It tickles the throat and causes a dry cough, what is it?

Tickling throat - colds

Viruses or bacteria enter the body through airborne droplets; they primarily affect the nasal mucosa, where foreign microorganisms are fought, but some of them still penetrate further. The mucous membranes of the larynx are affected, and the patient begins to experience tickling and coughing attacks. Common colds that cause similar symptoms include:

Pharyngitis

Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the upper respiratory tract of a viral nature, which can manifest itself equally in adults and children. It is expressed in redness of the throat, slight enlargement of the tonsils, and painful sensations when swallowing. Less commonly, pharyngitis is bacterial, allergic or fungal in nature.

Laryngitis

Laryngitis is also a cold-like disease caused when the corresponding virus, streptococcal or staphylococcal bacteria enters the body. Often these microorganisms are already present in the oral cavity and begin to actively multiply when the immune system is weakened due to exposure to various factors.

Sore throat or tonsillitis

The causative agents of this severe throat infection are most often bacteria that affect the tonsils. In this case, the patient feels a tickling in the throat, quickly turning into a sharp pain, and the inability to swallow food. A significant increase in temperature is observed. There is noticeable redness on the back wall of the pharynx and the tonsils themselves, and sometimes a gray coating or purulent formations appear.

Whooping cough

Whooping cough is a disease of bacterial nature. It mainly affects children, transmitted from a sick person through airborne droplets. A characteristic symptom of whooping cough is a severe paroxysmal cough.

Bronchitis

Bronchitis develops mainly in cases where the inflammation of the upper respiratory tract has not been given enough attention. In this case, the patient feels a tickling in the throat and a frequent urge to cough, which becomes much deeper, since the phlegm is already deep in the bronchi.

Pneumonia or pneumonia

Pneumonia or pneumonia, this disease is often confused with ARVI, since it has similar symptoms at the very beginning. The patient complains of a tickling in the throat, as a result of which he is constantly tormented by a dry, irritating cough. But further manifestations in the form of high fever and sputum of an atypical rusty hue indicate a serious problem with the lungs.

These are the main respiratory diseases that affect a person due to weakened immunity due to hypothermia or as a result of contact with infected people.

Possible diseases

• Thus, most often a tickling in the throat and a dry cough that follows it are a consequence of the development of:
• 1 Pharyngitis, sore throat, tonsillitis and other acute respiratory infections.
• Pathogenic microorganisms settle on the surface of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity and nasopharynx, as a result of which an inflammatory process begins to develop.

Under the influence of inflammatory mediators (certain types of cells), tissues swell, which causes discomfort.

Soon after this, the patient feels that his throat hurts (on one side or both at once) and a dry cough appears, which can bring him to tears.

It is important to distinguish sore throat, which is a disease of bacterial origin, from viral infections. She will have a white throat, which is very sore, but there is no runny nose. With tonsillitis, the presence of a whitish coating on the tonsils and posterior wall is always combined with nasal congestion.

2 Allergies.

Increased sensitivity to certain substances in the air leads to the release of histamine, which also results in tissue swelling.

At the same time, in addition to the fact that your throat tickles and you want to cough, you may experience bouts of sneezing, nasal congestion, lacrimation and weakness. But often all symptoms disappear after eliminating the source of allergens (animal, aquarium, household chemicals, plant pollen, etc.).

3 Bronchial asthma.

This insidious disease may not be recognized at first, since it manifests itself only by the occasional cough during deep inhalation and exhalation. Subsequently, the attacks begin to be annoying at night, and when you inhale, you can hear a characteristic whistle.

4 Adenoiditis.

Inflammation of the nasopharyngeal tonsil is usually found in preschool children and is manifested by frequent exacerbations, especially after a cold. Symptoms of the pathology include snoring and a runny nose, and upon visual examination, the back wall of the throat is often covered with dripping snot.

5 Reflux disease, gastritis and other gastrointestinal diseases.

If there are disturbances in the functioning of the digestive system, gastric juice can enter the esophagus and provoke inflammation of its mucous membrane. If this persists for a long time, breathing difficulties gradually begin to arise. You can suspect the presence of problems with the gastrointestinal tract by the presence of heaviness and pain in the abdomen, increased gas formation, heartburn, etc.

