It's an all too common human experience to roll out from under the covers and realize that your throat is dry. This annoying symptom can make it difficult to speak, swallow, or even eat. We're here to help you understand the most likely causes of a dry throat and what to do about it.
Did you know that you have hundreds of salivary glands that supply saliva to your mouth and throat? These glands rely on a steady supply of water to do their job. Dehydration can cause a lack of saliva production, along with a dry throat and dry mouth.
Saliva helps lubricate your throat and mouth, so it’s important to ensure your body can make enough of it to prevent a dry feeling. If dehydration is your problem, effective home remedies for dry throat might be as simple as finding ways to drink more water. To stimulate saliva production, considering chewing sugar-free gum or consuming dairy products.
Helpful tip: According to Penn Medicine, there's no single right amount of water to drink. A good guide to follow is that you should consume around a half-ounce a day for each pound that you weigh on a typical day. So, a 200-pound person should consume 100 ounces of water daily. If you live in a hot climate or perform strenuous activity, the amount could be higher.
Hay fever (also known as allergic rhinitis) occurs when your body is sensitive to particles entering through your airway, increasing mucus production and inflaming your nasal passages. This response can cause you to experience a range of symptoms, including a dry throat.
Allergens and irritants like pollen, dander, dust, and smoke are likely to trigger hay fever.
If you’re experiencing hay fever, your symptoms may include:
- Dry throat or dry mouth
- Cough
- Congested or runny nose
- Itchiness
- Tiredness
It can be frustrating to deal with hay fever, but there are various steps you can take to prevent exposure and manage your symptoms.
Treatment and prevention tips include:
- Medications: Both prescription and over-the-counter options are available to reduce some of the most annoying symptoms, like runny nose and dry throat. These options include antihistamines, decongestants, and other widely available options.
- Air Conditioning: Avoid fans that can blow particles around in favor of air conditioning that can help remove them from the air.
- Protect your eyes: Wear sunglasses to block particles from entering your eyes, and try not to rub your eyes to avoid aggravating them.
- Keep a clean environment: Regular removal of potential irritants or allergens will help prevent episodes or reduce your symptoms.
The common cold is, as the name suggests, incredibly common. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, this condition leads to more people visiting healthcare professionals and calling out from work than any other. It’s caused by over 200 different viruses, though they all produce similar symptoms.
Symptoms of the common cold may include:
- Mucus in your throat
- Itchy throat
- Congested or runny nose
- Fever
- Soreness or tiredness
While there’s no cure for the common cold, there are many steps you can take to reduce its symptoms:
- Drink plenty of fluids and get a lot of rest
- Use over-the-counter medications as instructed on the packaging, like decongestants, cough medicine, antihistamines, or pain medication
- Gargle with a mixture of salt dissolved in warm water
Did you know: Despite what you may have heard from friends and relatives, the common cold is not caused by exposure to cold or wetness.
If you go to bed feeling fine but wake up with a bothersome dry throat, you might be breathing through your mouth while you sleep. This can be caused by a congested nose or throat, back sleeping, or another medical condition.
You may also find yourself with a dry throat in the morning if you experience sleep apnea, a condition that disrupts your breathing and sleep. Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can cause other health problems, so it’s a great idea to speak with your medical professional.
To prevent waking up to an annoying dry throat, it’s a good idea to drink a glass of water before bed to help prevent dehydration, avoid sleeping on your back if possible, and take steps to unclog your nose, so you don’t breathe out of your mouth.
There are many potential causes for your dry throat, so it’s your best bet to determine and treat its underlying cause. While it can be hard to do this on your own, luckily, there are medical professionals at your disposal to assist with expert diagnosis and treatment. You’re now informed of the top causes of your dry throat and ready to manage your symptoms.
Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D.O. — Written by Lana Burgess on March 14, 2018
- Causes
- Treatments and home remedies
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Experiencing a dry throat is common, particularly in the cold winter months. But what causes a dry throat and how can it be treated?
There are many reasons why someone might develop a dry throat. Most of the causes are minor, but sometimes a dry throat may be the result of a more serious underlying condition.
This article explores the causes, medical treatments, and home remedies for a dry throat.
