{"id":14431,"date":"2020-03-27T07:18:47","date_gmt":"2020-03-27T07:18:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=14431"},"modified":"2021-05-06T16:35:45","modified_gmt":"2021-05-06T16:35:45","slug":"14-common-causes-of-itchy-throat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-common-causes-of-itchy-throat\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Common Causes of Itchy Throat"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Ever dealt with the discomfort of an itchy throat? Mild or severe, an itchy throat is the most annoying condition one may have to endure in their lifetime. Treating an itchy throat involves dealing with the underlying cause which prevents one from taking medications meant for a totally different thing. In most cases, the condition can be corrected with simple Over-the-Counter (OTC) drugs and established home remedies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An itchy throat can be a symptom of dozens of medical conditions which makes it exceptionally important to consult a medical practitioner before going for the readily available OTC medications. There are several causes of an itchy throat, and the accompanying symptoms may help one narrow down to the most likely cause which then they can purchase the appropriate OTC drugs to help neutralize the condition. In this article, we shall discuss 14 common causes of an itchy throat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Allergic rhinitis (Hay fever)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your body is fashioned to fight back in the event of foreign invasion, but sometimes it abuses this mandate and gets a little \u201cdramatic\u201d when dealing with harmless substances. In the case of allergic rhinitis<\/a> or hay fever, as it is popularly referred to, the body overreacts to a harmless substance by releasing histamine, a defensive chemical to neutralize the \u201cinvasion\u201d. Because there isn\u2019t much to fight, histamine causes a reaction that among other symptoms leads to an itchy throat.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A recent study revealed that close to 40-60 million Americans are affected by this condition. Allergic rhinitis can either be seasonal or perennial. Seasonal hay fever occurs in the spring, summer, and the beginning of fall. They are often triggered by airborne mold spores or pollen from plantations like grass, weeds, and trees. Symptoms of perennial hay fever occur throughout the year. The common triggers for this form of hay fever include irritants such as dust, pet hair, cockroaches, and mold among others.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Food Allergies <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes the body reacts to certain foods as if they were toxic substances that can harm it. When your body acts \u2018weird\u2019 after taking certain foods, it might be because of an allergic reaction. This means that your body has \u2018blacklisted\u2019 the particular food and whenever you ingest it the body\u2019s defensive mechanism is put on high alert of an impending invasion. The protocol is clear; releasing histamine to neutralize the threat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Histamine would cause an immediate contraction of the smooth muscles and dilate the capillaries <\/a>as if it was responding to an injury or an inflammation. Because there is no real threat, one begins experiencing symptoms like sore throat among others that result from the response to the false alarm. Some allergies can be mild and normalcy would resume after a short while. Others, however, can be life-threatening and one should quickly see the doctor when the symptoms persist. The common triggers of food allergy include peanut, fish, eggs, and wheat, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Drug Allergies<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One is said to have a drug allergy when their immune system reacts abnormally to certain medications. Depending on the person\u2019s immune system, any medication even the common over-the-counter drugs like penicillin may induce a drug allergy. However, certain medications are more likely to cause a drug allergy compared to others. The most common symptoms of a drug allergy include rashes<\/a>, fever, hives, and an itchy throat among others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like food allergy and other forms of allergies, drug allergy can range from mild to severe. Severe drug allergy is characterized by life-threatening symptoms affecting multiple body systems. There is a big difference between a drug allergy, drug side effect, and drug toxicity. A drug allergy as earlier discussed is an abnormal reaction of the body\u2019s defense system to certain medications. Drug side-effect, on the other hand, is a foreseen reaction to a certain drug and often poses little threat to the person, while drug toxicity results from overdosing on a particular medication. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Strep throat <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Strep throat<\/a>, also called streptococcal pharyngitis refers to a common bacterial infection that causes a sore or scratchy throat. The infection is caused by the streptococcus pyogenes bacteria and is quite contagious, spreading through airborne droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. People may also be infected when they touch surfaces that had previously been contaminated by an infected person like doorknobs, bathroom floor, toilet seats, and utensils among others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other symptoms of strep throat include painful throat, difficulty swallowing, loss of appetite, red spots appearing on the roof of the mouth, fever, swollen lymph nodes, coughing, and frequent sneezing. The infection is self-limited, meaning its symptoms can fade away after a few days, normally 3-7 days. Nonetheless, it is important to seek medical help when the condition persists to prevent developing other serious complications like rheumatic fever.  