Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Using natural remedies
• Method 2 of 3: Protect your throat
• Method 3 of 3: Using over-the-counter medications
• Warnings

Many people suffer from a sore or itchy throat during allergy season or the flu. Fortunately, there are several remedies you can use - both natural and medicinal - to quickly and effectively soothe an itchy throat. Go to Step 1 below to read about some of the most effective techniques and strategies to help soothe an itchy throat.

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Method 1 of 3: Using natural remedies

1. Gargle with a saline solution. Add half a teaspoon of salt to about 236 milliliters of warm water and mix well. Take a sip and gargle for about 10 seconds. Then spit out the saline solution and DO NOT swallow it.
   • The salt helps to get rid of the excess mucus in your throat, which makes your throat ticklish and itchy. It also reduces inflammation.
   • Repeat this 2 to 3 times a day until your throat feels better.
2. Eat some honey. Honey is a fantastic natural remedy. It coats the throat with a thin layer and quickly soothes tingling and irritation. For best results, you should eat a tablespoon of honey every morning.
   • Eat raw honey that is locally sourced if you can. This helps to build resistance to allergies.
   • Another possible option is to stir a tablespoon of honey into your tea if you don't like raw honey.
   • Never give honey to babies under 12 months old. The bacteria in honey can cause a condition known as infant botulism. This can be deadly.
3. Make a tea with honey, lemon and ginger. Pour a small amount of honey into the bottom of a cup, then fill the cup to the brim with hot water.
   • Then squeeze the juice from one to three lemon wedges into the cup. Finally, grate a small amount of ginger into the cup and stir the mixture.
   • Drink the tea several times a day to soothe your itchy, sore throat.
4. Drink milk with turmeric. This home remedy that can soothe an itchy throat has been used for many years.
   • Before going to sleep, boil a cup of milk in a saucepan with a teaspoon of turmeric (you can also mix the turmeric with water if you prefer).
   • Let the milk cool slightly before drinking it. Drink the milk every night until you no longer have a ticklish throat.
5. Drink apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is used in many home remedies and has a variety of health benefits - one of which is soothing an itchy throat.
   • Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to about 236 milliliters of hot water and drink it in small gulps.
   • You can also add a tablespoon of honey to the mixture if you prefer to improve the flavor.
6. Try horseradish. A popular Russian home remedy to soothe a sore throat is to make a drink from horseradish.
   • In a glass, mix a 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 and stir to mix the horseradish drink well. Then drink it slowly.
7. Use a humidifier. Living or sleeping in a very dry environment can dry out and itch your throat.
   • By placing a humidifier in your living room or bedroom, moisture is added to the air again and in this way helps to soothe a tickling throat.
   • If you don't want to buy a humidifier, you can achieve the same result by placing a large bowl of water under your radiator or by keeping plants in your living room.
8. Drink more water. Dehydration is one of the most common causes of an itchy throat. Your throat dries out and there is not enough mucus to moisturize and protect the sensitive tissue.
   • Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Also drink lots of green and herbal teas.
   • Drinking water is especially important when you have the flu or a cold, because you lose a lot of fluids through sweating (from the fever). You also lose a lot of mucus by sneezing and blowing your nose.

Method 2 of 3: Protect your throat

1. Get rid of bad habits. There are a number of substances that can cause dehydration and give you a sore, itchy throat if you use them too often.
   • Drinks that contain caffeine, such as coffee, tea, and soda, can cause dehydration and affect your sleep. So drink less of them or don't drink them at all.
   • Recreational drug use and certain medications (such as antidepressants) can cause dehydration and an irritated throat.
   • Cigarette smoking dries your throat a lot and can cause itching and irritation (along with a lot of other health complaints). So think about quitting smoking or at least smoking less.
2. Protect your voice. Talking, yelling, or singing too much can strain your throat, which in turn can cause dryness and itching.
   • If you think this is the cause of your ticklish throat, try to calm your voice by avoiding talking, singing, or shouting. Do this at least one or two hours a day.
   • If you have to use your voice a lot for work, remember to always keep a bottle of water with you so you can lubricate your throat and stay hydrated during your workday.
3. Treat your allergies. An allergic reaction to a certain food, plant or pollen can cause symptoms such as watery eyes, sneezing, a stuffy nose and a ticklish throat.
   • Try taking an antihistamine tablet daily to see if it relieves your symptoms.
   • Also, try to find out the exact cause of your allergy by keeping a journal of what you eat or by visiting your doctor for an allergy test.

Method 3 of 3: Using over-the-counter medications

1. Suck on a throat lozenge or cough candy. Regular throat lozenges don't do much to relieve your throat to cure, but they do relieve the pain.
   • The extra saliva that you produce with the candy in your mouth will moisten your throat and thus soften the ticklish feeling.
   • The medicinal additive in the candy simultaneously acts as a local anesthetic that numbs your irritated throat.
2. Try a cold and flu medicine. Some brands you can try are Zyrtec and Claritin. These cold and flu medications are made to soothe scratching and sore throats.
   • Common pain relievers such as aspirin and ibuprofen can also help relieve the pain caused by an itchy throat. Follow the directions on the package so that you are taking the correct dose.
   • Keep in mind that you should never give aspirin to children or teenagers who are recovering from chicken pox or flu-like symptoms. This can cause the rare but fatal Reye's syndrome.
3. Take a decongestant. Itchy throats are often caused by a combination of postnasal drip (a build-up of mucus in the nose that runs to the throat) and a dry throat (caused by breathing through your mouth when your nose is blocked).
   • A decongestant - such as one containing the substance pseudoephedrine - can therefore clear blocked nasal passages and allow you to breathe normally again.
   • Once these problems are resolved, the itchiness in your throat should go away.
4. Use throat spray. Throat spray is a great way to relieve an itchy throat and dry ticklish cough. Typically, such a spray contains phenol (or a similar substance) that numbs the throat.
   • Throat sprays are available over the counter at most pharmacies and are relatively inexpensive.
   • Some throat sprays even come in different flavors, such as peppermint or berries.
5. Gargle with mouthwash. Gargling several times a day with menthol-containing mouthwash (such as Listerine) will help numb your throat and soothe the irritating, itchy feeling.
6. See your doctor. If your sore, itchy throat is caused by a bacterial infection - such as streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat) or tonsillitis (tonsillitis) - you should see your doctor so he or she can prescribe you a course of antibiotics.

Warnings

• Pregnant women and people with breathing difficulties should not use a throat spray.
• Never take more than the recommended amount of a cold medicine, no matter how bad the pain. Also, do not under any circumstances swallow the saline solution you have prepared.
• If you have had problems with over-the-counter medications before, ask your doctor for advice before taking anything for your throat.