Thus, one of these inflammatory pathologies most often causes discomfort in the throat and cough, including in children.

1 Lecturer's laryngitis.

This disease is a consequence of the professional activity of a person whose work involves the need to speak constantly and for a long time. Therefore, it is most often diagnosed in teachers, singers, presenters of public events, coaches, etc. As an additional manifestation, hoarseness of voice is often observed.

2 Neurosis of the pharynx.

This pathology is a consequence of a dysfunction of the central nervous system, which leads to a feeling of a lump in the throat and the inability to swallow food under severe nervous tension. Often there is additional tingling and numbness of the pharyngeal mucosa, which gradually disappears after the psycho-emotional state normalizes.

3 Diseases of the thyroid gland.

The formation of benign or malignant tumors in the tissues of the thyroid gland can also cause discomfort due to mechanical compression of the larynx and other anatomical structures.

1. 4 The occurrence of neoplasms of the nasopharynx and oropharynx, in particular cysts and abscesses.
2. They can be of different natures, but when they reach a certain size they certainly begin to cause inconvenience.
3. 5 Smoking and working in conditions with a high content of small particles in the air.
4. In such cases, the mucous membranes are constantly exposed to irritation, which provokes discomfort.
5. Even such an unpleasant disease as syphilis can be accompanied by coughing attacks that begin with a tickling in the throat.
6. Therefore, if such symptoms occur, you should not self-medicate for a long time; it is much more effective and safer to seek help from a specialist.

The reason for contacting a doctor is prolonged persistence of discomfort or deterioration of the patient’s condition. You need to immediately visit a doctor or call an ambulance if the patient says: “I can’t sleep and I’m suffocating.”

In such situations, acute airway stenosis may cause breathing problems. In severe cases, in the absence of competent medical intervention, this can lead to suffocation and death.

First of all, patients should consult a therapist, and children should consult a pediatrician. This specialist will be able, based on the existing symptoms, data on the patient’s lifestyle and health, to suggest the most likely causes of discomfort.

If they are a bacterial or viral infection, treatment will be prescribed immediately. In other cases, patients may additionally require consultation:

• allergist;
• neurologist;
• endocrinologist;
• gastroenterologist;
• otolaryngologist;
• pulmonologist.

If the therapist suspects the presence of allergies, neurotic, endocrine diseases or disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, he will recommend consultation with a specialist. You should not neglect additional examinations, since sometimes only a specialized doctor will be able to accurately determine what is bothering the patient and help him eliminate any deviations from the norm.

UAC and OAM. Based on their results, one can judge the presence of an inflammatory process in the body and its severity, as well as detect signs of an allergic reaction.

Allergy tests for various allergens. A specific blood test or method of applying a substance to lightly scratched skin can determine the body's sensitivity to specific compounds.

Ultrasound of the thyroid gland. The method helps to assess the condition of the organ, its structure and detect tumors and nodes, if any.

Gastroscopy. Endoscopic examination of the stomach and duodenum is necessary for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases, including gastritis, peptic ulcers, etc.

Thus, each examination has indications for carrying out. Therefore, most patients only need one or two of them.

To get rid of unpleasant sensations, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of their occurrence. For quick but temporary relief, you can resort to cough and sore throat lozenges, which are presented in great abundance on the shelves of modern pharmacies.

They contain various medicinal substances of plant or synthetic origin that can kill pathogenic microorganisms, reduce the manifestations of the inflammatory process and soften the throat, since saliva is very actively released during resorption.

Thanks to this, a dry tickling cough is stopped and it becomes easier to talk. You can also simply take a few sips of water or a non-sweetened drink. This will help eliminate irritation and have a softening effect.