Over-the-counter medications like aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen can help relieve the symptoms of strep throat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Tonsillitis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tonsillitis <\/a>refers to the inflammation of the tonsils leading to a sore throat and several other unpleasant symptoms. Tonsils are a collection of the lymphoid tissue forming part of the body\u2019s immune system. They are oval-shaped and located at the rear of the throat. Although tonsillitis is an extremely uncomfortable condition, it is rarely an alarming medical concern as most individuals recover from it within a couple of days without necessarily taking any medications.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The common cause of tonsillitis is a viral infection although it can also result from a bacterial infection. Besides a sore throat, the condition can also lead to difficulty in swallowing, reddening, and swelling of the tonsils, fever, headache, fatigue, coughing, swollen lymph glands, nausea among others. A severe case of tonsils can cause the throat to swell leading to breathing complications. This rarely happens but when you feel that the symptoms are worsening urgently seek medical attention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Flu<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Influenza <\/a>(Flu) is a common viral infection that targets the respiratory system. Flu is highly contagious spreading through respiratory droplets (saliva, mucus). One can also contract flu through physical contact like shaking hands and kissing. Flu is a seasonal epidemic in the U.S. and other places that experiences winter. Flu affects the lungs, throat, and lungs. It is common among groups with a weaker immune system (children, older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic diseases).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most likely symptoms of flu according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention include sore throat, stuffy nose, fatigue, fever, coughing, cold sweats and shivering, and loss of appetite, among several others. These symptoms develop almost immediately upon infection. The body can actually deal with the flu on its own as long as the patient rests and takes more water. However, when nothing seems to change after a while, anti-inflammation drugs can help create a relief. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. COVID- 19 (Coronavirus) <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Coronavirus<\/a> is a highly infectious disease caused by a new kind of virus known to attack a person\u2019s respiratory system causing life-threatening flu-like symptoms. The new disease that has since been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization was first discovered in the Chinese city of Wuhan. As of this writing, there\u2019ve been a total of 274,092 reported coronavirus cases globally with a death toll of approximately 11,352.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the common symptoms of this illness include a persistent cough, fever, difficulty in breathing among others. The infection spreads through contact with an infected person. Treatment for the disease is yet to be established and only precautionary measures are in place to prevent further infections. Experts advise maintaining social distance and practicing proper hygiene. Wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face and report any suspicious symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Throat Cancer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When cells of the through grow uncontrollably forming tumors, one develops the dreaded throat cancer<\/a>. Scientists are yet to fully understand the reason for rapid cellular growth although several studies and researches are underway to help explain the condition. Throat cancer is known to first attack a person\u2019s vocal cords spreading quickly to the voice box, and finding its way to the throat.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the early signs of throat cancer include an itchy throat, difficulty in swallowing, persistent cough. Vocal alterations, difficulty speaking, constant clearing of the throat, swollen lymph nodes, ringing ears, frequent nosebleeds, sudden unexplained weight loss, etc.  Early diagnosis is important in treating throat cancer. It can be difficult noticing that you have cancer but when you notice most of the aforementioned symptoms urgently visit your doctor for treatment and counseling. Throat cancer is a life-threatening condition and therefore one should not ignore these signs upon noticing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Asthma<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Asthma <\/a>is a respiratory disorder characterized by the inflammation of the airways (bronchial tubes) responsible for allowing air to flow in and out of the lungs. The airways swell prompting the muscles around them to tighten whenever there\u2019s a trigger for the symptoms. The swelling and tightening of the airways compromise the smooth flow of air in and out of the lungs causing coughing, chest pains, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Some patients with asthma report sudden itchiness of the throat shortly before feeling out of breath.