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What causes a dry, itchy throat and coughing?

Mar 18, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ren Yi
Introduction
Prolonged exposure to a dry environment with low humidity can accelerate the evaporation of moisture from the throat mucosa, leading to dryness, itching, and coughing. It is recommended to use a humidifier to increase air humidity and to consume more water to keep the throat moist. Extended periods of loud talking or singing can cause throat muscle fatigue and mucosal damage, resulting in dryness, itching, and coughing. It is important to use your voice properly in daily life.

    Dryness and itching in the throat, as well as coughing, may be caused by dry air, excessive voice use, common cold, acute pharyngitis, cough-variant asthma, and other conditions. Management should vary depending on the specific situation. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the cause through examination, and then follow medical advice for treatment.

    1. Dry air: Prolonged exposure to a dry environment with low humidity accelerates evaporation of moisture from the throat mucosa, leading to dryness, itching, and coughing. It is recommended to use a humidifier to increase air humidity, and increase water intake to keep the throat moist.

    2. Excessive voice use: Speaking loudly or singing for extended periods can fatigue the throat muscles and damage the mucous membranes, causing dryness, itching, and coughing. It is important to use the voice scientifically, avoid prolonged continuous vocalization, and consume more soothing foods such as pears and lilies.

    3. Common cold: Often caused by viral infections, invading viruses can irritate the upper respiratory tract, causing congestion and swelling of the throat mucosa, resulting in dryness, itching, and coughing, often accompanied by nasal congestion, runny nose, and fever. Patients may take medications such as Ganmaoling granules, compound paracetamol and amantadine capsules, and dextromethorphan hydrobromide syrup under medical guidance to alleviate symptoms.

    4. Acute pharyngitis: Bacterial infection, dust irritation, and other factors may cause this condition, leading to acute inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa and surrounding tissues. Symptoms include significant throat dryness and itching, frequent coughing, and throat pain or a burning sensation. It is recommended to follow medical advice to use medications such as Lanqin oral liquid, Xigua Shuang lozenges, and amoxicillin capsules to relieve discomfort.

    5. Cough-variant asthma: This condition may be caused by genetic and environmental factors, resulting in airway hyperresponsiveness. When triggered by cold air, allergens, and other stimuli, it can cause throat dryness, itching, and coughing, often characterized by an irritating dry cough that worsens at night and in the early morning. Patients may follow medical advice to use drugs such as diprophylline tablets, montelukast sodium tablets, and salbutamol aerosol to alleviate symptoms.

    In daily life, adjust your diet to avoid spicy and irritating foods; consume more fresh vegetables and fruits such as spinach, celery, and apples to help improve the condition.

    References:

    [1] Ji Yinghao, Chen Wenxia. Clinical efficacy of Houpaiqing granules combined with cefuroxime axetil in the treatment of acute pharyngitis[J]. Shenzhen Journal of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 2024, 34(16): 54-57. DOI:10.16458/j.cnki.1007-0893.2024.16.016.

    [2] Liu Bo, Zhang Tingting, Zou Xue, et al. Xiaochaihu Decoction with the addition of aged tangerine peel in treating cough-variant asthma[J]. Jilin Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2025, 45(01): 69-71. DOI:10.13463/j.cnki.jlzyy.2025.01.017.

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