A throat tickle can be caused by a wide variety of things. Sometimes a tickling, scratchy throat can indicate the onset of a cold. Allergies to foods or food additives, and environmental allergies to smoke, dust mites, mold, or pollen, can result in an itchy, tickling throat. Post-nasal drip or a dry throat can irritate the throat and cause a tickle. Various home remedies have been suggested that may address this condition.
Some people notice a throat tickle right before a sore throat or other cold symptoms appear. If the cold is accompanied by a cough, the tickle may be caused by the scratching of the throat's lining as the air is expelled from the lungs. Each time a person coughs, the lining of the throat is scratched and initiates another round of a throat tickle.
Allergies to nuts, shellfish and other foods are quite common. Environmental allergies to pollen, dust, and other airborne substances are also very prevalent. Allergies can result in an itchy, stuffy nose and cause post-nasal drip, i.e. excess mucous that drips from the sinuses down the back of the throat. Post-nasal drip is one of the most common causes of throat irritation.
Remedies for an irritated, scratchy throat are quite varied. Sometimes simply drinking water will ease the symptoms. Over-the-counter cold lozenges have also been known to help this condition.
Some home remedies for a throat tickle are quite unique. According to one folk remedy, a good way to deal with a tickling throat is to chew on whole cloves. Other people say that eating a piece of very well-toasted bread without butter or jam is guaranteed to bring relief. Hot water mixed with honey and lemon juice is another commonly recommended throat remedy. Aloe vera juice mixed with water and used as a gargle works to relieve a throat tickle, according to some folk wisdom.
Throat remedies involving apple cider vinegar, in combination with various other ingredients, are widely used. Apple cider vinegar mixed into a glass of water, sipping as needed, has been used to relieve a scratchy throat. Crushed vitamin C mixed with apple cider vinegar may work to stop a throat tickle when used as a gargle several times a day. Another apple cider vinegar cure calls for mixing apple cider vinegar, honey, and ground cayenne pepper and using it as a mouth rinse or gargle throughout the day.
If the throat tickle does not go away with home treatment, a visit to the doctor may be necessary. The physician can do an examination to determine the cause of the throat tickle. In some instances, the doctor might write a prescription for a particular medication that could help. If the cause of the throat tickle is not apparent, the doctor can make a referral to a specialist.