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asthma can either be mild or severe that it can paralyze one\u2019s daily activities. In some cases, the condition is life-threatening, and therefore, one should always be on the lookout for the common triggers of the symptoms. The signs of asthma can be contained with inhalers. In severe cases, however, long-acting inhalers that keep the airways open for long and oral steroids are more effective. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Common Cold<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As the name suggests, the common cold is a common infection targeting the nose and throat. Unlike the flu, the common cold <\/a>is known to be caused by a variety of viruses. In most cases catching a cold is not a big deal as the condition often resolves itself within a few days. The common cold is highly contagious and can be spread through respiratory droplets while coughing or sneezing. It can also be transferred through contact with an infected person or a contaminated surface. Exchanging saliva and other skin-to-skin contact practices are sure ways of catching a cold.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the common symptoms of cold are a runny nose, congestion, sneezing, and an itchy throat. When your fever goes up or the other symptoms become severe, urgently see your doctor for further diagnosis and treatment. Also, remember to always cover your mouth while sneezing or coughing to avoid infecting others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Environmental allergens  <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are certain environmental factors likely to trigger a sore throat. These allergens <\/a>often cause conditions (some that we have earlier discussed) whose symptoms include an itchy throat. Like we discussed, the body\u2019s immune system often attacks these harmless environmental allergens causing a reaction that affects the throat among other respiratory organs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms from environmental allergies are different from one person to the next. However, some of the uniformly appearing symptoms include sneezing, coughing, itchy throat, and fatigue. Environmental allergies are not similar to food allergies given the latter is the body\u2019s immune system reaction to something you\u2019ve ingested. Environmental allergies are the system\u2019s response to allergens you\u2019ve come into contact with in your surroundings like the wind. One should consult the doctor when they have a severe case of environmental allergy.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. A side effect of medications<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We have already discussed drug allergies as one of the primary causes of itchy throats; let\u2019s look at the side effects of medications <\/a>as another cause. Actually there\u2019s a difference between the two. For starters, drug allergies refer to the abnormal reaction of your body\u2019s immune system to certain drugs. In this case, the body\u2019s defense confuses the drug in question for an \u201calien\u201d invasion and initiates attacks only to cause a reaction whose symptoms include itchy throat.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A side effect of medications, on the other hand, refers to a known reaction to certain medications. Side effects of medications are anticipated reactions from taking particular drugs. Some medications may lead to dry coughs and sore throats due to the reactions. An example of the medication with such side effects is the ACE inhibitors meant for high blood pressure. ACE inhibitors are known to cause itchy throat and a severely dry cough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Dehydration<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Water is used in important metabolic processes in your body. This includes the process of digestion and even removal of waste products in your body like urea and excess salts which would otherwise be toxic to the body. The lack of excessive loss of water in the body is called dehydration. This could be caused by many factors among them poor diets, excessive physical activities, and diseases like diabetes and malaria. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dehydration <\/a>poses several health problems therefore, it is important to take plenty of water. One common problem of dehydration is smelly urine. When the body lacks enough water, the removal of urea and other chemical components becomes a problem. This is because urea requires a lot of water to remove. The high concentration of urea, sulfur, and other chemical components in the urine causes it to smell foul. Always take lots of water to prevent this effect of dehydration and multiple other complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Cystitis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cystitis <\/a>refers to the inflammation of the bladder causing it to redden, swell, and be prone to irritation while urinating. Cystitis occurs when bacteria enter the bladder through the urethra then multiplies. The condition can also be caused by naturally occurring bacteria especially when they become imbalance and go rogue. Sometimes the condition can happen as a side effect to certain medication and hygiene products.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inflammation of the bladder can cause bleeding and pus discharge that mix with the urine causing a change in urine smell. Sometimes urine can pick up the foul scent from the bladder. Treatment of this condition depends on the underlying cause which can either be a bacterial infection or side effect to certain drugs and detergents as already mentioned. The disorder affects anyone, but mostly women. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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