What causes dry throat, and how is it treated?

Creator: SingleCare
Published: 2023-02-07T14:16:38-05:00

Looking for relief for a scratchy, dry throat? Learn what causes a dry throat and the home remedies to try.

By Karen Berger, Pharm.D. | Feb. 7, 2023

Dry throat causes | Home remedies | When to see a doctor

A dry throat can make you feel downright miserable and constantly seek relief. Several factors, including viral or bacterial infections, allergies, or reflux, can cause a dry, scratchy throat. The good news is that there are many options you can try that will soothe your dry throat.

What causes dry throat?

Some of the most common causes of a dry throat include:

Viral infections

Viral infections can cause various symptoms, including a dry, sore, irritated throat. However, unlike bacterial infections, viral infections do not respond to antibiotics. Thus the symptoms of a viral infection cannot be quelled through a course of antibiotics. Below are some common viral infections.

Common cold: The common cold can cause a dry, sore throat. Other symptoms of a viral upper respiratory tract infection, also known as the common cold, may include:

Sneezing
Stuffy or runny nose
Coughing
Postnasal drip (mucus dripping down the back of the throat)
Watery eyes
Fever (in some cases)

The cold may be a very common reason for a dry throat, as adults often get two or three colds per year, and children get even more.

Influenza (Flu): Flu symptoms often come on suddenly and may include a dry, sore throat. Other flu symptoms can include:

Fever
Chills
Cough
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle or body aches
Headache
Tiredness

COVID-19: While symptoms of COVID-19 may change with the variant, a sore throat can be a symptom of this viral infection. Common symptoms may include:

Fever
Cough
Tiredness
Loss of taste or smell

Mononucleosis: This viral infection is often caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. Symptoms may develop slowly and may not all appear at the same time. Besides sore throat, mononucleosis symptoms may include:

Extreme fatigue (tiredness)
Fever
Headache
Body aches
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpits
Swollen liver and/or spleen
Rashes

A bacterial infection such as strep throat

While viruses cause most sore throats, strep throat is a bacterial infection. Strep throat is an infection in the throat and tonsils. It is caused by bacteria called group A Streptococcus (group A strep). A sore throat due to strep throat can come on very quickly. Other common symptoms may include:

Painful swallowing
Fever
Red, swollen tonsils
Tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

Some individuals will also have a headache, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or a rash. Healthcare providers will prescribe an antibiotic, such as amoxicillin or Zithromax (azithromycin), to people who test positive for strep throat and have symptoms.

Allergies

Allergies can cause a dry throat. Allergies are very common—approximately 50 million individuals in the United States experience allergies yearly. You can have perennial allergies (year-round) or seasonal allergies (also known as hay fever). Besides a dry, scratchy throat, allergies may also cause the following symptoms:

Painful swallowing
Sneezing
Nasal congestion (stuffy nose)
Itchy and/or watery eyes
Coughing
Wheezing
Snoring
Difficulty breathing

Smoking or exposure to smoke

Smoking irritates the throat, causing dryness, redness, and inflammation. Smoking can also cause polyps, or growths, to develop on the vocal cords, which can affect the voice. Smoking can also cause coughing, difficulty swallowing, and oral cancer. People who are exposed to secondhand cigarette smoke are at risk, too.

Reflux

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), also known as airway reflux, affects the larynx and pharynx, which are associated with voice production. Symptoms of LPR may include a sore throat, hoarse voice, excess mucus in the throat, cough, wheezing, difficulty breathing, postnasal drip, feeling of a lump in the throat, difficulty swallowing, and ear pain.

Individuals with gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, often experience heartburn. In some cases, sore throat may be a symptom as well.

Dehydration

Studies have shown that three out of four people in the United States are chronically dehydrated. Dehydration occurs when the body loses too much fluid. Dehydration may cause a dry throat. It can also cause:

Excess thirst
Less frequent urination
Darker urine
Dizziness
Tiredness

Sleeping with your mouth open

You can get a dry throat if you sleep with your mouth open. Doing so can cause moisture and saliva in the throat to evaporate, leaving you with a dry and scratchy throat. Sleeping with the mouth open can also cause snoring, bad breath, and tiredness. Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea can also cause individuals to wake up with dry throats.

Other medical conditions or medications

Certain medical conditions (including Sjogren’s syndrome, diabetes, or Alzheimer’s disease) or medications (such as antihistamines, antidepressants, or anxiety medicines) can cause people to have a dry mouth or throat.

