Dry throat is a rough, scratchy, sometimes itchy feeling in the throat. A dry throat may be a temporary
condition created by weather or wind, but chronically dry throat may indicate the presence of disease.
Usually, having a sore throat is nothing to worry about, most are caused by cold and flu germs. In rare
cases, however, a sore throat can signal something much more serious. One of the first symptoms of
infection caused by the dreaded Ebola virus, for example, is a sore throat and strep bacteria, a common
cause of sore throat, especially in children, can spread like wildfire if it gets into the blood, damaging the
liver, brain, kidneys, and other organs.
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. Other causes of throat discomfort include
bacterial infections like strep or tonsillitis. Dry throat is also caused by tobacco or marijuana use, voice
strain, vomiting, excessive coughing, throat inflammation, allergies and, in rare cases, cancers of the
throat and esophagus.
Even though dry throat is not a very serious health condition, it results in various discomfort symptoms.
An untreated condition may progress to sore throat. Some lifestyle changes and homemade remedies
can help to reduce dry throat discomfort and they usually resolve the symptoms without seeking
medical advice. Following is a list of effective remedies for dry throat, which will relieve the discomfort
symptoms.
Consume lots of water. This method can help dampen the mouth as well as your throat. It is also
recommended that you cut back on imbibing liquids that could possibly cause throat dryness. These
things could certainly result in dehydration as well as worsens throat dryness. Fruit juices are good as
well; nevertheless a glass of water is certainly the right choice. Suck on candies or lozenges and chew a
gum. Lozenges can help relieve a chronic dry throat. Frequently, bad saliva production triggers dryness.
By sucking candies or even enjoying a chew of a gum you would be able to stimulate spittle production.
This could even help ease your throat. This is certainly just one of the easiest cures for dry throat.
Lemon and honey possess well-known throat-soothing properties. To ease the discomfort of a dry,
scratchy throat, drink warm water mixed with lemon juice and honey, or suck on a spoonful of honey,
lemon juice and cayenne. Gargling with a mixture of warm water and salt brings relief by clearing
away bacteria and improving the circulation in the throat area. Teas can hydrate a dry throat and
provide relief from throat pain. Common herbal tea ingredients with throat-soothing properties include
chamomile, licorice root, sage and eucalyptus. For a pungent yet soothing tea, simmer scallions and
chives in hot water. Breathing in humidified air reduces the irritation and pain of a dry throat and
prevents drying of the throat mucous during sleep. Both cool and warm mist water vaporizers also help
in soothing and moisturizing a dry throat.
Another way is to place one clove of honey in the back of mouth. Slightly suck on garlic clove throughout
the day. If the flavor of garlic is not appetizing, chop of garlic and add a small amount honey and lemon
juice for flavoring, take 1 teaspoon of the mixture daily. Garlic has strong antibacterial agents that can
fight a throat infection. Individuals who breathe through their mouth while sleeping are always at a risk
of developing dry throat condition. This is because of the fact that moisture from the respiratory tract is
removed at the time of inhalation and exhalation. For them, consulting a sleep expert is a must, so as to
seek advice regarding proper ways of breathing and/or breathing techniques.
As mentioned before, most dry throat problems can be cured with easy home remedies or over-
the-counter medications. However, if dryness in throat is persistent, it would be best to consult a
doctor as it could be a symptom of some serious health complication. For cough associated dry throat,
prescription cough drops and syrups can be taken as per the label directions. In case, there are no
prompt results even after following dry throat home remedies, it is imperative to get the problem
addressed by a qualified physician. After correct diagnosis, the physician may recommend appropriate
medication and lifestyle changes for treating dry throat.