The nature of therapy is selected based on the causes of discomfort and the presence of other diseases. Thus, in how to stop tickling, using:

• Expectorants and mucolytics (Ambroxol, Lazolvan, ACC, Flavamed, Ambrobene, Linkas, Eucabal, Prospan, Fluditek, Bronchostop, etc.), necessary to enhance the production of sputum, reduce its viscosity and facilitate discharge.
• Antiseptic sprays and lozenges (Orasept, Strepsils, Lisobakt, Faringosept, Tantum Verde, Ingalipt, Angilex, Givalex, Isla-Moos, etc.) that help eliminate pain and pathogenic microflora of the oral cavity.
• Vasoconstrictor drops and sprays (Nazik, Nazol, Galazolin, Rinazolin, Farmazolin, Noxprey, Xylo-Mefa, Otrivin, etc.), eliminating nasal congestion and facilitating breathing, which is important for adenoiditis.
• Homeopathic medicines (Sinupret, Tonsilotren, Cinnabsin, Tonsilgon, etc.), which have a complex effect on the body and help eliminate the causes of disturbances in the functioning of the nose and nasopharynx.
• Antihistamines (Edem, Erius, L-cet, Claritin, Telfast, Suprastin, etc.), necessary for the allergic nature of the ailment. If allergies occur in a child, you can use Fenistil, Zodak drops or antiallergic medications in the form of syrups.
• Proton pump inhibitors (Omeprazole, Omez, Neo-Zext, Lanza, Nolpaza, etc.), used for gastrointestinal diseases.

In severe cases, when the allergic nature of the disease is confirmed by studies, the doctor may prescribe drugs from the corticosteroid group (Nasonex, Flixonase, Beconase and others). They help to quickly eliminate inflammation and tissue swelling caused by it, as well as normalize breathing.

Inhalations

One of the most effective remedies for tickling in the throat and cough caused by inflammatory processes is inhalation. They can be carried out using a nebulizer or steam inhalers.

The main advantage of this method of treatment is that the inhaled substance begins to act immediately at the site of inflammation, including lower in the bronchi and lungs. Thanks to this, the positive effect is observed almost immediately.

The simplest of them is to use saline solution or mineral water. You can add to them:

• essential oils (tea tree, eucalyptus, sage, mint, etc.);
• sea ​​buckthorn oil;
• decoctions or infusions of medicinal herbs.

For dry cough, it is recommended to use ambroxol preparations in the form of solutions for oral use or inhalation. In severe forms of allergies or bronchial asthma, solutions of corticosteroids (Dexamethasone, Prednisolone) are used as prescribed by a doctor.

Rinse

In order to eliminate discomfort during inflammation of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, it is also possible to use all kinds of solutions for gargling. As such, you can choose pharmaceutical drugs or traditional medicine.

The cause of tickling may be a throat disease, such as a sore throat.

Tickling in the throat - inflammatory diseases

If you have a tickle in your throat and a cough, you should first suspect the presence of respiratory pathologies. They can take different forms and are often accompanied by discomfort and coughing. Rhinorrhea often occurs.

Common causes of the disease include the following:

ARVI

This is the most common cause of tickling in the throat. When viruses enter the human body, their active development begins. This leads to damage to the upper respiratory organs. As a result, a strong tickling in the throat and a dry cough appear. A serous secretion forms on the surface of the mucous membranes. Provoking factors include influenza, measles, and chickenpox. All these diseases begin with damage to the pharynx. Thanks to the appearance of cough, the mucous membrane is protected from the influence of harmful microorganisms. If measures are not taken in time, there is a risk of the abnormal process spreading to the trachea, lungs or bronchi.

What causes a tickling cough?

If there is a tickle in the throat and it causes a person to cough, one may suspect that the virus has entered the body. This symptomatology is typical for the following diseases:

• acute respiratory infections;
• types of influenza;
• adeno- and rhinovirus infections;
• bacterial inflammation, which subsequently develops into sore throat, tonsillitis, scarlet fever or diphtheria;
• otitis, rhinitis, pharyngitis, whooping cough.

If your throat tickles, and after a couple of days your body temperature rises, you can talk about ARVI. To make you feel better, you need to drink plenty of warm liquids.

When a cough appears or a tickle in the throat of a child with a cold, you should immediately seek help from medical professionals. The described symptoms are dangerous for the young body, since the immune system is not sufficiently developed. Spreading bacteria quickly spread from the upper respiratory tract to the lower respiratory organs - bronchi and lungs, and then pneumonia can develop.

