What to do if you have a dry, itchy throat and a cough

　　When seasons change, long-term throat use, long stay in air-conditioned rooms, or haze attacks, many people will experience symptoms of dry and itchy throats and paroxysmal coughs, which not only affects work communication, but also interferes with sleep quality. These discomforts are mostly related to throat mucosal irritation, water loss or inflammatory response.

What to do if you have a dry, itchy throat and a cough

　　1. Instantly hydrate and moisturize throat

　　Drink plenty of warm water with a temperature of 35-40℃. Take small sips and swallow slowly to keep the throat mucosa moist.； You can also make non-irritating throat soothing drinks, such as honey lemonade and snow pear water, to relieve dryness and itching. Avoid drinks that are too hot, sweet, or caffeinated to avoid aggravating irritation.

　　2. Diet conditioning and soothing

　　Eat more foods that moisten the lungs and promote body fluids, such as steamed pears, white fungus and lily soup, loquats, etc. to supplement vitamins and water.； Avoid spicy, fried, raw and cold foods to reduce irritation to the throat mucosa. If you are uncomfortable due to acid reflux, you need to eat less glutinous rice, sweet potatoes and other foods that are prone to acid reflux, and do not lie down immediately after meals.

　　3. Improve environmental humidity

　　In air-conditioned rooms or dry environments, place a humidifier to maintain the humidity at 50%-60% to avoid excessive evaporation of throat moisture.； Open windows for ventilation 2-3 times a day for 30 minutes each time to reduce the concentration of allergens such as dust and mites and relieve irritating coughs.

　　4. Avoid bad stimulation

　　Quit smoking and stay away from second-hand smoke and kitchen fumes. These substances can directly damage the throat mucosa.； For dry and itchy coughs in the early stages of a cold, do not blindly use powerful cough medicines. A slight cough can help expel phlegm, and diet therapy can assist recovery.

What should you be wary of if you have a dry, itchy throat and a cough?

　　1. Symptoms persist for more than 1 week

　　If the dry and itchy cough is still not relieved after home care, or if the cough worsens and the sputum is bloody, it may be a sign of chronic pharyngitis, bronchitis and other diseases, and timely medical treatment is required.

　　2. Accompanied by systemic symptoms

　　If fever, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and hoarseness occur at the same time for more than 2 weeks, it may be related to pneumonia, laryngitis, etc., and treatment should not be delayed.

　　3. Special groups need to be cautious

　　The elderly, children, pregnant women, or those with underlying diseases such as asthma and COPD should consult a doctor in advance even if the symptoms are mild to avoid inducing the original condition.

　　Dry, itchy throat and cough are mostly common minor problems that can be alleviated by scientific care. However, when warning signs appear, you need to pay attention and seek medical treatment in time to protect your throat health.