how to get rid of a tickle in your throat

Having a tickle in your throat that triggers coughing can interfere with your sleep and even basic elements of your everyday life. In this article, we will go over the possible causes of a tickle in the throat, as well as home remedies you can use to help address the problem.

If you have a tickle in your throat, you will probably have a dry cough and a feeling of itchiness at the back of the throat. You might find the tickle more persistent and annoying when you're lying down. You might also experience itchiness in the ears.

tickle in throat

Contents

1 Causes of a Tickle in the Throat
- 1.1 Cold or flu
- 1.2 Pharyngitis
- 1.3 Acid reflux
- 1.4 Dryness of the throat
- 1.5 Postnasal drip
- 1.6 Environmental allergies
- 1.7 Side effect of medication
- 1.8 Smoking or breathing in "secondhand" smoke
- 1.9 Too much talking, or loud talking
2 Home Remedies for a Tickle in Throat
- 2.1 Aloe vera juice
- 2.2 Salt water
- 2.3 Ginger tea
- 2.4 Peppermint tea
- 2.5 Chamomile tea
- 2.6 Lemon and honey tea
- 2.7 Warm water
- 2.8 Elevate your head
- 2.9 Apple cider vinegar and water
- 2.10 Milk
- 2.11 Increase the humidity
- 2.12 Wash bedding more often
- 2.13 Honey
- 2.14 Take antihistamines
- 2.15 Increase your intake of vitamin C
- 2.16 Oregano oil
- 2.17 Garlic
- 2.18 Steam
- 2.19 Hot showers
- 2.20 Cinnamon
- 2.21 Cayenne pepper
- 2.22 Cumin
- 2.23 Echinacea
- 2.24 Onion and honey
- 2.25 Turmeric

Causes of a Tickle in the Throat

The irritation that can lead to a tickle in the throat and resultant coughing, can be caused by several different conditions or problems. Let's discuss a number of them here.

Tickle In Throat Causes And Treatments

Cold or flu

The flu and the common cold are caused by a large number of different viruses. Most of the time, we catch cold and flu viruses by getting the virus on our hands and then using our hands to touch our faces.

When we do this, the virus gets into our mouths and noses. From there, it makes its way into other parts of our respiratory system. This is the reason why regular hand washing is so important in cold and flu prevention. If your cold or flu infection happens to be confined to the upper airways (as opposed to the lower areas), you will probably find that you have a tickly throat and dry cough (as opposed to a cough that produces a lot of mucus).

Pharyngitis

Pharyngitis is another name for a sore throat (or inflammation of the pharynx). This condition can cause a tickle in the throat. Sore throats can be caused by viral and bacterial infections.

Acid reflux

Acid reflux is often also referred to as "heartburn." Acid reflux occurs when a bit of stomach acid finds its way up into the esophagus. It has quite recently been found that acid reflex can actually sometimes cause the symptom of a tickle in the throat. If you have acid reflux, you should see your doctor. This is especially important in order to try to avoid unnecessary damage to the esophagus and digestive system. People who experience acid reflux on a regular basis may be diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Dryness of the throat

General dryness of the throat (including dryness caused by breathing in very dry air) can cause a tickle in the throat. Air conditioning and heating can cause air to be very dry.

Postnasal drip

Postnasal drip (including postnasal drip caused by allergies) can lead to a tickle in the throat.

Environmental allergies

A tickle in the throat can be caused by allergies to substances such as, for example, dust mites, pollen, and pet dander.

Side effect of medication

Some drugs for high blood pressure (specifically angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors) can cause a chronic cough.

Smoking or breathing in "secondhand" smoke

Smoking or breathing in the smoke from other people's cigarettes causes irritation to the respiratory system, and this can cause a tickle in the throat.

Too much talking, or loud talking

Straining your voice box with loud or excessive talking can lead to irritation and a tickle in the throat.

Disorders or other conditions of the lungs and/or respiratory system: A chronic tickle in the throat that persists for a long period of time might indicate an underlying problem other than the ones we have already discussed. Make sure to discuss the issue with your doctor.

Home Remedies for a Tickle in Throat

There are many different home remedies that can be effective for a tickle in the throat. Let's go over some of them below:

Aloe vera juice

Gargling with aloe vera juice should help to soothe the tickle in your throat. This is because aloe vera is anti-inflammatory and soothing.

Salt water

Mix some sea salt in warm water, and use this solution as a gargle. Doing this will help to soothe itching and dryness. Salt water will also help to address any bacteria that might be present.

Ginger tea

Drinking warm ginger tea will help to ease the tickle in your throat. Many people find this most effective to do at night. Ginger is very soothing, and has anti-inflammatory properties. You can drink ginger tea several times a day.

Peppermint tea

Drink peppermint tea to help soothe and relieve the tickle in your throat. Try to make time for drinking this tea at least a few times daily.

Chamomile tea

Sip relaxing chamomile tea to help soothe your throat and relieve the tickle you're experiencing. As chamomile tea can make you sleepy, you might find it best to drink before bedtime.

Lemon and honey tea

Drink tea with lemon and honey. The heat of the liquid and the honey will help to soothe the itchiness. Lemon has vitamin C that will help boost your immune system.

Warm water

Sip warm water numerous times a day. The warmth of the water will help to soothe the inflammation and itching, and staying hydrated will prevent dryness.

Elevate your head

If a tickle in your throat is keeping you awake, elevate your head (for example, using extra pillows). This will be especially effective if the tickle in your throat is caused by postnasal drip.

Apple cider vinegar and water

Mix three tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in one glass of water (preferably warm). Gargle with this solution a few times a day. If you wish, you can add a bit of honey. This will not only make the liquid taste better, but also more effective (as honey has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties).

