How to Soothe an Itchy Throat

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Many people get sore or itchy throats during allergy season or because of the flu. Fortunately, there are a variety of methods you can use -- natural and medicinal -- to ease an itchy throat quickly and effectively. Relief for your itchy throat might just be a few simple steps away.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using Natural Remedies

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  1. [1] Add half a teaspoon of salt to 8 ounces of warm water and mix well. Sip and gargle for 10 seconds, then spit--do NOT swallow.
    • The salt helps to cut through excess phlegm (which can cause an itchy, tickling feeling in the throat) and reduce inflammation.
    • Repeat this 2 to 3 times per day, until your throat feels better.
  2. Honey is a fantastic natural remedy, as it coats the throat and quickly relieves any itchiness or irritation. For best results, eat a tablespoon of honey each morning.
    • Use raw, local honey where possible.
    • Stirring a tablespoon of honey into your tea is another viable option if you can't stomach the raw stuff.
    • Never give honey to infants under the age of 12 months, as the bacteria it contains can cause a condition known as infant botulism, which may lead to death.
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  3. Add a small amount of honey to the bottom of a cup and fill to the top with hot water.
    • Then, squeeze one to three wedges of lemon in. Finally, grate a small amount of ginger and stir.
    • Drink several times throughout the day to soothe an itchy, sore throat.
    • You may also try using tea that contains cinnamon or licorice root to help with the pain. [2]
  4. Turmeric in milk is a home remedy for soothing an itchy throat that has been around for many years. [3]
    • Before bedtime, boil a cup of milk in a saucepan with a teaspoon of turmeric (you can also mix the turmeric with water if you prefer).
    • Allow the milk to cool slightly before drinking. Drink each night until the itchy throat disappears.
    Find quick at-home remedies for itch relief. "When my seasonal allergies kick in, my throat gets so itchy and irritated. After reading this, I started sipping warm salt water, lemon-ginger tea, and local honey. The honey and tea especially provide quick, soothing relief without medicine. I'm glad to have easy, natural solutions right from my kitchen." - Amed M.
    Learn proper techniques to maximize remedies. "I'd tried honey and vinegar drinks before for my sore, scratchy throat but wasn't seeing much improvement. This article explained important details like using raw local honey, adding maple syrup to improve taste, and not exceeding a tablespoon. Now that I'm following the instructions properly, these remedies actually give me noticeable relief!" - Azaliah C.
    Discover new solutions from global home remedies. "As someone interested in holistic healing, I appreciated learning about international home remedies I'd never heard of. The turmeric milk and horseradish drink opened my eyes to new possibilities beyond honey and lemon. It's been exciting testing these traditional remedies from India and Russia in my own kitchen." - Latha G.
    Gain awareness of when to escalate to a doctor. "I used to just tough out any throat irritation until it went away. But this article outlined important symptoms like high fever and trouble breathing that mean I should see my doctor right away. Now, I know when home remedies are appropriate and when I need a medical professional. This could prevent me from ignoring a dangerous problem." - Sydney H.
    Did you know that wikiHow has collected over 365,000 reader stories since it started in 2005? We’d love to hear from you! Share your story here .
  5. Apple cider vinegar is used in many home remedies and has a broad array of health benefits -- one of which is relieving an itchy throat.
    • Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to 8oz of hot water and sip slowly.
    • You can add up to a tablespoon of honey to the drink to improve the taste, if you like. Maple syrup is a good alternative if you don’t like the taste of honey.
  6. In Russia, a popular home remedy for relieving a sore throat involves making a drink from horseradish.
    • In a glass, combine one tablespoon of pure horseradish (the plant, not the sauce) with a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of ground cloves.
    • Fill the glass with hot water, stirring to distribute the horseradish mixture, then drink slowly.
  7. Living or sleeping in a very dry environment can cause your throat to become dehydrated and itchy.
    • Placing a humidifier in your living area or bedroom will add moisture back into the air and help to soothe an itchy throat.
    • If you don't want to invest in a humidifier, you can achieve the same results by placing a large bowl of water under the radiator or by keeping plants in your living space.
  8. Dehydration is one of the most common causes of an itchy throat, as your throat becomes dried out and there is not enough mucus to lubricate and protect the sensitive tissue.
    • Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day and drink plenty of green and herbal teas.
    • Drinking water is especially important if you have a flu or cold, as you tend to lose a lot of fluids through sweat (from fever) and mucus (from sneezing and blowing your nose).
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Protecting Your Throat

