Understand the misery of an itchy throat
It is quite common for most of us to suffer from an itchy/irritated or sore throat at the times of change of weather/climate or when we are exposed to infection making us wonder whether it had to take over us when we have some important events to attend or have to attend to pressing assignments. Itchy throat could start off with pain or soreness in the throat that could also sometimes be accompanied with inflammation and redness. Itchy throat could develop as a result of infected tonsillitis or pharyngitis or may even be caused by the infection in the respiratory tract. Throat itchiness or infection could be bacterial, viral or fungal with the most common bacterial infection being caused by Streptococcus. An itchy throat could also be accompanied with cough, fever, pain and inflammation in the throat with swallowing and talking being painful and difficult.
Throat itchiness could be chronic or simple, with treating them with home remedies resting mainly on the cause. Itchiness and soreness of throat could be caused with strenuous throat activities like singing and shouting, exposure and intolerance to pollutants and irritants, bacterial and viral infections of the throat and respiratory system, excessive drinking and smoking, consuming very cold beverages, infected tonsils or could also be an effect of anesthesia after surgery or other more serious disease conditions like polyps or cancer in the throat. Most of the simple causes for throat itchiness can be dealt with simple home remedies.
Best home remedies for itchy throat
The simple but most effective home remedy for an itchy throat must have been heard by you from your grandmother, when you thought she did not understand modern medicine. Hot to lukewarm water can be used with salt to gargle. Make sure the water is of the right temperature to prevent scalding, also make sure the salt is just sufficient to provide an antiseptic effect. Excess of salt could further irritate the throat and make it itchy. Also it is best to understand that salt has a drying effect that could increase itchiness due to a dehydrated throat. It would also help to gargle with a mixture of equal amounts of peroxide and water, with gargling of all types done regularly helping in giving relief.
Cough, cold, sore/itchy throat have all been benefitted consuming spicy foods. This could cause irritation at first, but finally helps to get rid of the irritation in the throat with instigating the infection to be flushed out. Getting rid of mucus accumulated in the throat that causes the itchiness would be best met with taking foods that are rich in cayenne pepper. In addition a gargle with cayenne pepper works for some to get rid of the itchiness in the throat, but it could prove very discomforting and painful on the first occasion.
You would benefit from taking lozenges that not only soothe sore throat and irritation but also increase saliva to lubricate the throat. But long term usage of lozenges is unadvisable as it could sometimes dry the throat. Drinking a lot of fluids like warm water, soups, herbal teas help to remove dryness that brings about itchiness in throat. Honey in fluids proves very useful with its medicinal properties. You would treat your itchiness in throat best with eliminating dry air and make sure to use a cold air humidifier.
There could be no best remedy for itchiness in throat than using steam. The best way to get steam is by locking one in the bathroom and having a warm shower with the windows closed. The warm moist air proves heavenly on the itchy throat and helps clear it and ease mucus. It is also worthwhile noting that excess of steam that enters the rest of the house helps further in providing humidity that could prove beneficial. This could be accomplished by turning boiling hot water in the sink and draping one with towel and inhaling the steam. Alternatively water can be boiled on the stove and steam inhaled in the same way with covering oneself. Choosing a method requires great care to avoid scalding and burning and safety in homes with very small children.
Lastly the best home remedy especially for an itchy throat that is caused by respiratory tract infections is sleep and quality rest, this best of home remedies for itchy throats helps to renew and rejuvenate the infected body.