What causes a dry, itchy throat with a foreign body sensation?
Mar 27, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xu Gang
Introduction
A dry, itchy throat with a sensation of a foreign body may be caused by long-term smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke, which damages or shortens the cilia of the bronchial mucosa, impairing their clearance function. It could also result from bacterial infection causing pharyngitis, in which inflammation irritates the pharyngeal mucosa. Additionally, it may occur due to decreased immunity allowing pathogens to invade, leading to congestion and swelling of the unilateral or bilateral tonsils.
Dryness, itching, and a sensation of a foreign body in the throat may be caused by non-disease factors, or could result from medical conditions such as pharyngitis or tonsillitis.
1. Non-disease factors
This may be due to long-term smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke, which can damage or shorten the ciliary epithelium of the bronchial mucosa, impairing the cilia's clearance function. Symptoms usually resolve spontaneously after eliminating these unhealthy habits.
2. Disease factors
1) Pharyngitis
Pharyngitis may result from bacterial infection, with inflammation irritating the pharyngeal mucosa. Treatment may include medications such as azithromycin granules, roxithromycin dispersible tablets, or cefuroxime axetil tablets, taken under medical guidance.
2) Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis may occur when decreased immunity allows pathogens to invade, causing congestion and swelling of one or both tonsils. Treatment may include famciclovir granules, ribavirin granules, or antiviral oral solution, used under a doctor's supervision.
In addition, these symptoms could also be caused by vocal cord polyps. It is recommended to identify the underlying cause and undergo appropriate, standardized treatment.
