Effective Home Remedies For Dry Throat
By Dr Ashok Pal +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr Ashok Pal
Last updated: Jul 23, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr Ashok Pal +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr Ashok Pal
Last updated: Jul 23, 2024Table of Contents
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.
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The feeling of dryness in your throat can be caused due to the following reasons:
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
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
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
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
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
The conditions that cause a dry throat may also cause other symptoms, which vary depending on the cause. The symptoms are:
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
Home remedies to manage dry throat are:
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
You can mix honey in warm water or tea and stir it well. Drink it several times in a day or as and when required. Honey has natural antibacterial properties because of which it is effective in healing wounds, reducing inflammation, and providing pain relief.7
Hot sauce is made using peppers. These peppers are helped manage inflammation and provide pain relief. A little amount of hot sauce in warm water can be taken as and when required.7
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
Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of clove tea help the body to fight off infections. It also provides relief to the throat.7
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 is a good choice for reducing inflammation and relieving pain.7
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
Tea made with peppermint is beneficial in providing pain relief in the throat and reducing inflammation.7
Dry air during winters can cause dry throat. A humidifier will keep the air moist and provide additional relief.7
Sipping on warm fluids like tea and soups or taking cold liquids like ice water and popsicles soothes the throat. You can try both warm and cold to see what works best for you. Drinking liquids aid in clearing the passage, keeping things flowing, and preventing sinus infections.8
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)
Also Read: The Duration Dilemma: How Long Does Strep Throat Last?
You should seek medical help if you notice the following:
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
A dry throat is a symptom of various conditions that makes the throat feel dry and irritated. It can be a symptom of strep throat, the common cold, allergies, or other upper respiratory tract illnesses.1
Drinking honey water, lemon water, gargling with salt water, and steam inhalation are some of the home remedies for a dry throat. There are some herbal teas that you can use to manage dry throat. These include green tea, chamomile tea, peppermint tea, clove tea, and raspberry tea.7,8
You can try drinking more water to get instant relief from a dry throat.5
No, dry throat and sore throat are not the same. Dry throat is a symptom of sore throat. Sore throat is the result of infection (either bacterial or viral). A sore throat can cause a feeling of dryness in the throat.1
Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
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