But not every tickling cough is a consequence of an infection entering the body. Sometimes these symptoms may occur in people working in hazardous environments:

• miners;
• pressers;
• metallurgists;
• welders;
• builders;
• chemical industry workers;
• seamstresses

It also constantly tickles the throat in those whose activities involve tension in the vocal cords. These are singers, artists, teachers, announcers.

So, the following can provoke a tickling cough in a child or an adult:

• too much gas pollution on the street;
• air emissions from chemical plants;
• smoky rooms;
• aerosol spraying;
• allergy to flowering plants.

To eliminate discomfort, it is enough to leave the polluted room or, conversely, enter the house from the street - if the problem is due to impurities in the atmospheric air. If sneezing, redness of the eyes and tearing are added to the tickling, you need to take an antihistamine tablet.

Non-inflammatory diseases

Constant tickling may indicate allergic, neurological, digestive or other pathologies that cause disruption of the body. The provoking factors of the disease include the following:

Air pollution, the influence of nicotine, various aerosols. All these factors lead to severe coughing. People who smoke or work in hazardous conditions experience tickling and tickling. Such symptoms often occur in builders and librarians.

Allergy

The seasonal form of the disease provokes discomfort in the throat at a specific time of year. When inhaling air with a high content of allergens, irritation of the nasopharynx occurs. Provoking factors can be medications, animal hair, dust, etc. In addition to soreness, allergies can cause swelling of the larynx. An attack usually begins with damage to the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, rhinitis, the sensation of a foreign object inside, and the appearance of a dry cough. In difficult situations, a person has problems with swallowing and breathing. This causes a tickling in the throat, a cough, and an itching sensation.

Occupational diseases

Occupational diseases in which a constant sore throat with hoarseness appears as a result of regular inhalation of harmful chemicals at work or the need to constantly strain the vocal cords. The risk group includes teachers, lecturers, announcers, actors, singers, as well as workers in hazardous industries. Singers and teachers face high stress on the ligaments. This provokes irritation of the mucous membranes and provokes chronic laryngitis and tracheitis. This causes hoarseness, changes in voice timbre, tickling and coughing.

Adenoids, polyps, tumor lesions of the throat

All these disorders relate to severe pathologies, which are characterized by tickling and dry cough. When formations occur in the throat, symptoms resembling laryngitis and tracheitis occur. Little by little, a pain syndrome arises, which leads to impaired swallowing function. The cough increases, becomes paroxysmal and debilitating. The patient has a sensation of a foreign object in the larynx.

Diseases of the nerves of the skull, neurosis, autonomic abnormalities after stressful situations

These symptoms are characterized by dysphagia and dysphonia. People with neurosis may experience tingling, numbness, and pain in the neck area. All these symptoms indicate diseases of the nervous system. Complex pathologies and tumor formations in the brain are also characterized by constant tickling and debilitating cough.

Osteochondrosis of the neck

As it develops, the nerve fibers and blood vessels in the neck area are compressed. There is also numbness of the larynx, irritation, and itching in the throat. Often this process is accompanied by tickling.

ethnoscience

If you experience a tickling in the throat due to a cold, you can use traditional recipes. Homeopathy is completely safe for all patients, although it has some contraindications. There is no need to get carried away with this method, even if it has previously helped with similar symptoms. Everything should be in moderation.

1. Pharmacy or homemade infusions of chamomile, sage, and calendula have an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect. To gargle, dilute 1 tbsp. l. concentrated composition in 1 liter of warm boiled water. Use for one week 5-6 times a day. If there is dry collection in stock, it is mixed at the rate of 1 tbsp. l. herbs for 1 cup of boiling water.
2. It is recommended to rinse the nasopharynx with saline solution. To do this, take 1 tsp. salt without a slide and mix with a glass of warm water.
3. Steam inhalation over boiled potatoes will help moisturize the mucous membranes of the throat. Inhaling the vapors of medicinal herbs and essential oils will help quickly get rid of infections and restore health.
4. Honey combined with other products (onions, garlic) will help soothe an irritated throat and eliminate the feeling of soreness. Also, such compositions have an antiviral effect and eliminate the accumulation of bacteria.