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  1. There are a number of substances that can cause dehydration and lead to a sore, itchy throat when used too frequently.
    • Drinks that contain caffeine like coffee, tea and soda can lead to dehydration (and affect your sleep) so try to cut them out or at least cut down.
    • Recreational drug use and certain medications (like antidepressants) can lead to dehydration and throat irritation.
    • Smoking cigarettes is very drying on the throat and can lead to itchiness and irritation (along with a host of other health issues) so think about quitting , or at least cutting back.
  2. Things like talking too much, shouting, or singing can cause your throat to become overworked, leading to dehydration and itchiness.
    • If you believe this may be the cause of your itchy throat, try to give your voice a break by resting it (no talking, singing or shouting) for at least an hour or two each day.
    • If your work involves using your voice a lot, remember to keep a bottle of water on you at all times so you can keep your throat lubricated and stay hydrated throughout the day.
  3. An allergic reaction to a certain food, plant or pollen can cause symptoms such as watery eyes, sneezing, congestion and an itchy throat. Try taking an antihistamine tablet daily to see if this alleviates your symptoms. Also try to identify the exact cause of the allergy by keeping a food diary or seeing your doctor for an allergy test.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using Over-The-Counter Remedies

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  1. Regular throat lozenges don't do much to heal your throat, but they do alleviate the pain.
    • The extra saliva you produce with the candy in your mouth will lubricate the throat to relieve the itchy feeling.
    • Meanwhile, the medication in the drop acts as a local anesthetic which numbs the irritation in the throat.
  2. Antihistamines block histamine, a chemical in your body that can cause an itchy throat. Benadryl, Zyrtec, and Claritin are just a few brands of cold and flu antihistamines that are designed to soothe scratchy and sore throats.
    • Side effects of antihistamines may include dry mouth, dizziness, and headaches.
  3. Plain old pain relievers, also called analgesics, like aspirin and Ibuprofen can also help to relieve the pain associated with an itchy throat. Follow the directions on the packaging for correct dosage.
    • Keep in mind that aspirin should never be given to children or teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptom, as it can lead to the rare but fatal Reye's syndrome. [4]
  4. Throat spray is a great way of relieving itchy throats and dry, tickling coughs. They usually contain phenol (or a similar ingredient) which numbs the throat.
    • Throat sprays are available over-the-counter in most pharmacies and are relatively cheap.
    • Some throat sprays even come in different flavors, like mint or berry flavor.
  5. Gargling with a mouthwash that contains menthol (such as Listerine) a couple of times per day helps to numb the throat, alleviating the irritating, itchy feeling.
  6. Most of the time, an itchy throat will get better with at home treatment. However, if your symptoms last for more than 10 days, worsen rapidly, or are accompanied by a high fever, you should call your doctor. If you are experiencing wheezing or trouble breathing, hives, facial swelling, a severe sore throat, fever, or difficulty swallowing, see your doctor immediately. Any of these symptoms could signal a more serious problem.
    • An itchy throat could be the result of an allergic reaction to food or medicine, which could occur between a few minutes and a few hours after consuming the trigger substance. This can be life-threatening.
    • A itchy or sore throat may also signal a bacterial or viral infection that requires a doctor’s attention, like strep throat, tonsillitis, or the flu.
    • In some cases, an itchy throat is the result of heartburn or a side effect of medication like ACE inhibitors for high blood pressure.
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List of Food and Drinks to Help Soothe an Itchy Throat

