In most cases, a scratchy throat indicates the onset of a cold. However, it can also be about an allergic reaction, over-irritation or a stuck fish bone. Singers know that it’s important to moisturize and care for the throat area so that the voice doesn’t fail during a performance.
What is a scratchy throat?
Scratchy throat is an uncomfortably raw feeling in the throat. It is often followed by painful swallowing or sore throat. People frequently clear their throat or feel an urge to cough. Sometimes the scratching in the throat also manifests as a soft tickling sensation before moving on to the second stage.
Causes
Causes of scratchy throat may include overheating followed by cooling, excessive dryness of the air, and also allergic events or irritation from smoke. The causes of scratchy throat can be overheating with subsequent cooling, excessive dryness of the air, but also allergic events or irritations caused by smoke. For example, singers complain of a constant scratching in the throat when exposed to dry ice fog. Some people react with a scratchy throat when they smell a certain perfume. This may be a case of intolerance or allergy. It may be sensitizing ingredients that are perceived as unpleasant in the nose and throat. Inhalation triggers a scratchy throat. Excessive painting artists who ignore a scratchy throat from ingredients in paints not infrequently become allergic to paints later. A scratchy throat can also occur after eating certain foods. If you feel a scratchy throat after eating cheese containing histamine, shellfish or strawberries, you should consider an allergy test. In addition, air dryness and snoring can trigger a constant scratchy throat.
Diseases with this symptom
- Common cold
- Food intolerance
- Lateral trangangina
- Cat allergy
- Pharyngitis
- Laryngitis
Diagnosis and course
Diagnosis and course of scratching in the throat depend on the general condition. A doctor does not always need to be consulted for scratching in the throat. If one can determine what caused the scratching in the throat, one also treats it oneself. If the scratching in the throat is unexplained, persistent or noticeably caused by a foreign body, it should be examined by a doctor. A diagnosis is also needed if you notice swelling and scratching in your throat after eating certain foods. In most cases, it is not enough to avoid the food in question. Intolerable ingredients can also be processed in ready-made meals. In addition, cross-allergies or other food intolerances may occur.
Complications
As a precursor to a flu-like infection, scratching in the throat without countermeasures draws other cold symptoms such as a cold and cough. If the sore throat is caused by irritated vocal cords, further vocal strain or unrestricted nicotine use threatens temporary total voice loss – if the vocal cords continue to be overstressed, they can be permanently damaged. Laryngitis caused by viruses or bacteria is often the first thing to be noticed in the form of scratching in the throat; as a result, the mucous membrane can swell considerably and lead to massive shortness of breath. A malignant tumor of the larynx may be hidden behind hoarseness lasting for weeks in connection with the scratchy feeling in the throat. A foreign body sensation in the throat occurs in some cases with inflammation of the thyroid gland, which if left untreated can lead to significant functional impairment of the vital organ. Occasionally, chronically inflamed tonsils cause the scratchy feeling in the throat, and as a result, bacteria can spread throughout the body and cause damage to the heart, kidneys or joints. Furthermore, scratching in the throat can herald an allergic reaction to certain foods or an insect bite, which, without medical treatment, can cause a life-threatening state of shock in the worst case.
When should you go to the doctor?
The scratching in the throat usually has harmless causes. Nevertheless, if the problem persists, a doctor should be consulted. It is also important to see a doctor if there is swelling in the throat. If the affected person has other health problems such as headaches, dizziness, fever and malaise, it is important to see the family doctor promptly.An internist may also be contacted for diagnosis and treatment. In particularly complex and severe cases, it is necessary to consult an otolaryngologist. The ENT is the specialist for diseases of the throat, nose and ears. In most cases, different treatment options are available during a visit to an ear, nose and throat doctor than to a primary care physician. In addition, the specialized doctor has a greater wealth of knowledge to properly evaluate a throat condition. Often, the scratching in the throat occurs in connection with a viral infection, which is why it subsides on its own after one to two weeks. In this case, it is not necessary to go to the doctor.
Treatment and therapy
For inflammation– or cold-related scratching in the throat, people resort to proven home remedies. For nocturnal scratching in the throat due to snoring, air humidification is helpful. You should also drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. If you smoke or have to make a lot of phone calls for work reasons, this is another factor that can lead to a scratchy throat. If you have overstrained the throat, you can drink soothing teas or suck sage candies. The fact is: a dry throat is the gateway for bacteria and viruses. It must therefore be moistened as quickly as possible. If you go for a walk in cold weather with your coat open and your neckline low, you shouldn’t be surprised about a scratchy throat. Frequent talkers and people working in the fresh air must especially protect themselves from scratching in the throat. The latter harden with time. But if you’re not used to working outside, you’ll quickly get chilled. The scratching in the throat is the first signal that one is not as healthy as it should be. Udo Jürgens, who has to protect his voice from a scratchy throat, did not become famous for his chamomile tea for nothing. Many rock singers, however, make scratchy throat their vocal trademark.
Outlook and prognosis
In most cases, scratching in the throat is only a temporary symptom that disappears on its own and does not need to be treated by a doctor. The scratching in the throat occurs mainly during colds, flu and infections of the gastrointestinal tract. Here, teas and throat lozenges could relieve the scratchy throat and make everyday life more bearable. The symptom also occurs when a patient has used his voice for a very long time. After that, the voice needs to rest and not be strained too much. Treatment usually does not take place if the symptom does not occur for a long period of time. If the scratching in the throat is present for several weeks, a doctor should be consulted. In this case, there is a suspicion of inflammation, which must be treated immediately. The treatment itself takes place in the case of a bacterial inflammation with antibiotics and leads to success within a few days. Surgical intervention is very rarely necessary. If the voice is heavily used, the patient should always drink plenty of fluids to directly prevent the scratchy throat.
Prevention
Measures of prevention can be different for scratching in the throat depending on the diagnosis. Scratching in the throat caused by snoring and too dry air can be prevented with humidified air. Dry ice fog on a stage can be directed so that it does not envelop the singer. You can guard against cold-induced scratching in the throat by wearing warm clothing, toughening up, getting plenty of sleep and eating a diet rich in vital substances. Gargling, drinking plenty of fluids and inhaling can keep the throat moist.
Here’s what you can do yourself
A scratchy throat can be relieved with various home remedies. First, it is important to find possible triggers (cold or dry indoor air, allergies, etc.) and eliminate them. In addition to plenty of rest, drinking plenty of fluids is particularly effective. Especially herbal teas made from sage, thyme or chamomile soothe the respiratory tract and relieve the pain. Gargling with lukewarm salt water or chamomile and sage tea is also effective against unpleasant scratching in the throat. So do throat compresses, which can be applied either with water or with lemon juice, oil or curd. In case of severe scratching, a sweating cure helps, which can be supplemented with homeopathic remedies depending on the nature of the complaints. Swollen tonsils and a burning sore throat are treated with Belladonna, while a one-sided sore throat can be relieved with Lycopodium. If the complaints radiate into the ears, Phytolacca helps. In addition, typical home remedies for a scratchy throat help: hot milk with honey, warm milk, hot lemon, orange juice or warm beer.Wine and schnapps can also help due to their disinfecting effect – but only for sore throats without fever. Spices such as chili, cloves or ginger promise a soothing effect for mild scratching in the throat.