How to Soothe an Itchy Throat

Co-authored by Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH

Last Updated: December 17, 2022 References Approved

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

1
Gargle salt water.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Ritu Thakur, MA
Natural Health Care Professional
Expert Interview. 25 July 2019.} 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
Eat some honey. 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
Make honey, lemon, and ginger tea. 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]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Ritu Thakur, MA
  Natural Health Care Professional
  Expert Interview. 25 July 2019.}
4
Drink milk with turmeric. Turmeric in milk is a home remedy for soothing an itchy throat that has been around for many years.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Ritu Thakur, MA
Natural Health Care Professional
Expert Interview. 25 July 2019.}
- 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.
5
Drink apple cider vinegar. 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
Try horseradish. 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
Use a humidifier. 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
Drink more water. 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).

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Protecting Your Throat

1
Get rid of bad habits. 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
Protect your voice. 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
Deal with any allergies. 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.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Over-The-Counter Remedies

1
Suck on a throat lozenge or cough drop. 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
Use an antihistamine. 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
Try a pain reliever. 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]
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4
Use throat spray. 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
Gargle mouthwash. 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
See a doctor for severe or persistent symptoms. 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.

Expert Q&A
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Question

What is the best medicine for itchy throat?

Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
Board Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine Doctor
Dr. Andrea Rudominer is a board certified Pediatrician and 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 & Integrative Medicine Doctor

Expert Answer

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Try taking supplements that can ease allergy symptoms, like quercetin and stinging nettle.
Question

Is there anything I can drink to soothe an itchy throat?

Ritu Thakur, MA
Natural Health Care Professional
Ritu Thakur is a healthcare consultant in Delhi, India, with over 10 years of experience in Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Yoga, and Holistic Care. 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

Support wikiHow by unlocking this 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.
Question

What is the cause of an itchy throat?

Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
Board Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine Doctor
Dr. Andrea Rudominer is a board certified Pediatrician and 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 & Integrative Medicine Doctor

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this 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.

Warnings

Pregnant women 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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