Don’t overlook the symptoms of Itchy throat!

Have you ever done this? when you have an itchy throat or cough but you do not go to the doctor and wait for it to heal by itself? This will have a negative effect on your own health and may lead to other diseases without you even knowing it! Don’t worry, today, ACU PAY will take you to know the causes and how to prevent itchy throat. If you’re ready, let’s go!

What is Itchy Throat?

Itchy throat is a symptom that feels itchy and irritable inside the throat, causing frequent utter aham or coughing or even chronic coughing. It is a common symptom of allergies or can be a sign of illness such as Pharyngitis, flu, or sinusitis. In some cases, it can be caused by inhalation of substances or pollutants that cause throat irritation, which causes itchy throat.

What is the cause of an itchy throat?

Allergic reactions or Allergy: It is a common cause. The allergic reaction occurs when the body is exposed to allergens such as pet fur, dust, pollen, etc. Allergies range from mild to very severe. The itchy throat is classified as a group of symptoms that are not severe, but it is annoying because the body’s reaction responds to the stimuli that cause allergies.

Allergic Rhinitis or Hay Fever: It usually occurs when the body’s immune system responds to allergens such as pollen, fur, dust, smoke, or perfume, causing coughing, stuffy nose, and runny nose.

Pollution inhalation: This can cause itchy throat or irritation such as PM 2.5, cigarette smoke, cleaning products, and pesticides.
Flu: It is caused by viral or bacterial infection. It usually starts with an itchy throat before other symptoms follow, such as sore throat, runny nose, coughing, or headache.

Sinusitis: An itchy throat may be caused by a spasm flowing down the neck, especially when sleeping, and often with a chronic cold, green snot, and stuffy nose.

Complications of the itchy throat

Complications of itchy throat depend on the cause. Most causes are caused by allergies, which can cause complications such as;

Anaphylaxis: The most severe type of allergy can cause symptoms such as urticaria, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Most of them are found in patients with food allergies, insect allergies, and drug allergies.
Asthma: People with allergies are more likely to develop asthma which is an immune system reaction disease that affects the respiratory tract and breathing.
Nasalitis and Ear and Lung infection: It often occurs in patients with allergic rhinitis or asthma.
Allergic Fungal Sinusitis and Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis

Diagnosis of itchy throat

The doctor will diagnose the itchy throat, starting with history taking and asking about the symptoms of the patient, including daily life. For example, patients may have an itchy throat after going out which means that the patients may be allergic to dust or pollen outside their home. If a doctor suspects that the patient may be allergic to food, the doctor may have the patient record the foods they eat and the abnormal symptoms that occur after eating them.

In addition, doctors will examine the neck to check for symptoms such as swelling, redness, phlegm, signs of inflammation, and sinus or nasal mucus. Other tests include:

Allergy Skin Tests by giving skin contact with substances suspected to cause irritation or in some cases, doctors may use blood tests.
Blood Test or Throat Swab in case the doctor suspects that there may be a bacterial infection that requires antibiotic treatment.

Treatment for itchy throat

Allergy Doctors will give you an allergy medicine that is more effective in treatment than an allergy medicine sold at pharmacies for those who buy drugs by themselves but the allergy does not improve. Doctors may recommend changing the way you live your daily life, such as cleaning your bedroom to remove dust or dirt or having patients avoid allergens, which are different for each person.

Drugs that are commonly used to treat allergies are such as Diphenhydramine, Loratadine, Fexofenadine, and Bilastine.

Food allergy An allergy-specialized doctor will diagnose and test to confirm what kind of food the patient is allergic to. Then, have the patient avoid eating that kind of food and be careful about eating or checking the ingredients in the food every time.

Drug allergy If a drug allergy is found, which usually occurs after about an hour of use, it may cause symptoms such as rashes on the skin, urticaria, itching, fever, shallow breath, or wheezing, you should go to see a doctor immediately. The doctor may treat the initial treatment by discontinuing the use of the drug, giving an Antihistamine or Corticosteroid, or injecting an Epinephrine to cure Anaphylaxis.

Flu Doctors may prescribe Decongestants in conjunction with Nasal Irrigation to reduce symptoms of phlegm flowing down the throat.

Sinusitis The doctor will give you antibiotics, along with decongestant, mucolytic, and Nasal Irrigation to help relieve phlegm and reduce phlegm in the throat.

How to prevent itchy throat

The itchy throat can be prevented by avoiding the stimulation that causes allergies or protecting yourself from infection, which can cause colds, sore throat, or other infections that cause the itchy throat. Primary self-care can be done, such as

A sufficient amount of water should be drunk each day.
Gargle with salt water and baking soda, which reduces inflammation in the throat. Add 1 spoonful of salt and half a spoonful of baking soda and mix them in about 240 milliliters of clean water.
Use lozenges or sprays that cause numbness in the throat such as benzocaine, eucalyptus oil, menthol, etc.
Wash your hands frequently to prevent itchy throat caused by colds or various infections.
Nasal Irrigation helps reduce phlegm down the throat and helps to wash away allergens in the respiratory tract.

An itchy throat is a symptom that bothers you a lot, you may utter aham or cough just so you can clear your throat. Everyone should always stay healthy. Since the frequent weather changes, pollution is experienced every day, which is another thing that triggers an itchy throat. Anyone with symptoms of itchy throat, please don’t wait to get better on your own. You should see a doctor or follow our instructions. However, you should see a doctor first to know what’s going on, and getting medication is a good way.

References from

https://www.pobpad.com/%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%AD

https://www.petcharavejhospital.com/en/Article/article_detail/itchy-throat

https://www.sikarin.com/health/คันคอ-อาจเป็นเพราะสาเห