Diagnosis

A scratching in the neck usually has a specific trigger and does not have to be explicitly defined by a physician. Often the symptoms disappear on their own when the stimulus (allergen or environmental stimulus) is no longer present or when the cold has been cured. If the scratching persists or the cause is not obvious, a doctor should be consulted to make the diagnosis. The doctor may examine the throat and pharyngeal mucosa and, if necessary, perform an allergy test or a test for food intolerances. A general practitioner or an ENT specialist can be consulted to make the diagnosis.

Associated symptoms

Depending on the trigger, the scratching in the throat is accompanied by various symptoms. In the case of a cold with sore throat (pharyngitis), those affected also suffer from sore throat, rhinitis, headaches and coughing. Fatigue, exhaustion and a general feeling of illness also indicate a flu-like infection.

In the case of a lateral gangina, the pain radiates from the neck to the ear and the lymph nodes in the neck area are severely swollen. Fever and difficulty swallowing can also occur. In the case of an allergic reaction to pollen or animal hair, in addition to the annoying scratching in the throat, frequent sneezing and the discharge of clear secretions from the nose may occur.

The nasal mucosa swells, making it difficult to breathe through the nose. The eyes are reddened, itchy and watery. Due to the increased release of histamine in the course of the allergy, those affected are often tired and listless during the day.

A dry cough is characterized by a scratching or tingling sensation in the throat and a constant coughing irritation. The affected persons suffer from the agonizing irritable cough and since no mucus is coughed up, the dry cough does not bring any relief. This is called an unproductive cough.

Especially when falling asleep and at night, the coughing attacks lead to restlessness and insomnia. A frequent cause of irritable cough is a cold, in which pathogens penetrate the body and attack the mucous membrane of the throat. The inflammation triggers the cough reflex with which the body tries to expel mucus and foreign bodies.

The cough typically occurs towards the end of the disease. At first, those affected feel a constant scratching in the throat and a strong irritation of the throat, which leads to a dry cough. The dry cough is very tiring for those affected.

Later, as the cold progresses, a mucilaginous secretion forms in the airways which can be coughed up bit by bit. This is called a productive cough. But also an irritation of the respiratory tract by flower pollen, too dry room air, increased dust or smoke pollution can lead to a scratchy throat and irritable cough.

If the scratching of the throat is accompanied by a burning sensation, this can be a sign of pharyngitis. Other causes of burning and scratching in the throat can be a reflux disease that leads to heartburn. But allergic reactions are often accompanied by irritation of the pharyngeal mucosa, which leads to a scratching and burning sensation in the throat.

Other causes of a scratching and burning in the throat and mouth is the consumption of food that is too hot or spicy. If hoarseness occurs together with the scratching in the throat, this indicates an inflammation of the larynx (laryngitis). Other symptoms are difficulty swallowing, dry cough and problems speaking.

In severe cases, there may also be a temporary complete loss of voice. Those affected have the feeling that there is a foreign body in their throat and therefore they often clear their throat (compulsion to clear throat). Causes of laryngitis can be either an overstraining of the voice (especially people who talk a lot and frequently, e.g. teachers) or a viral or bacterial infection of the voice.

However, heavy nicotine consumption also leads to hoarseness in addition to a scratchy throat. A scratchy throat does not automatically mean that it is a cold. Frequently, the symptoms also occur although there is no infection.

The most common cause of a scratchy throat without a cold is probably an allergic reaction or food intolerance.Other harmless causes are irritation of the pharyngeal mucosa caused by smoke or chemicals and a too dry ambient climate. If the scratching in the throat lasts for a long time and is accompanied by a pronounced foreign body sensation in the throat, it can also be a disease of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland may be enlarged or inflamed (thyroiditis).

In most cases, an inflammation of the thyroid gland is accompanied by an autoimmune disease, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. The family doctor can examine the thyroid gland by checking the thyroid gland values in the blood and palpating the thyroid gland from the outside for abnormalities. In some cases, an ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland may also be necessary.

Scratching in the throat, which occurs mainly when swallowing, indicates an inflammation of the throat or tonsils. The mucous membranes of the throat or tonsils are inflamed and cause pain when swallowing. A simple sore throat is usually caused by viruses and can be treated symptomatically. Tonsilitis, on the other hand, is usually caused by bacteria (especially streptococci) and should be treated with antibiotics to prevent serious complications and secondary diseases (acute rheumatic fever or acute glomerulonephritis). This could also be of interest to you in this regard:

Sore throat when swallowing
Sore throat and difficulty swallowing