Dry throat, also referred to as sore throat (or pharyngitis) is mainly characterized by dry and scratchy feeling and at times a sore feeling in the throat. While you swallow food or speak this sore gets aggravated. It is a common medical condition that usually happens in the winter seasons. It can be symptom to a serious problem in the later stage and thus requires for medical attention.

What Causes Dry Throat?
As it is common during winter, viral diseases like influenza or cold may result in the drying of the throat but there are several other causes that leads to dry throat. Some of the important ones have been discussed below:

Dehydration: Parch throat is one of the main causes the throat to dry. During winters the low level of fluids in your body results in dry throat. So the intake of fluids should be more and salty foods should be avoided in order to avoid dehydration.uenza or cold may result in the drying of the throat but there are several other causes that leads to dry throat. Some of the important ones have been discussed below:

Smoking: Smoking cigarettes or any other form of drugs results in dry throat. Even smoking marijuana (the leaf of cannabis plant) can lead to this disorder. This leaf dehydrates the body’s fluids naturally and that is why you may also suffer from dry eyes and dry mouth if you smoke marijuana.

Allergies: Whether you suffer from seasonal or food allergy, it may also cause dryness and itchiness in the throat. You may also end up in having dry throats after using a lot of cleaning products used in the household comprising of strong chemicals. You should be very careful before using them.

Botulism Food poisoning: One of the symptoms of botulism food poisoning is dryness in the throat. Neurotoxins are produced during botulism that proves to be very dangerous to your nervous system and even to the tissues as well as the vital organs. It is very important to consult a doctor if one suspects of having botulism food poisoning.

Dry Air: The moisture level in the air reduces in the winter season and thus forces the dry and cold air inside our body when we breathe. This further result in irritating the throat membranes making them feels scratchy and dry. So you should humidify the surrounding air while staying outdoors for a long time.

Tonsil Problems: Tonsils usually appear in the rear of your throat thus assisting the immune system to block the germs that enter in the breathing passages. Swelling of tonsils, cancer, tumors, chronic tonsillitis can create an obstruction which blocks the saliva from reaching the throat. You can get rid of the dry throat only after you treat the condition.

Sjogren’s Syndrome: An autoimmune disease, which causes the body’s exocrine glands to damage the moisture production in salivary glands, resulting in dry mouth and throat. Though there is no particular cure for this disease but the treatments suggested by Sjorgen’s Syndrome Foundation usually include intake of fluids, having chewing gums and taking such medications that increases the production of saliva to keep the throat and mouth moist.

Symptoms of Dry Throat

The common symptoms of dry throat include scratchy and dry feeling in your throat, swelling and a pain while you swallow, talk or breathe. If dry throat is considered as a sign of cold, then you can even accompany it with several other signs such as fever, body aches, coughing etc. Dry sore throat is also one of the common symptoms of tonsillitis. Even the dryness in the throat can further lead to dry mouth and even dry lips. If the condition of the throat being dry continues for a long time, then you are most likely to have a sore throat.

Remedies That Will Sooth Your Dry Throat

Honey and lemon are said to have throat soothing properties. If the dryness in the throat is causing you a lot of discomfort then drinking a glass of warm water with honey and lemon juice will ease the discomfort. You can also gargle with warm water adding salt to it. This provides relief as it clears the bacteria as well as improves the circulation in your throat area. Having tea can give you relief from your throat pain. Pollution as well chemical fumes from household cleaners and cigarette smoking should be avoided.

To cure a dry throat that results from flu or cold, you should drink fluids and take adequate amount of rest and have foods that can be easily swallowed. Once the infection is cured, the discomfort in the throat also goes away. But if you suffer from high fever along with a painful throat for a week or more then it is always advisable to consult a doctor.

Ricola is known around the world for their cough drops that are natural and help with dry throat as well. More information on Ricola Throat Drops can be found at their main site.

Ricola Herb Throat Drops Lemon Mint – 24 Drops, Price: $2.23 – Description: Ricola natural Lemon Mint Throat Drops combine refreshing, natural Lemon Mint with a hint of menthol and Ricola’s delicious mixture of Swiss alpine herbs.Herbs have been used around the world for centuries. For over 75 years, Ricola has been making pleasant tasting natural herbal products for natural relief of the discomfort due to sore throat and minor irritation due to coughs, hoarseness, dry throat, and loss of voice. Ricola is nature’s way of calming coughs and soothing sore throats.  

Ricola Cough Suppressant/Throat Drops – Natural Honey-Herb – 2 Bags (24 ea), Price: $3.38 – Description: Cough suppressant/throat drops – natural honey-herb. Fights coughs naturally. Soothes sore throats. With natural honey. Ricola Natural Honey-Herb Cough Drops contain menthol in a blend of Ricola’s delicious Swiss alpine herbs and natural honey. Herbs have been used around the world for centuries. For over 75 years, Ricola has been making pleasant tasting natural herbal products for natural relief of the discomfort due to sore throat and minor irritation due to coughs, hoarseness, dry throat, and loss of voice. Ricola is nature’s way of calming coughs and soothing sore throats. Product of Switzerland.

Dry throat is annoying. It makes us feel disturbed and sometimes the pain becomes intolerable. Whole lot of solutions are there that one can apply but before you take the final decision, make sure that you are applying the right procedure. Above mentioned remedies will surely help you out get rid of dry throat. Besides those remedies, I can suggest you some more. It is a fact that natural remedies are far better than that of the medications. It is better to go for natural treatments to remedy dry throat  rather than that of the hard core medications.

Besides the above mentioned remedies, one of the best and oldest natural treatment to talk about is herbal tea. Daily consumption of herbal tea is not only good for your health but also for your dry throat. Presence of healing enzymes in the tea is good for dry throat. Pour ginger, eucalyptus, and lemon in the tea to make it more healthy. Drink fluids or fruit juice everyday so that your throat feel good. Drink plenty of water everyday, at least 2-3 liters of water everyday. This will also help you fight aginst dehydration.

Add moisture to your home by installing a vaporizer. This will also help you moisturize your throat fast and those who live in dry desert climate should definitely install a vaporizer as soon as they can. Chew sugar free gum as gum promotes saliva flow, which will ease your dry throat. Try to suck on lozenges or hard candy as that will help you get a fast relief. A dry throat accompanied by soreness or pain while swallowing may be an indication of a viral infection, such as a common cold, flu, mononucleosis or chickenpox. In that case you should consult a doctor and let him or her treat the infection. It is better not to treat the problem yourself because self-medication is harmful in this situation.