8 dry throat remedies

There are various remedies to soothe a dry throat. In some cases, such as in people with a fever or severe symptoms, a visit to a healthcare professional may be required. It is always a good idea to speak with your healthcare professional to find the cause of your dry throat and discuss ways to treat it. For example, if you are experiencing a dry throat due to allergies, your physician may refer you to an allergy specialist for testing and treatment. In many cases, finding and fixing the underlying condition may eliminate the dry throat. However, there are many soothing options you can try, regardless of whether you can find an underlying cause of your dry throat.

Increase fluid intake
Gargle with salt water
Add honey or lemon to liquids
Take over-the-counter pain medication
Use a cool mist humidifier
Use lozenges or sugar-free hard candy
Get enough rest
Limit caffeine and alcohol consumption

1. Increase fluid intake

Hydration is an essential part of staying healthy. Drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day can help soothe a dry throat. Carry a water bottle everywhere you go, and try to incorporate some fruits and vegetables into your diet that have a high water content, such as watermelon and cucumbers. Make hydration a regular part of your routine. You can even download a mobile app to remind you to drink enough water.

RELATED: Health benefits of drinking water

2. Gargle with salt water

Mix half a teaspoon of salt into an eight-ounce glass of warm water and gargle. A saltwater gargle can help kill bacteria (but does not replace an antibiotic if one is required!), loosen mucus, and ease sore throat pain.

3. Add honey or lemon to liquids

Honey may help kill bacteria, fight off viral infections, suppress a dry cough, and soothe a sore throat. Mix two tablespoons of honey into a warm glass of water or green tea. Never give honey to infants under one year old, though.

Lemons can also help loosen mucus, soothe a sore throat, and boost the immune system. You can add lemon juice to hot drinks such as tea or other warm liquids.

4. Take over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication

OTC pain medication such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Motrin (ibuprofen) can help with sore throat pain (as well as fever). Check with your healthcare professional or pharmacist if you need help determining which OTC medication is safe for you. Your pharmacist can be a great resource in helping you select an appropriate medication.

If you are giving OTC pain medication to a child, check with the pediatrician or pharmacist for proper dosing if you are not sure. Carefully measure the dose with the enclosed measuring device or a medication-measuring device provided by the pharmacist. Do not use kitchen utensils to measure liquid medications because they are not as accurate.

5. Use a cool mist humidifier

Use a cool-mist humidifier to add moisture to dry air. According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), warm mist humidifiers can cause swollen nasal passages, making breathing more difficult. Also, hot water or steam can cause burns. Carefully follow the manufacturer’s guide for use and cleaning—this will help prevent mold and bacteria from growing.

6. Use lozenges or sugar-free hard candy

Lozenges can help suppress a cough and soothe and add moisture to a sore throat. Sucking on throat lozenges (or sugar-free hard candy) can increase saliva production, reducing dryness and pain. Check with your child’s pediatrician before giving a lozenge or hard candy to a child.

7. Get enough rest

Never underestimate the power of resting! If your sore throat is due to illness, get plenty of rest. Getting enough rest lets the immune system do its job of fighting infection. Listen to your body and take it easy while you recover.

While sleep problems can negatively affect the immune system, getting enough high-quality sleep is essential to the immune system. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults 18-60 years old need at least seven hours of sleep per night. Adults ages 61-64 need seven to nine hours of sleep per night, and adults 65 years and older need seven to eight hours of sleep nightly.

8. Limit caffeine and alcohol consumption

Both caffeine and alcohol are diuretics, which eliminate fluids from the body and can cause dryness, so try to limit both if you have a dry, sore throat. Caffeine can be found in coffee, caffeinated sodas, energy drinks, and other products. Check for hidden sources of alcohol, such as in mouthwashes or cough syrups, and avoid or limit those, too.

It is important to note that if you have a bacterial strep throat infection, these remedies may help soothe your sore throat but will not cure the infection. None of these remedies will kill or treat strep throat. The best and fastest way to treat strep throat is to see your healthcare professional, who can test you for strep throat and prescribe an antibiotic if the test is positive. If your doctor prescribes medication, you can always use a free SingleCare card to save up to 80% off the cost of your medicine.

When to see a doctor for strep throat symptoms

If you or your child has a sore throat, getting tested for strep throat is a good idea. This way, if you do have strep throat, you can start an antibiotic quickly and be on your way to feeling better. When you take an antibiotic, finish the full course of medicine, even if you feel better. Taking the full course of antibiotics prevents the infection from coming back and prevents antibiotic resistance.

Also, be sure to consult your healthcare provider if you or your child have any of the following symptoms: