How to Get Rid of a Constant Tickle in the Throat

A constant tickle in the throat can cause significant coughing, which is not only a nuisance, it can be embarrassing. Constantly coughing in an attempt to rid yourself of the tickle can make speaking challenging. In addition, throat tickles can be caused by allergies, dry air, post nasal drip or respiratory infection. Although a constant tickle in the throat is seldom serious, when it is persistent, it can disrupt your day-to-day activities.

Things You'll Need

• Tea with honey
• Water
• Vaporizer
• Hard candy
• Cough medicine

Instructions

1. Drink tea with honey. When you have a constant tickle in your throat, drinking tea mixed with honey will coat and soothe your throat. The tea adds moisture to dry tissues and the honey offers lubrication that will rid the scratchiness.

2. Consume plenty of water. Drinking water keeps your throat lubricated and can stop a cough-inducing tickle in its tracks. By sipping water throughout the day you decrease the risk of getting a coughing attack from the tickle.

3. Use a vaporizer. Setting up a vaporizer at night will humidify dry air and prevent your throat tissues from drying out and causing a constant tickle. Make sure that you clean your vaporizer regularly, because bacteria can grow in the unit, causing infection if inhaled.

4. Suck on hard candy. By dissolving a piece of hard candy in your mouth, your throat stays lubricated, alleviating your tickle and cough. If the tickle and subsequent cough persist, quickly remove the candy, as you could swallow it and choke.

5. Take cough medicine. If your tickle is persistent and related to a cold, take an over-the-counter cough suppressant. The medication will stop the tickle and relieve your cough. Make sure you only take the medication as directed and check with your doctor if you are taking other medications, as combining them can cause adverse reactions.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't smoke. Smoking irritates throat tissues, drys out mucus membranes and exacerbates a constant tickle in the throat.

• If the tickle in your throat does not resolve, or if it causes you to gag, choke or throw-up from forceful coughing, see your doctor. This could signal a medical condition such as post nasal drip, allergic reaction, gastroesophageal reflux disease or infection, and will need to be treated.

References

• Mother Nature: Coughing