“Why is my throat itchy?”

An itchy throat is one of the earliest signs of sore throat, also known as pharyngitis.

When you have this condition, you may also experience the following in your throat, especially when trying to swallow:

• Inflammation
• Irritation
• Dryness
• Pain

You may also have swollen lymph nodes, a headache, or earache¹.

An itchy or sore throat may be an early sign of influenza or the flu, more commonly known in the Philippines as trangkaso. Other causes of itchy throat are bacterial and viral infections, allergies, and dry mouth.

In this article we will be discussing what itchy throat treatments many turn to for relief, as well as how itchy throat is better addressed by gargling antiseptics like hexetidine.

What causes an itchy throat?

Bacterial infections

Sometimes a sore throat is caused by the Streptococcus bacteria, in which case you may have “strep throat.” Your doctor may prescribe you antibiotics to fight this infection.

You might also have tonsillitis, or the inflammation of the soft tissue behind the throat. This is caused by both bacteria and viruses¹.

Viral infections

Trangkaso or flu can also be the culprit behind your sore throat. Flu, also known as influenza, may keep you sick for about a week or two.

Mononucleosis, another viral illness which gives you a sore throat, tends to linger for a prolonged duration, lasting even months¹.

Allergies

Allergies to pollen, pet dander, dust and mold may irritate your throat. This could lead to postnasal drip, wherein mucus drips into your throat, causing further irritation. Eating spicy food, smoking, and drinking hot liquids could aggravate your symptoms as well.

Dry mouth

When you experience congestion due to a cold, you may tend to breathe through your mouth. But even something as seemingly harmless as sleeping with your mouth open could lead to mouth dryness, resulting in a sore throat¹.

What are some itchy throat treatments?

Here are some home treatments that are popularly used to ease itchy or sore throat. Read on to further learn how to directly address the possible cause of itchy or sore throat. Read on to further learn how to directly address the possible cause of itchy or sore throat.

Gargling with salt water²

Gargling with water mixed with salt can loosen mucus in your throat and ease the pain.

Honey²

This natural substance has antibacterial properties, can speed up wound healing, relieve pain, and acts as a cough suppressant.

Hot sauce²

Although unusual, hot sauce has capsaicin, a substance which works against inflammation and relieves discomfort. Just put a few drops into a glass of warm water and gargle.

Using a humidifier²

A humidifier can keep the air moist and help open up your sinuses.

Although these remedies can temporarily alleviate your symptoms, they won’t completely address the causes of sore or itchy throat. Following this, it helps to gargle antiseptic to kill sore throat-causing germs.

How can hexetidine help?

Hexetidine is an antiseptic that can kill bacteria and fungi. It is often used as a mouthwash to fight infections and improve oral hygiene³. It may be used at the first sign of a sore or itchy throat to soothe and relieve symptoms by directly addressing the cause.

Additionally, it can also prevent tooth decay by protecting tooth surfaces and killing bacteria; improve color and tone of mouth tissues and gums; as well as reduce bad breath⁴.

A study showed that hexetidine successfully reduced the activity of the flu virus. It was also found to be effective against plaque, gingivitis and other microbes⁵.

When gargled properly, Hexetidine can provide oral protection for up to 12 hours⁸. In fact, a study found that chlorhexidine, a closely related compound, was not absorbed by the oral mucosa (the inner lining of organs and other body cavities⁶) after just a single rinse. This contributed to its long-lasting efficacy and safety for oral use⁷.

Get ahead of your symptoms

Whenever you feel as though you’re coming down with a cold or flu, don’t wait for your symptoms to get worse.

Gargling with hexetidine can help you stay on top of your oral and overall health.

If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.