Are you wondering, “Why is my throat dry?”. A dry, scratchy throat can be one of the most infuriating feelings. Sometimes, it feels like there is no relief from it, and it starts interfering with your routine activities. There are many reasons behind your dry throat, like a cold, dehydration, or even an infection. In this blog, we will make a list of five reasons why your throat is dry.
1. Cold
It is common among adults and children to develop a cold. A cold can be due to a viral infection, and it comes with other symptoms like:
- Sneezes
- Coughs
- Stuffed and/or runny nose.
- Body aches
- Low-grade fever
Treatment: Viruses take their own time to go away and run their due course. But, having warm fluids, lukewarm saltwater gargles, and pain relievers might help soothe your itchy throat.
2. Flu
Viruses can also cause the flu, which is a respiratory illness. However, the flu can lead to health complications. Thus, if you have the flu, you can answer your “Why is my throat dry?” question.
Treatment: The same treatment tips as cold would also help with flu. Nevertheless, you should get flu vaccinations regularly to avoid them entirely.
3. Allergies
Hay fever, or seasonal allergies, can also cause dry throats. Seasonal allergies result from your immune system’s reaction to seemingly harmless environmental triggers. In case of allergies, you might also have:
- Sneezes
- Stuffed and/or runny nose.
- Cough
- Itchiness in your mouth, eyes, or skin.
Stuffy noses or nasal passages make you breathe through your mouth, making your throat dry and sore. And then you are left wondering, “Why is my throat dry and sore?”
Treatment: Allergy shots or other allergy treatment options. It would be best to avoid the triggers.
4. Dehydration
When you don’t drink enough water, the saliva production in your mouth reduces. As a consequence, your throat starts feeling dry and causes dehydration. Therefore, the next time you wonder, “Why is my throat dry?” try to remember if you have been drinking enough water instead. Other symptoms include:
- Urinating less
- Darker urine
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Feeling thirsty
Treatment: Drink enough water and hydrating drinks and foods and vegetables containing water. Avoid caffeinated drinks.
5. Strep Throat
Strep throat might be another answer to your dry throat query. It is an infection caused by bacteria, making your throat feel very sore and parched. Other symptoms include:
- Swollen tonsils with white patches.
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Body aches
- Nausea
Treatment: You can complete a course of antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor for strep throat. In addition, lukewarm saltwater gargles might help.
Other Causes:
If you still can’t figure the reason of your dry throat, it might have another cause. A dry throat can also result from Tonsillitis (an infection of the tonsils), Acid Reflux/GERD, Mononucleosis (a mouth disease due to a virus), or even sleeping with your mouth open.
Conclusion:
A parched throat can be a symptom of an underlying health concern. Therefore, it is better to know what might cause it and how to get rid of the dry throat feeling. If you notice any symptoms that hint at a severe condition, visit your doctor immediately. You can also contact our Family Diagnostic experts at 281-351-6800 or appointment@familydiagnosticclinic.com.