Effective Home Remedies For Dry Throat

Introduction

We all complain about dryness of the throat from time to time. A dry throat can be a result of a variety of health conditions, like allergic rhinitis (inflammation/swelling of the lining of the nose due to allergy), common cold, flu (influenza), tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils), sore throat (a viral or bacterial infection of the throat) strep throat, (bacterial infection of the throat) and fevers. A dry throat can also be irritating and dry.^1-5 Probable treatment depends upon the cause of your dry throat.

Did you know?

• Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is a symptom of an underlying problem rather than a condition itself. source: Better Health Victoria
• Dry mouth significantly increases the risk of tooth decay and other oral diseases. source: Better Health Victoria
• Radiation therapy and certain cancer treatments can temporarily reduce saliva production and cause dry mouth. source: Better Health Victoria
• Lifestyle changes such as avoiding substances that increase mouth dryness, eating chewy and watery foods, and practicing good oral hygiene can help manage dry mouth. source: Better Health Victoria

What Causes Dry Throat?

The feeling of dryness in your throat can be caused due to the following reasons:

1. Sore Throat

A dry throat can be caused due to a viral or bacterial infection. Depending on the pathogen responsible, viral and bacterial dry throat have different symptoms. A dry throat can make swallowing painful. A dry throat can also be irritating and dry. It could be a symptom of strep throat, a regular cold, allergies, or any other upper respiratory tract infection.¹

2. Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is a group of symptoms that affect the nose. It is also called hay fever but is not caused by hay exposure, and it does not induce fever, contrary to what some people may think. Allergic rhinitis causes runny nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes.²

3. Common Cold and Flu

Common colds and flu are infections of the nose, throat, mouth, and lungs. They are caused due to viruses. Cold and flu share many of the symptoms, but cold symptoms are milder and develop more slowly as compared to flu symptoms.³

4. Tonsilitis

Tonsilitis (lumps of tissue at the back of the throat). Tonsilitis is usually caused by a viral infection. However, bacterial infections like strep throat can also lead to tonsilitis.⁴

5. Dehydration

Dehydration is defined as a lack of adequate water in the body. Dehydration can happen if you don’t drink enough water or lose a lot of water quickly. Our bodies don’t produce enough saliva to wet our throats when we’re dehydrated, resulting in a dry throat.⁵

Symptoms of Dry Throat

The conditions that cause a dry throat may also cause other symptoms, which vary depending on the cause. The symptoms are:

• A sore throat can give you cough and voice hoarseness (voice changes that make it sound breathy, harsh, or strained).¹
• Allergic rhinitis gives you a cough and makes the throat feel itchy.²
• Common colds and flu can cause cough and nasal congestion.⁶ 
• Tonsilitis can cause swelling in the glands of the neck and trouble swallowing.⁴
• Strep throat can cause painful swallowing.¹
• Dehydration can lead to a dry mouth and dry cough.⁵

A dry throat can lead to irritation and anxiety, many covid patients reported with the symptom of a dry throat, so home remedies might help initially. What I observed was a dry throat feeling waned off gradually, even without any intervention.

Dr. Nikhil Yadav, MBBS MD,CCEBDM

Suggested Home Remedies for Dry Throat

Home remedies to manage dry throat are:

1. Gargling With Saltwater

Saltwater helps in managing dry throat due to its bacteria-killing ability. It also helps to release mucus and relieve discomfort. Salt can be mixed with warm water and used for gargling.⁷

2. Honey to Manage Dry Throat

You can mix honey in warm water or tea and stir it well. Drink it several times a day or as and when required. Honey has natural antibacterial properties because it is effective in healing wounds, reducing inflammation, and providing pain relief.⁷

3. Hot Sauce to Manage Dry Throat

Hot sauce is made using peppers. These peppers help manage inflammation and provide pain relief. A little amount of hot sauce in warm water can be taken as and when required.⁷

4. Taking Lemon

Lemon juice with warm water can be taken several times a day or as and when required. Like saltwater and honey, lemon juice is good for dry throats because it can help break up mucus and provide pain relief. Furthermore, lemon juice is high in vitamin C, which can help to boost the immune system and give it more strength to fight off your infection.⁷

