist who has been practicing in field of allergy and clinical immunology for the past two decades.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
An itchy throat can be a sign of various allergic conditions. The postnasal drip that comes with allergic rhinitis (hayfever) may be a cause, as can a food allergy or oral allergy syndrome (OAS)—an allergic reaction that only affects the throat, lips, and mouth.
In some cases, an itchy throat may point to anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening whole-body reaction. (Breathing difficulties, dizziness, nausea, and hives are other symptoms.)
This article looks at the causes and symptoms of an itchy throat due to an allergy. It also offers tips on how to get rid of an itchy throat, including antihistamines, saltwater gargles, over-the-counter and natural remedies, and the avoidance of allergy-causing substances ( allergens ).
Verywell / Julie Bang
Causes of Itchy Throat Allergies
Allergy symptoms, including an itchy throat, occur when your immune system makes antibodies to fight off harmless substances that it thinks are a threat to your body. Many common allergic reactions are linked to the antibody immunoglobulin E (IgE).
Allergic reactions increase mucus production in your nasal passageways and sinuses. This can lead to postnasal drip—mucus that drains into the back of your throat. The inflammation caused by the reaction of the IgE antibody can cause an “itchy” sensation in your throat.
Allergies can be caused by substances in your environment, certain types of food or food ingredients, materials such as latex, medications, and insect bites/stings. The most common allergens include:
- Dust mites
- Pollen (trees, grass, and weeds)
- Mold spores
- Dog/cat dander
- Cockroaches
- Eggs
- Milk
- Soy products
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts
- Fish and shellfish
- Wheat
What Are Pollutants?
Itchy throat allergies can also be caused by inhaled pollutants. These can be found both indoors and outdoors. Common air pollutants include:
- Cleaning products
- Wood smoke
- Tobacco smoke
- Fragrances
- Pesticides
- Hygiene products
- Dust particles
- Gases
Itchy Throat Allergy Symptoms
Itchy throat allergy symptoms typically occur at the same time as other allergy symptoms. These symptoms commonly include:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Itchy eyes, nose, and mouth
- Fatigue
- Wheezing (whistling sound when breathing out)
- Shortness of breath
- Congestion
- Headache
- Runny nose
- Nausea/vomiting (associated with food allergies)
Itchy throat from allergies feels different than other medical conditions that affect your throat.
- Throat can feel itchy, ticklish, scratchy, or like you have to keep clearing it.
- Throat does not typically feel raw, painful, or like breathing is restricted.
What Is Anaphylaxis?
Allergic reactions can occasionally be life-threatening. This condition, called anaphylaxis, requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms include:
- Clammy skin
- Fast, shallow breathing
- Fainting or lightheadedness
- Fast heartbeat
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness
Itchy Throat Treatments
A variety of treatments are available for itchy throat allergies, including home remedies. Some target your immune system, such as antihistamines, while others aim to relieve discomfort in your throat.
- Antihistamines: These medications block the action of histamines—chemicals in your immune system that are producing your symptoms. Antihistamines are available over-the-counter and by prescription from your doctor. For example, Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec, or Allegra.
- Lozenges/cough drops: Throat lozenges and cough drops slowly dissolve in your mouth to help soothe symptoms of itchy throat allergies. These sometimes contain ingredients such as menthol or benzocaine that temporarily decrease throat irritation and soreness.
- Hard candy: Sucking on hard candy can help relieve itchy throat allergy symptoms by increasing saliva production and coating the surface of your throat.
- Fluids: If you aren’t well hydrated, you won’t produce enough saliva. This can make your itchy throat allergy symptoms worse. You’ll know if you’re hydrated by the color of your urine. Aim for a pale yellow color. Water isn’t your only option—hot teas or broth-based soups can increase your fluid intake and help soothe your throat at the same time.
- Honey: A spoonful of honey can coat your throat and temporarily soothe itching. If you don’t want to eat it plain, dissolve a couple of teaspoons in your favorite tea.
- Saltwater gargle: Add one-half teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water and gargle (don’t swallow it). Do this every hour while your symptoms last.
- Humidifiers and air purifiers: Treating the air you breathe can help relieve itchy throat allergies. Humidifiers add moisture to the air, and purifiers help to remove potential airborne allergens.
Oral Allergy Syndrome
Oral allergy syndrome, also called pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS), is a condition that occurs when a person has an allergy to proteins that are found in certain types of pollen, along with raw vegetables and fruits, and some types of tree nuts.
Scratchy, itchy throat is one of the main symptoms of this condition, along with swelling in the tongue, lips, throat, and mouth. These symptoms appear after you’ve eaten the offending food item.
If you have seasonal allergies and also experience these symptoms after eating these types of food, you might have PFAS.
Food Allergies Associated With PFAS
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, the following food allergies are associated with different types of pollen allergies:
- Birch: Cherry, celery, apple, hazelnut, almond, pear, peach, plum, kiwi, carrot
- Grass: Melons, orange, cherry, tomato, celery, peach
- Ragweed: Melons, cucumber, zucchini, banana, sunflower seeds
In order to treat this condition, you’ll need to avoid eating the offending foods in their raw form.
A Word From Verywell
While itchy throat allergies cause annoying symptoms, being proactive can help. See an allergist for allergy testing. Once you’ve identified your trigger(s), you can take steps to avoid contact.
Talk to your doctor about additional treatment options as well. In some cases, allergy shots can help your body get “used to” your allergen and decrease your symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell the difference between itchy throat allergies and COVID?
Itchy throat can be a symptom of allergies or other conditions, including COVID. If you aren’t sure if you are experiencing an allergy or an illness, take an antihistamine. If your itchy throat is due to allergies, the symptoms should resolve within about a half-hour of taking Benedryl. If an antihistamine does not resolve your itchy throat within a few hours of taking it, it is not allergies. If you suspect COVID, you can take an at-home test or call your healthcare provider for guidance.
What are some home remedies for an itchy throat?
Soothe your itchy throat with lozenges, salt water gargles, a bit of honey, and plenty of fluids.
What herbal teas are helpful for an itchy throat?
Herbal teas of any kind can help soothe an itchy throat. Hot liquids help break up the mucus that is contributing to your symptoms. Consider adding a little honey to coat your throat and help decrease irritation.
What can I take for itchy throat allergies at night?
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is a short-acting antihistamine that causes drowsiness. This makes it a good option for treating itchy throat allergies at night.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
- American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. Anaphylaxis.
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. Allergies and the immune system.
- Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America. Allergy facts and figures.
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Air pollution.
- American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. Allergy symptoms.
- National Health Service. Anaphylaxis.
- American Academy of Family Physicians. Antihistamines: understanding your OTC options.
- Cleveland Clinic. What the color of your pee says about you.
- American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. Pollen food allergy syndrome.
By Aubrey Bailey, PT, DPT, CHT
Aubrey Bailey is a physical therapist and professor of anatomy and physiology with over a decade of experience providing in-person and online education for medical personnel and the general public, specializing in the areas of orthopedic injury, neurologic diseases, developmental disorders, and healthy living.