Milk

Milk has soothing properties that could help address the tickle in your throat. Many people find it effective to drink warm milk at night. Add a little bit of honey to make this remedy even more effective.

Increase the humidity

If dry air might be causing the tickle in your throat, you could consider getting and using a humidifier. One important thing to remember with humidifiers, however, is that they need regular cleaning and maintenance. If they are neglected, harmful mould can grow within them that will go into the air.

Wash bedding more often

If the tickle in your throat is caused by allergens and you find that it is more active at night, wash your bedding more often. Bedding should be washed once a week in hot water. You could also think about getting special encasing plastic for your mattress and pillows. This will help prevent more dust mites from getting in, and make it less likely that allergens will affect your breathing at night.

Honey

Consume (preferably raw and organic) honey by the teaspoon to soothe the throat and reduce inflammation. Honey (especially in its raw and organic form) has useful anti-bacterial properties. You can take honey several times during the day. To help prevent the throat tickle from happening during the night, take at least two teaspoons of honey before you go to bed.

Take antihistamines

If the tickle in your throat is caused by allergies, taking an anti-histamine might help to reduce this symptom.

Increase your intake of vitamin C

Increase your intake of vitamin C throughout the day. You can take a vitamin C supplement and/or eat more food containing vitamin C. Citrus fruits are especially prevalent in citrus fruit (such as oranges). Vitamin C will help to boost your immune system, and fight off any bacteria that might be linked to the tickle in your throat.

Oregano oil

Oregano oil is one of the most effective naturally antibacterial substances found in nature. You should be able to find a high-quality oregano oil at your local natural or health foods store. Make sure to read the instructions on the bottle with regard to dosages.

Garlic

Garlic is another of nature's most effective antibacterial substances. Add more garlic to your diet each day. You could consider eating some crushed garlic each morning, and then washing it down with milk. The milk will help your stomach deal with the effect of the garlic. If you wish to take garlic in capsule form, you can find such supplements at your local drugstore or health food store.

Steam

If the tickle in your throat is caused by post-nasal drip, inhaling steam might be helpful for you. Boil some water, and if you wish, add three drops of an essential oil (such as peppermint essential oil).

Put your head over the bowl of steaming water, and place a towel over the back of your neck and head (to hold the steam in). Inhale the steam for at least ten minutes. Blow your nose after you have done this. You can carry out this process two or even three times a day.

Hot showers

If post-nasal drip is causing the tickle in your throat, taking hot showers (especially before bed) might be very helpful. The steam from the hot water will be useful in helping to clear and soothe your nasal passages.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is an antioxidant, and has antibacterial and antiviral properties. Consuming cinnamon should be helpful for dealing with the tickle in your throat, especially if the symptom is caused by a virus or by post-nasal drip.

Cinnamon is useful for preventing the creation of excess mucus, and for getting rid of extra mucus that has already formed and is present in the throat. Mix cinnamon powder (a single teaspoon) in hot water. You should sip this drink slowly.

Cayenne pepper

If post-nasal drip is behind the tickle in your throat, cayenne pepper should be helpful, as it can be useful in eliminating excess mucus. Mix half a teaspoon of honey and half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper, and consume three times per day. You should continue with this until the symptoms have disappeared. Adding cayenne pepper to some of your meals each day should be helpful, as well.

Cumin

Cumin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that should be helpful in dealing with the tickle in your throat. Mix a teaspoon of cumin with water, and let this boil for a few minutes. After taking it off the boil, leave it for five minutes and then strain the liquid. Sip this drink slowly.

Echinacea

Echinacea is an amazing natural substance that helps boost the functioning of the immune system. This will help your body better and more quickly cope with any cold or flu virus that might be causing the tickle in your throat. Echinacea can be taken in many different forms. Check out the available products at your local health food store. You might find Echinacea in capsule or tea format. Make sure to read the instructions provided on the jar or box with regard to dosages.

Onion and honey

Mix one teaspoon of pure honey and half a teaspoon of onion juice. You should swallow this two times per day. Alternatively, you can mix honey, comfrey tea, and juice from baked onions and drink this one or two times a day.

Turmeric

Turmeric has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Add one teaspoon of turmeric powder to a cup of water, in addition to a single teaspoon of carom seeds. You need to boil this until you are left with one half cup of liquid. Once you have done this and you have taken the liquid off the boil, mix honey into it and drink. You should do this three times daily until your symptoms have disappeared.

References

[1] "Tickly Cough," http://www.avogel.co.uk/health/immune-system/cough/tickly

[2] "Why Do I Have A Constant Tickle in Throat?" http://www.doctorshealthpress.com/general-health-articles/constant-tickle-in-throat

[3] "How to Get Rid of a Tickle in Your Throat at Night," http://www.enkivillage.com/how-to-get-rid-of-a-tickle-in-your-throat-at-night.html

[4] "Cough that Lasts Might Be Sign of Underlying Problem," http://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cough-that-lasts-may-be-sign-of-underlying-problem

[5] "How to Get Rid of Tickling in the Throat," http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/askquestion/14333/throat-tickle-treatment-how-to-get-rid-of-tickling.html

[6] "How to Get Rid of a Tickle in Your Throat," http://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/how-to-get-rid-of-a-tickle-in-throat

[7] "Home Remedies for Post-Nasal Drip," http://www.top10homeremedies.com/home-remedies/home-remedies-for-post-nasal-drip.html

[8] "Best Home Remedies for Postnasal Drip," http://www.findhomeremedy.com/best-home-remedies-for-postnasal-drip

[9] "Echinacea," http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/echinacea#1

[10] "Home Remedies for Cough," http://www.top10homeremedies.com/home-remedies/home-remedies-for-cough.html