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How Do I Relieve a Throat Tickle?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

A throat tickle is a sensation in the throat that is often found along with a sore or scratchy throat, and may be a sign of an impending cold or some type of throat irritation caused by post-nasal drip. The tickling is sometimes caused by dryness and irritation but may also be due to a buildup of mucus in the throat. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to relieve the discomfort of a throat tickle, ease the coughing that often follows the tickling, and be able to focus your attention on other matters.

One of the quickest ways to deal with a throat tickle is to try using throat lozenges that contain menthol as an ingredient. These will often help to soothe any irritation that may be present, easing the severity of the tickling. The lozenges are sometimes formulated to include honey or cloves, both of which aid in minimizing the tickling and also help to coat the throat.

Honey may help soothe a throat tickle.
Honey may help soothe a throat tickle.

Peppermint candy is also sometimes very effective in dealing with a throat tickle. Hard peppermints that can be placed into the mouth and allowed to gradually dissolve help to coat the throat and provide a soothing sensation. Soft peppermints that dissolve more rapidly can also be used if desired. This approach can often work well if throat lozenges are not readily available.

Cloves can be steeped in water and combined with honey and lavender to soothe the throat.
Cloves can be steeped in water and combined with honey and lavender to soothe the throat.

Another approach is to try drinking lots of fluids. Tea that is sweetened with a little honey will often help minimize the sensation of the throat tickle. Steeping cloves in hot water, then adding some honey and a small amount of lavender may also help to ease the irritation and help coat the throat, flushing out any mucus that may be lingering there.

Getting antibiotics from a doctor may be necessary.
Getting antibiotics from a doctor may be necessary.

Over the counter cough medication may also help ease the discomfort of a throat tickle. This is particularly true with liquid cough medicines that can coat the throat and soothe the irritation which is causing the tickling sensation. Follow the directions and do not exceed the recommended dosage without first consulting a physician.

In some cases, the throat tickle may be a sign of some type of more serious underlying health issue. Should the tickling persist over several days, don’t hesitate to see a physician. An examination can determine if the tickling is in fact a symptom of a specific ailment, making it possible to initiate treatments that will help bring about healing of that illness and eliminate the tickling as part of the process.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon970081

I have the throat tickle too. It's so annoying, but I just drink hot drinks and it helps.

anon963585

I've tried everything. I can't even sleep and makes me throw up. I don't know what to do. My throat is sore from this and this stinks.

burcinc

@lighth0se33-- I know what you mean! I get a throat tickle all the time when I get seasonal allergies and during winter too. I think the cold air dries my throat and allergies irritate it.

Hydration is definitely the best solution. I think most of us don't drink enough water in general. But it makes all the difference, whether you're having a throat tickle and cough, fatigue or a cold. What I do is sip on warm water all day and have hot drinks as much as I can.

Soup is also great. I really like those dry Asian soup mixes for this. I get the lemongrass and ginger ones. They're really soothing for the throat and basically get rid of the tickle for the rest of the day.

lighth0se33

It seems like any type of hot liquid is a good throat tickle remedy. Even hot coffee can help, and though it isn't particularly soothing to someone with a scratchy throat, it does get rid of a post-nasal drip tickle.

That's what I'm always dealing with. My persistent allergies cause mucus to drip into my throat all the time, and hot liquids seem to cut through that and help ease the mucus on down my throat.

I particularly love to drink spicy tea. I use a mix that contains cloves and cinnamon, and it is powerful enough to wash out the irritants. I don't drink it at night, though, because it tends to wake me up.

Perdido

@shell4life – You will be happy to know that the fruit flavored lozenges work great at treating a tickle in the throat. I personally prefer the wild berry kind, but I have seen all different flavors, ranging from citrus to watermelon.

You are right about the taste of the menthol ones being hard to bear. Imagine trying to give these to your kids! It simply won't work.

That's actually how I discovered the good flavored lozenges. I was looking for something that my daughter could stand to use for her scratchy throat, and I came across these. Now, I use them to treat my own sore or tickling throat.

shell4life

Has anyone here ever tried fruit flavored throat lozenges? I have been using the menthol and honey flavored ones, because they seem to be the strongest. They work great, but I get so sick of the taste.

After I have had a couple of them, they begin to nauseate me. I really want to have something more flavorful in my mouth, but fruit lozenges sound too good to be true.

The menthol ones really penetrate my sinuses, so if I'm congested, they clear this up while working on the tickle in my throat at the same time. I just don't know how many more of them I can stand to use.

wavy58

I often get a tickle in my throat when I'm recovering from a bad sore throat caused by a cold. After the initial swelling and soreness has subsided, I am left with a super scratchy, dry throat. Every time I try to swallow, I can feel that there is no moisture back there, and I feel an unpleasant tickling sensation as the liquid tries to scramble across the roughness.

I like to drink lemon echinacea tea during this time. It soothes my tickling throat, and it seems to coat it so that fluid can travel across it more easily.

If I sweeten the tea with a bit of honey, the relief is multiplied. I usually keep a mug of this hot tea with me at all times while recovering from a sore throat, and if I'm at work, I take it in a thermos.

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    • Honey may help soothe a throat tickle.
      By: Jaimie Duplass
      Honey may help soothe a throat tickle.
    • Cloves can be steeped in water and combined with honey and lavender to soothe the throat.
      By: bergamont
      Cloves can be steeped in water and combined with honey and lavender to soothe the throat.
    • Getting antibiotics from a doctor may be necessary.
      By: Alexander Raths
      Getting antibiotics from a doctor may be necessary.
    • Throat lozenges can be a quick way to treat a throat tickle.
      By: FirstBlood
      Throat lozenges can be a quick way to treat a throat tickle.
    • Hard peppermint candy is commonly used to relieve a throat tickle.
      By: VIPDesign
      Hard peppermint candy is commonly used to relieve a throat tickle.
    • Using a humidifier can help alleviate throat soreness.
      By: StockPhotosArt
      Using a humidifier can help alleviate throat soreness.