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  • Question
    What is the best medicine for itchy throat?
    Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
    Board Certified Pediatrician & Board Certified Integrative Medicine Doctor
    Dr. Andrea Rudominer is a board certified Pediatrician and board certified Integrative Medicine Doctor based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Rudominer has over 15 years of medical care experience and specializes in preventive health care, obesity, adolescent care, ADHD, and culturally competent care. Dr. Rudominer received her MD from the University of California, Davis, and completed a residency at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University. Dr. Rudominer also has an MPH in Maternal Child Health from the University of California, Berkeley. She is a Member of the American Board of Pediatrics, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a Member and Delegate of the California Medical Association, and a Member of the Santa Clara County Medical Association.
    Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
    Board Certified Pediatrician & Board Certified Integrative Medicine Doctor
    Expert Answer
    Try taking supplements that can ease allergy symptoms, like quercetin and stinging nettle.
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  • Question
    Is there anything I can drink to soothe an itchy throat?
    Ritu Thakur, MA
    Natural Health Care Professional
    Dr. Ritu Thakur is a healthcare consultant based in Delhi, India. She has over 14 years of experience in Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Yoga, and Holistic Care. Dr. Ritu also works as a business consultant in the life sciences domain. She has successfully executed 150+ small to large-scale custom consulting projects for both established and development-stage companies. She received her Bachelor Degree in Medicine (BAMS) in 2009 from BU University, Bhopal followed by her Master's in Health Care in 2011 from Apollo Institute of Health Care Management, Hyderabad.
    Ritu Thakur, MA
    Natural Health Care Professional
    Expert Answer
    Try making a hot tea with a combination of turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger to treat your pain. You can also try having licorice root tea.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    What is the cause of an itchy throat?
    Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
    Board Certified Pediatrician & Board Certified Integrative Medicine Doctor
    Dr. Andrea Rudominer is a board certified Pediatrician and board certified Integrative Medicine Doctor based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Rudominer has over 15 years of medical care experience and specializes in preventive health care, obesity, adolescent care, ADHD, and culturally competent care. Dr. Rudominer received her MD from the University of California, Davis, and completed a residency at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University. Dr. Rudominer also has an MPH in Maternal Child Health from the University of California, Berkeley. She is a Member of the American Board of Pediatrics, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a Member and Delegate of the California Medical Association, and a Member of the Santa Clara County Medical Association.
    Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
    Board Certified Pediatrician & Board Certified Integrative Medicine Doctor
    Expert Answer
    Allergies can cause an itchy throat and are often triggered by dust mites in your home. Vacuum daily and consider using an air purifier in your home. In addition, wash any fluffy blankets or stuffed animals in your home every few days with hot water. If it's possible, keep the windows in your home closed to reduce the amount of pollen inside, which can help ease any allergies.
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      Warnings

      • Pregnant people and people that have trouble breathing should avoid throat spray.
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      • If you've had problems with over-the-counter medications in the past, check with your doctor before taking anything for your throat.
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      • No matter how much it hurts, don't take more than the recommended amount of cold medicine, and do not Swallow salt water.
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      • Find out your allergies before taking honey.
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      References

      1. ↑ Ritu Thakur, MA. Natural Health Care Professional. Expert Interview. 25 July 2019.
      2. ↑ Ritu Thakur, MA. Natural Health Care Professional. Expert Interview. 25 July 2019.
      3. ↑ Ritu Thakur, MA. Natural Health Care Professional. Expert Interview. 25 July 2019.
      4. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/reyes-syndrome/basics/definition/con-20020083
      5. http://www.newhealthguide.org/Itchy-Throat.html
      6. http://www.md-health.com/Itchy-Throat.html
      7. https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/understanding-sore-throat-basics

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To soothe an itchy throat, gargle salt water for 10 seconds and then spit it out. You can also eat a spoonful of honey or add some to your tea, which will coat your throat so it's less itchy. Also, make sure you're drinking at least 8 glasses of water throughout the day since dehydration can make an itchy throat feel worse. If natural remedies aren't helping, suck on a throat lozenge or take an over-the-counter pain reliever to get rid of your itchy throat. To learn more from our Registered Nurse co-author, like how to determine if your throat is itchy from allergies or something more severe, keep reading!

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