Warm teas and compotes can be consumed in any quantity. The more liquid is absorbed, the less sore throat will be. Sometimes people don’t know what to do if a sore throat prevents them from sleeping at night.

Diagnostic tests

To identify the causes of tickling, you should consult a qualified doctor. Most often, specialists use the following diagnostic studies:

1. Inspection . Tonsillitis and pharyngitis are usually diagnosed this way. The patient only needs to open his mouth for the doctor to understand the causes of the painful cough and itching in the throat.
2. Lab tests . Such studies are usually prescribed to clarify the diagnosis. For example, if antibiotics do not give the desired results, a special analysis will help determine the underlying pathology and sensitivity of microorganisms to drugs.
3. Instrumental studies, ultrasound . Such techniques are used if a tumor is suspected in the throat.

Tickling in the throat - how to treat

Medicines

After determining the cause of the disease, treatment can begin. Medications and folk recipes help to cope with pathology. The most effective methods of drug therapy include the following:

1. For the development of viral infections, faringosept and lugol are used. Medicines such as Ingalipt and Hexoral can also help.
2. To treat bacterial infections, the local antibiotic Bioparox is used. To relieve inflammation, ibuprofen or paracetamol are prescribed. Antiseptic sprays are also prescribed in the form of Ingalipt, Miramistin, Lugol. The latter drug is indicated only in the absence of individual iodine intolerance.
3. If the cause of symptoms is damage to the digestive system, neo-Zext or omeprazole is prescribed. Diet is of no small importance. It is recommended to eat food in small portions. It should be at room temperature. For stomach problems that cause irritation of the laryngeal mucosa, a special diet and drugs that reduce acidity Rennie, Phosphalugel, Gastal and others are prescribed.
4. If the pathology is allergic, take antihistamines suprastin, loratadine, cetirizine. You should also carry out wet cleaning and eliminate the influence of irritating factors.
5. If you have a sore throat or cough that occurs as a result of neurological disorders, you should immediately contact a neurologist. The doctor will make a diagnosis and select adequate therapy.
6. A variety of lozenges and lozenges will also help relieve pain and eliminate tickling in the scalp: Lizobact, Hexoral, Agisept, Faringosept, Sage, etc.
7. A dry cough should also not be ignored. There are many effective medicines for this unpleasant symptom: Mucoltin, Ambrobene, Mucoplant and others.

In any case, you should not self-medicate. If such manifestations appear, you should immediately contact a specialist.

Folk remedies

In addition to medications, traditional recipes can be used. They help eliminate nasopharyngeal hyperemia and relieve irritation. Using home remedies, you can cope with pathologies of unknown etiology and reduce discomfort.

How to get rid of the problem

To get rid of discomfort, you need to eradicate the cause of its occurrence. For a quick but short-term improvement in general condition, it is recommended to use medicinal lozenges. These products contain a variety of medicinal components of plant and synthetic origin; they are able to fight harmful microorganisms, reduce signs of inflammation and soften the throat, since the active release of saliva occurs during the resorption process. This helps relieve a dry, tickling cough, making it easier to speak.

A tickling in the throat accompanied by a cough can be treated using more serious medications:

1. Medicines with expectorant and mucolytic action (syrups) - Lazolvan, Ambroxol, Prospan. These medications are required to enhance the synthesis of sputum, reduce its viscosity and facilitate the process of coughing.
2. Antiseptic tablets and sprays - Strepsils, Orasept, Tantum Verde. These medications will help get rid of painful sensations and remove harmful microflora in the oral cavity.
3. Drops and sprays for vasoconstriction - Nazol, Xylo-Mefa, Farmazolin. Relieves nasal congestion and makes breathing easier. These medications are especially effective in the presence of adenoiditis; they act as a throat moisturizer.
4. Homeopathic medicines - Tonsilotren, Tonsilgon. Homeopathy has a complex effect on the body, eliminating the causes of disturbances in the functioning of the nasopharynx and nose.
5. Antihistamines - Erius, Suprastin, Claritin. They have an effective effect on allergic causes of tickling in the throat. If your baby has allergies, you can use Zodak and Fenistil drops.

It is recommended to take the presented medications before going to bed at night. If you do everything as indicated in the instructions for the medications, the tickling goes away within a week.

