The Truth About Itchy Throat: Causes and Remedies

Treating itchy throat early is important because it can be a sign of either a minor irritation or a more serious medical issue. To manage its symptoms, taking an over-the-counter medicine like Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol Amylmetacresol (Strepsils) Cool Sensation goes a long way.

There’s nothing quite as annoying as an itch you can’t scratch, especially when you’re experiencing a tickling, scratchy sensation in your throat that makes you want to cough or constantly clear your throat as if you’re judging someone. Whether your itchy throat is a simple reaction to an irritant or an early sign of something more serious, it’s a good idea to treat it right away.

Why Is My Throat Itchy?

Before we talk about remedies, let’s first go over the most common itchy throat causes¹ so you know what to avoid:

• Allergens such as dust, pollen, mold, and pet dander
• Dry air, which is common in air-conditioned and heated environments
• Irritants such as smoke, strong odors, and pollution
• Dehydration, which can cause dryness and irritation in the throat

Aside from these triggers, however, there are several medical conditions that can also cause an itchy throat, including:

• A viral or bacterial infection, such as a cold, flu, or strep throat, which can cause throat inflammation and irritation⁶
• Postnasal drip where excess mucus in the nasal passages flows into the back of the throat, causing irritation⁶
• Acid reflux or GERD where the backflow of stomach acid irritates the throat⁶
• Throat cancer whose symptoms include persistent itchiness in the throat that doesn’t respond to the usual treatments⁶

If you’re unsure what’s causing your itchy throat or want to know more about how to treat it, please consult a healthcare professional.

These lozenges are clinically proven effective against itchy throat, thanks to their ability to:

• Fight the growth of viruses and bacteria⁵  that exacerbate throat conditions
• Alleviate throat dryness by stimulating saliva production 
• Provide a mild numbing effect

Aside from medication, you can also make some lifestyle changes to make yourself feel better and avoid exacerbating your itchy throat. These include:

• Keeping your home clean⁷
• Limiting your exposure to potential triggers⁷
• Staying hydrated⁷
• Using a humidifier if you live in a particularly dry environment or use air conditioning⁷
• Gargling with saltwater — If your condition is caused by a viral or bacterial infection, gargling a warm saltwater mixture several times a day should help alleviate your symptoms³
• Drinking ginger tea — Known for its anti-inflammatory properties⁴, sliced ginger steeped in hot water for 10 minutes may help relieve the itchiness and irritation in your throat
• Taking a tablespoon of honey, which is a popular at-home itchy throat remedy thanks to its antibacterial and soothing properties², taken directly or mixed in with warm water or tea

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Take note, however, that if your itchy throat is due to an underlying medical condition, you also need to properly treat or manage it to get long-term relief. Please consult a healthcare professional for a treatment plan.

Aside from Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol Amylmetacresol (Strepsils) Cool Sensation for itchy and mild sore throat, Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol + Amylmetacresol (Strepsils) also has lozenges for severe sore throat, dry cough, and cough with phlegm.

When to See Your Doctor

If your itchy throat is accompanied by more severe symptoms, such as a high fever, intense throat pain, and difficulty breathing, you need to consult your doctor right away. The same goes for when your symptoms persist beyond seven days.

The Bottom Line: Treating Itchy Throat Early is Key

Considering how the condition can be a sign of either minor irritation or a more serious medical issue, it is important to treat it as soon as you begin feeling symptoms. If you’re unsure what’s causing it or experience persistent or more severe symptoms, please do not hesitate to consult your a healthcare professional.

Regardless of the cause and severity of the condition, however, taking an over-the-counter medicine like Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol Amylmetacresol (Strepsils) Cool Sensation goes a long way in alleviating your symptoms.

References:

1. Everything you need to know about itchy throat, available at https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317066. Accessed on 25 October 2024.
2. Honey for Your Sore Throat and Cough, available at https://health.clevelandclinic.org/honey-for-sore-throat-and-cough. Accessed on 24 October 2024.
3. Remedies for an Itchy Throat, available at https://www.webmd.com/allergies/remedies-for-itchy-throat. Accessed on 24 October 2024.
4. How Does Ginger Help a Sore Throat?, available at https://www.healthline.com/health/ginger-for-sore-throat. Accessed on 24 October 2024.
5. Spectrum of bactericidal action of amylmetacresol/2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol lozenges against oropharyngeal organisms implicated in pharyngitis, available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6276617/. Accessed on 24 October 2024.
6. Sore Throat. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sore-throat/symptoms-causes/syc-20351635. Accessed on 15 April 2025
7. Sore Throat Remedies That Work (and What Not to Do). https://www.healthline.com/health/cold-flu/sore-throat-natural-remedies#faq accessed 15 April 2025