How to treat a cough with an itchy throat, and what is the most effective method?

Generally speaking, there is no specific method considered the most effective for treating a non-coughing itchy throat. The throat refers to the pharynx; coughing and an itchy throat may be caused by poor environmental conditions, dietary irritation, excessive voice use, acute pharyngitis, chronic pharyngitis, or other reasons. Under a doctor's guidance, general treatments or medication therapy can be used. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Poor Environment

When staying in a dry, dusty, or polluted environment with irritating gases, the pharyngeal mucosa may be directly irritated, possibly causing a cough reflex to remove these irritants, resulting in symptoms such as coughing and an itchy throat. One should avoid prolonged exposure to such adverse environments.

2. Dietary Irritation

Consuming excessive spicy, greasy, overly sweet, or acidic foods can affect the normal physiological environment of the throat, irritating the pharyngeal mucosa, leading to congestion, swelling, or increased sensitivity, which can cause itching and subsequently trigger a cough reflex to relieve the throat discomfort. Maintaining a balanced diet, reducing intake of such irritant foods, and increasing consumption of vegetables, fruits, and foods rich in vitamins and moisture can help maintain the health of the pharyngeal mucosa and reduce throat irritation.

3. Excessive Voice Use

Speaking loudly, singing, shouting, or talking continuously for extended periods can fatigue the throat muscles, cause frequent vibration and friction of the vocal cords, lead to congestion, dryness of the pharyngeal mucosa, and increased local sensitivity, easily producing an itchy sensation. Coughing is a natural response the body uses to relieve this discomfort. It is recommended to plan voice usage reasonably and avoid prolonged continuous vocalization.

4. Acute Pharyngitis

Acute pharyngitis is mainly caused by viral or bacterial infections. After infecting the throat, viruses or bacteria multiply extensively on the pharyngeal mucosa, triggering an inflammatory response that causes mucosal congestion, swelling, increased secretions, stimulates nerve endings, produces itching, and subsequently triggers a cough reflex attempting to clear secretions and irritants from the throat. It may also be accompanied by symptoms such as fever and fatigue. Under a doctor's guidance, medications such as compound borax mouthwash, watermelon frost lozenges, and Lanyin oral liquid can be used for treatment.

5. Chronic Pharyngitis

Chronic pharyngitis often results from repeated episodes of acute pharyngitis or long-term smoking and alcohol consumption. The throat remains in a state of chronic inflammation for a long time, with submucosal tissue hyperplasia and thickening, increased sensitivity of nerve endings, making it prone to itching, where even slight irritation can trigger coughing, especially more noticeable during dry swallowing. It is also accompanied by symptoms such as nausea and dry heaving. Under a doctor's guidance, medications such as Yinhuang tablets, pharyngitis tablets, and Pudilan anti-inflammatory oral liquid can be used for treatment.

Maintain good living habits, regular作息 (作息 means作息 in Chinese, but it's better to use "作息" in English as "作息" is not understandable; perhaps "作息" should be translated as "rest and work schedule") rest and work schedules, ensure adequate sleep, avoid staying up late and excessive fatigue, and maintain normal physiological functions of the body.