First aid for itchy throat

You can deal with an itchy throat at home with the help of the following measures:

• Gargle: Add a pinch of salt in a glass full of warm water and gargle with it as it would help in relieving the dryness and itching of the throat. Salt heals the throat while the warm water soothes the itchiness. 
• Have soup: You can make yourself a bowl full of soup made with anything you like, such as chicken, vegetables, fish or any other ingredient. A warm bowl of soup would not only soothe your throat but would also provide you with nutrition as soups are rich in vitamins, minerals, bioactive ingredients and antioxidants.
• Drink lots of water: Dehydration could be one of the reasons for your itchy throat, so drink at least two litres of water every day to keep your body hydrated.
• Drink hot beverages: You can consume hot beverages such as black tea or green tea with honey and ginger as it would help in soothing your throat. Honey and ginger are said to have antimicrobial properties which can soothe your throat and can help in its healing.
• Lozenges: You may consume over-the-counter lozenges which can help in keeping your throat moist most of the time.

These are the things you need to keep in mind when you have an itchy throat:

• If you have an itchy throat due to allergies to pollens or dust, do not forget to wear your mask while going out. Avoid going out during spring and fall as these seasons bring along pollen in the air.
• Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol or caffeine as they tend to dry your throat thus exaggerating the itchiness in the throat.
• Clean any damp area in your house and surroundings or else it may result in mould spores.
• People allergic to dust must wash their bedsheets and other beddings weekly in hot water to avoid dust mites.
• Quit smoking. If you can't give it up altogether, then at least stop smoking while you have an itchy throat.
• Avoid spicy and oily food when you have an itchy throat.
• People with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) must avoid fatty and oily food to prevent regurgitation of stomach acid, which can also cause an itch in the throat. GERD and acid reflux—especially when the stomach acid reaches the larynx and pharynx, or voice box and throat, (laryngopharyngeal reflux)—is among the top causes of dry cough worldwide. And dry cough, as we know, can increase the itchiness in the throat.

Please remember that first-aid is not a replacement for seeing a doctor. First-aid methods help to soothe your condition or to prevent it from getting worse in the time it takes you to reach a doctor. You must visit a doctor if:

• The itch in your throat persists for more than a week 
• The itching in your throat is accompanied by a fever, cold, cough, dizziness, nausea and chest congestion
• The itching in the throat is accompanied by skin rashes
• You are having difficulty in breathing along with the itchiness in your throat