5. Herbal Teas for Dry Throat

• Clove tea

The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of clove tea help the body to fight off infections. It also provides relief to the throat.⁷

• Green tea

Same as clove tea, green tea also possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits, which are helpful in fighting bacteria and reducing inflammation. These effects provide relief to the throat.⁷

• Raspberry tea

Raspberry tea is a good choice for reducing inflammation and relieving pain.⁷

• Chamomile tea

Chamomile acts as a natural lubricant, which is beneficial if you are having trouble speaking and have a hoarse voice. Chamomile tea is also a great choice for relieving pain and reducing inflammation.⁷

• Peppermint tea

Tea made with peppermint is beneficial in providing pain relief in the throat and reducing inflammation.⁷

6. Air Humidifier

Dry air during winter can cause dry throat. A humidifier will keep the air moist and provide additional relief.⁷

7. Warm and Cold Fluids

Sipping on warm fluids like tea and soups or taking cold liquids like ice water and popsicles soothe the throat. You can try both warm and cold to see what works best for you. Drinking liquids aids in clearing the passage, keeping things flowing, and preventing sinus infections.⁸

8. Rest

You should put your head on a pillow and go to bed early. Physical rest for the body and voice can be beneficial to the throat. On the other hand, lying flat can cause swelling due to an increase in pressure at the back of your throat. To relieve pain and discomfort, try elevating the bed or sitting supported or in a chair instead.⁸

I’ve observed numerous patients reporting dryness and irritation in their throat for weeks following their recovery from COVID-19. It’s a prevalent long COVID symptom, but thankfully it typically resolves on its own within a month or two. You might find the home remedies discussed in the blog to be beneficial.

Dr. Arpit Verma, MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)

When to Seek Medical Help?

You should seek medical help if you notice the following:

• Worsening of symptoms
• The symptoms do not improve within a week or if they persist longer than a week.
• Severe sore throats regularly
• If you have a weakened immune system – For example, if you have a human immunodeficiency virus infection or are undergoing chemotherapy or taking immunosuppressive medication
• Trouble breathing and swallowing
• Blood in the saliva or the sputum
• Excessive drooling (in young children)
• Rashes on the body
• Dehydration
• Joint swelling and pain

Conclusion

A dry throat can have an underlying cause, probably an associated health condition. It is important to know the cause of dry throat to treat it. There are several at-home remedies that require some commonly found ingredients from the kitchen, which can help soothe a dry throat. But if your symptoms worsen, or present with any other health complications, seek immediate medical help.

Also Read: Home Remedies For Vomiting

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References:

1. Hay Fever (Rhinitis). Symptoms & Treatment. ACAAI Public Website [Internet]. Last updated on: 2020 Jun 17. [cited 2022 Apr 4]. Available from: https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/hay-fever/
2. The Common Cold and the Flu: Treatment, Symptoms & Causes. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. 2020 Dec 22. [cited 2022 Apr 4]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/13756–colds-and-flu-symptoms-treatment-prevention-when-to-call
3. Tonsillitis. Tonsillitis Symptoms. Tonsillitis Treatment. MedlinePlus [Internet]. Last updated on: 2017 Apr 11. [cited 2022 Mar 28]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/tonsillitis.html
4. Dehydration: Causes & Symptoms. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Last updated on: 2021 Feb 16. [cited 2022 Apr 4]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/9013-dehydration
5. Common Cold: Symptoms, Cold vs. Flu, How Long It Lasts, Treatment [Internet]. Last updated on: 2020 Apr 30. [cited 2022 Apr 4]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12342-common-cold
6. 6 Sore Throat Remedies That Actually Work – Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Last updated on: 2022 Feb 21. [cited 2022 Mar 28]. Available from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/sore-throat-remedies-that-actually-work/
7. Sore throat causes & treatments – Illnesses & conditions. NHS inform [Internet] Last updated on: 2021 Oct 28. [cited 2022 Apr 4]. Available from: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/ears-nose-and-throat/sore-throat

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