The most effective medications for tickling and coughing caused by inflammation include inhalations. They are allowed to be performed using steam inhalers and nebulizers. The main advantage of this method of therapy is that the inhaled agent immediately has a positive effect on the source of inflammation.

Inhalations can be done with mineral water and saline solution in combination with the following components:

• essential oil;
• sea ​​buckthorn oil;
• infusions and decoctions prepared from medicinal herbs.

If treated at home, you can also use traditional recipes, which are especially useful for pregnant women:

1. An infusion of chamomile and calendula flowers, as well as sage leaves. To prepare the medicine, take one tablespoon of the mixture of these components and place it in a saucepan, pour in a glass of boiling water and leave under the lid until it cools completely. You can drink it three times a day. After taking the product, sputum will begin to cough up more easily.
2. Infusion of St. John's wort, viburnum and raspberry foliage, red rowan berries. All components are taken in a one to one proportion and crushed. A tablespoon of the resulting mixture is placed in a saucepan, poured with a glass of boiling water and infused for an hour under the lid. An affected throat can be soothed only with regular use of this remedy.

If there is a tickling in the throat, medications should be taken only after prior consultation with a doctor. Only a doctor can help you quickly get rid of this symptom.

Preventive actions

The main preventive method is to strengthen the immune system. Thanks to this, it is possible to reduce the number of diseases and speed up recovery from viral infections.

Prevention also includes the following components:

1. Taking enough vitamins and minerals. They are present in various foods and are included in specialized medicines.
2. Rejection of bad habits. You should not smoke, drink alcohol or use drugs. All these substances significantly weaken the immune system.
3. Hardening the body. Thanks to this, he can get used to the cold, which allows him to minimize the number of colds.
4. Stress resistance. If a person cannot cope with his emotions, his immune system is weakened.

Also recommended:

• During the cold season, actively use antiviral drugs: Anaferon, Oxolinic ointment.
• Try to have less contact with infected people.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after visiting public places.
• Do not touch your face or hair again.
• Ensure regular fluid intake during prolonged stress on the vocal cords.

All of the above activities will help you forget about throat problems for a long time. They will also ease the course of the disease if it was not possible to avoid infection.

A tickling sensation in the upper respiratory tract can be a symptom of a cold or more serious health problems. It is important to consult a doctor in time if a sore throat does not go away for a long time. Carrying out diagnostics will help to exclude the presence of severe pathologies or begin their treatment.

Pharyngitis - treatment methods and symptoms

The disease is a lymphoid inflammation of the tissues of the pharynx. Most often combined with acute inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. The disease most often strikes patients at the end of winter, when the immune system is weakened and the body’s resistance to infections and viruses is practically zero.

In the absence of proper treatment, pharyngitis can become chronic, in which case the patient's voice may forever remain slightly hoarse, low, and bassy. To prevent this from happening, you should consult a doctor at the first sign:

• subtle pain in the throat and nasopharynx;
• inflammation of the lymph nodes;
• tickles in the throat;
• cough begins without copious sputum production;
• the timbre of the voice changes.

Additional measures for colds

Based on the fact that acute respiratory infections are still the most common cause of tickling in the larynx and dry cough, you need to remember the following measures that will help alleviate the patient’s condition and speed up the recovery process.

• Regular ventilation of the room is necessary.
• Regular wet cleaning will help get rid of additional sources of irritation and soften the air.
• Drinking plenty of warm fluids helps to accelerate the removal of mucus and reduce the manifestations of intoxication in the body.
• Limitation of vocal cord tension. It is important to remain silent or talk in a whisper.
• Maintaining bed rest. At rest, as well as during sleep, the body quickly finds the strength to fight the infection.
• Carrying out inhalations using a home nebulizer. This device is indispensable in the treatment of respiratory diseases. Even inhaling saline vapor can significantly soften a dry cough and eliminate tickling.
• Use of folk remedies in the form of decoctions, herbal teas, rinses, rubbing.

Many therapeutic activities require home treatment. For this reason, adults should take a day off or sick leave, and should not take children with sore throats to educational institutions for at least a couple of days. This will help avoid the development of serious complications and get the patient back on his feet faster.