Throat irritation is a common problem for many people. Generally, the symptoms are temporary and go away within a week or so. However, they may also be a sign that a more serious health issue is present.
There are a number of different symptoms of throat irritation. These include:
There are a number of causes of throat irritation. Keep reading to learn about several of them, including treatment options.
The common cold is, as its name suggests, very common. On average, adults get
More than
The main symptoms of a common cold include:
There is no cure for a common cold. A person can just treat their symptoms. Treatments can include:
Learn more about the common cold and its stages here.
COVID-19 can also cause throat irritation. This is a highly contagious disease that results from a viral infection. The virus SARS-CoV-2, a type of coronavirus, is what causes COVID-19.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms may appear
COVID-19 is very contagious. A person who has symptoms of COVID-19 should remain at home, unless a doctor has advised them to do otherwise. They should also:
A person should seek prompt medical care if they believe they have COVID-19 and are having breathing difficulties.
All data and statistics are based on publicly available data at the time of publication. Some information may be out of date. Visit our coronavirus hub for the most recent information on the COVID-19 pandemic.
A person with COVID-19 may experience a range of symptoms that can vary from mild to severe. The common symptoms of COVID-19 include:
There is no known cure for COVID-19. However, a person can treat the symptoms of COVID-19. They should:
Learn more about COVID-19 here.
Allergies can cause throat irritation among other symptoms. Allergies are very common, with over 50 million people in the United States having some form of allergy.
If a person is experiencing throat irritation due to an allergic reaction, then they may feel the symptoms for as long as they are exposed to the allergen.
Common allergies include pollen, dust mites, cats and dogs, and a variety of foods, including peanuts and shellfish.
Common symptoms of an allergic reaction include:
There are many other symptoms that vary depending on the specific allergy. A person may also experience additional symptoms such as hives and asthma.
Treatments for allergic reactions vary depending on the symptoms and their severity. It is important to reduce exposure to the allergen.
A person may find OTC antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal steroid sprays helpful.
If a person has more severe symptoms they may require prescription medications such as immunotherapy.
Laryngitis is the inflammation of the larynx. The larynx is another name for the voicebox. Laryngitis usually occurs suddenly and tends to get worse during the first 3 days. Laryngitis can be acute or chronic, however, it is mostly temporary with no serious consequences.
It is a common problem that affects around
Common symptoms of laryngitis include:
Laryngitis tends to go away on its own. However, a person can treat the symptoms of laryngitis in a number of ways. These include:
Learn more about laryngitis here.
Epiglottitis is the inflammation of the epiglottis. The epiglottis is the flap in the throat that prevents food from entering the windpipe and going into a person’s lungs.
When the epiglottis is inflamed it can block a person’s airway which can be dangerous. Acute epiglottitis can be
Infections and physical trauma can cause epiglottitis.
Symptoms of epiglottitis include:
If left untreated, epiglottitis can cause a blocked airway. This can cause the skin to turn a bluish color due to lack of oxygen.
A person with epiglottitis should seek medical help. The medical staff will usually secure the person’s airways to ensure they can breathe effectively.
Then they will carry out tests to locate the cause of the problem. If the infection is bacterial, which is the most common cause, the doctor will treat it with antibiotics.
Learn more about epiglottitis here.
Strep throat is a common throat infection. Exposure to a strain of the streptococcus bacteria causes strep throat.
The most common symptoms of strep throat
Bacteria causes strep throat. Therefore, a doctor will treat strep throat by administering antibiotics. This can prevent rheumatic fever and other complications.
Learn more about strep throat here.
Acid reflux is a common condition in the U.S.A.. It is commonly known as heartburn and occurs when stomach acid flows back up into a person’s esophagus.
According to The American College of Gastroenterology, over 60 million Americans experience acid reflux at least once a month.
Symptoms of acid reflux include:
There are a number of treatments that a person can use to treat acid reflux. These include:
Learn more about acid reflux here.
Throat cancer is a rare form of cancer. It can cause throat irritation among a number of other symptoms.
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) a person has a
There are a number of different types of throat cancer that each affect a different part of the throat.
Early symptoms of throat cancer
There are a number of different ways to treat throat cancer. The treatment varies depending on the type and stage of cancer present.
Treatments for throat cancer include:
Learn more about throat cancer here.
Smoking tobacco or other substances can lead to throat irritation. Inhaling the substances and chemicals, as well as the hot air from smoking, can irritate sensitive tissues lining the throat.
The obvious solution is to quit smoking.
Learn more about how smoking harms your health here.
Quitting smoking is no easy thing, but there are a number of things people can do. Read about some of them here,
Throat irritation is a common problem and often goes away without treatment. However, in some instances medical treatment is required.
According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head, and Neck Surgery, a person should seek medical help if they have any of the following issues:
Throat irritation is a common issue. It can be uncomfortable, however, generally the symptoms will go away within 1–2 weeks.
Issues such as the common cold, viral infections, strep throat, or acid reflux can all cause throat irritation. However, throat irritation can sometimes be a sign that a more serious issue is present.
A person can often treat throat irritation with a number of home remedies or OTC products. However, if a person has difficulty breathing, or their symptoms become persistent, they should seek medical help.
Last medically reviewed on February 22, 2021
Share this article
OUR BRANDS
