Causes of a Scratchy Throat

1. Allergies：A scratchy throat is often a sign of an allergic reaction, which means you've come into contact with substances that trigger your body's immune system. Outdoor irritants, food, and medications can all trigger allergic reactions and cause a scratchy throat.

• If you're not sure if you have allergies, it can be difficult to determine whether a scratchy throat is caused by an allergy or an illness. However, there are several ways to distinguish between the two. Firstly, allergies usually last longer than illnesses. Secondly, a scratchy throat caused by an allergen usually doesn't come with a fever.

• If your scratchy throat is due to an allergy, you may also notice other symptoms, including a stuffy or runny nose, itchy eyes, wheezing, headaches, and sneezing. Healthcare providers can help determine if you have allergies and, if so, what the allergens are.

• Pollen Allergy：If you're one of the 40 to 60 million adults in the United States suffering from hay fever, this specific type of allergic reaction could be the culprit behind your scratchy throat. Medically known as allergic rhinitis, hay fever is triggered when you come into contact with outdoor irritants such as pollen, dander, and grass, which set off your immune system. For some people, hay fever occurs seasonally. For others, this uncomfortable symptom may be present all year round. Besides a scratchy throat, hay fever often causes a runny nose, nasal congestion, and watery eyes. Although these symptoms are sometimes mistaken for a common cold, if your scratchy throat persists for a month or more, it could be a red flag for hay fever.

• Oral Allergy Syndrome：Oral allergy syndrome is a type of food allergy. People with oral allergy syndrome experience a scratchy throat when they consume raw fruits or vegetables. The scratchy feeling usually appears immediately after contact, but it may take up to half an hour to show up. If you're allergic to pollen, you may have this syndrome. This is because the proteins in some fruits and vegetables are similar to those in pollen. This similarity confuses the immune system and causes an allergic reaction. If you already have seasonal allergies due to pollen, eating raw fruits and vegetables may exacerbate your existing allergic symptoms. In fact, oral allergy syndrome is also known as pollen - fruit syndrome. In addition to a scratchy throat, other symptoms of oral allergy syndrome include throat swelling, as well as itching or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, and tongue.

2. Viral and Bacterial Infections：When you get an infection, the mucous membrane (protective lining) in your throat becomes inflamed. This inflammation can cause a sore and scratchy throat. Both viral and bacterial infections can lead to a scratchy throat, but it's more likely to be due to a viral infection. This means that the viruses causing viral infections such as colds, the flu, or COVID - 19 are responsible for the changes in your throat. More severe cases of sore throat, such as strep throat, are often caused by bacteria. Other symptoms vary depending on the specific illness. But generally, if an infection is the cause, the scratchy throat will soon develop into other more severe symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, cough, sore throat, and nasal congestion. The symptoms of these illnesses usually last from a few days to a few weeks.

3. Dry Air：The temperature and humidity of the surrounding environment can affect the mucous membranes of your body. This means that the inner lining of your throat may feel itchy or tingly, especially in winter and summer when heaters and air conditioners are more likely to be running continuously.

4. Digestive Problems：Your scratchy throat could be caused by common digestive system disorders such as acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In these cases, stomach acid climbs up the esophagus. The contents brought back into the digestive tract can affect your throat. You may notice other symptoms such as heartburn, a taste of food or stomach acid when food refluxes, nausea, or chest pain.

5. Certain Medications：A scratchy throat can be a side effect of the medications you're taking. Literature indicates that angiotensin - converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which are used to treat heart disease, may cause a scratchy throat. Angiotensin - converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are oral medications, but they can cause a scratchy throat because the drug irritates the upper respiratory tract. It's believed that this irritation is due to the inhibitor causing an accumulation of inflammatory substances. A scratchy throat can also be an allergic reaction to a drug. For example, if you're undergoing chemotherapy and experience a scratchy throat, it may indicate that you're having an allergic reaction. Other symptoms of an allergic reaction caused by chemotherapy include swelling of the mouth or throat and difficulty swallowing.

Ways to Treat a Scratchy Throat

1. Home Remedies：There are several steps you can take at home to relieve a scratchy throat.

• Gargle with salt water.

• Suck on cough tablets and cough drops.

• Drink a cup of hot tea with lemon and honey.

• Take a spoonful of honey to coat the back of your throat.

• Have some cool snacks like popsicles or ice cream.

• Use a humidifier to avoid dry environment.

• Spend some time in the steam of a shower.

2. Medications：Depending on the cause, some over - the - counter medications can help relieve a scratchy throat. These treatment options include:

• Nasal sprays for inflammation.

• Cold and flu medications.

• Allergy medications.

How to Prevent a Scratchy Throat

1. Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated.

2. Avoid consuming caffeine and alcohol as they can dry out your sinuses.

3. Avoid exposure to smoke to limit potential irritation.

4. Wash your hands frequently.

5. Close windows when outdoor allergens are high.

6. Avoid contact with any known allergens.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

1. Difficulty breathing or swallowing.

2. Fever.

3. Dizziness.

4. Nausea.

5. Hives.

Quick Review