The different causes and associated symptoms of a dry throat are explored below:
Hayfever and other allergies
Share on PinterestPotential causes of a dry throat include allergies, dehydration, and tonsillitis.
Around 30 to 40 percent of the world’s population is affected by allergies. When a person has seasonal allergies, substances in their environment cause their immune system to overreact.
Common triggers include:
- pollen
- grass
- mold
- dust mites
- pet hair
- certain foods
For a person with seasonal allergies, these allergens cause the immune system to release a chemical called histamine.
As well as a dry throat, the histamine released in an allergic reaction may cause:
- a cough
- stuffy or runny nose
- itchy skin, mouth, or eyes
Sleeping with the mouth open
If a person falls asleep with their mouth open, they may wake up with a dry throat. This also happens if a person starts breathing through their mouth when they are asleep.
When the mouth is left open, air dries the saliva a person produces to keep their mouth moist. As a result, their throat and mouth may feel dry when they wake up.
Someone can also snore and end up with bad breath if they keep their mouth open when sleeping.
Dehydration
When a person is dehydrated, they may get a dry throat. Other signs of dehydration include:
- feeling very thirsty
- urinating less
- having dark urine
- tiredness
- dizziness
Dehydration is caused by not drinking enough water.
Common cold
Share on PinterestThe common cold may cause a dry or sore throat, alongside a runny nose or sneezing.
A dry throat may be a symptom of the common cold. The common cold is a term for an infection that is caused by one of several different viruses.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an adult will get 2 to 3 colds each year, on average. A cold may make a person’s throat feel dry, scratchy, or sore. The underlying infection may also cause:
- runny, stuffy nose
- sneezing
- a cough
- mild fever
- body aches
Flu
A dry, scratchy, or a sore throat may be a symptom of influenza, otherwise known as the flu.
The flu is a respiratory illness caused by an influenza virus. According to the CDC, flu symptoms usually begin an average of 2 days after a person has been exposed to the flu virus.
The flu is more serious than the common cold, and a person with the flu may need bed rest.
Mononucleosis
A dry, scratchy throat may be a symptom of mononucleosis. This is a disease that is usually caused by an infection by the Epstein-Barr virus. It is most frequently passed on through a person’s bodily fluids, with saliva transmission being very common.
Mononucleosis is commonly known as mono or the “kissing disease.” It most often affects teenagers and those of college age, but a person may catch it at any time in their life.
As well as a dry, scratchy, or a sore throat, the symptoms of mono include:
- fever
- swollen lymph nodes in neck and armpits
- headache
- fatigue
- muscle weakness
- swollen tonsils
- night sweats
Mono typically lasts 2 to 4 weeks, but for some, their body may take longer to recover.
Acid reflux
A dry throat may be a symptom of acid reflux. The acid in the food pipe causes a burning, dry throat, as well as:
- trouble swallowing
- a dry cough
- hoarse voice
- burping
The proper name for this condition is gastroesophageal reflux disease, abbreviated to GERD. It causes acid to come up from the stomach into the food pipe.
Tonsillitis
A dry throat may be a symptom of tonsilitis. This is inflammation of the tonsils, which is commonly caused by infection with a virus but can also be caused by bacteria. The tonsils are fleshy lumps at the back of the throat that help fight infections.
As well as a dry, scratchy, or a sore throat, symptoms of tonsillitis include:
- swollen, red, or white patches on the tonsils
- fever
- hoarse voice
- swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- headache
- bad breath
Strep throat
A dry throat may be a symptom of strep throat. This is a throat infection that leads to a very sore, dry throat. It is caused by the bacterium, Streptococcus pyogenes.
Other symptoms of strep throat include:
- swollen, red, or white patchy tonsils
- fever
- swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- rash
- nausea and vomiting
- body aches
The best treatment for a dry throat depends on the underlying cause, as follows:
Hayfever and other allergies
Nasal decongestants may help to treat a dry throat caused by hayfever.
Medical treatments for hayfever include the following:
- antihistamine medications, these may be prescribed or over-the-counter
- corticosteroid nasal sprays, eye drops, or tablets
- nasal decongestants
- moisturizing eye drops
- allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots)
Immunotherapy involves gradually increasing exposure to allergens in controlled conditions. This aims to help the immune system become tolerant of them, reducing allergy symptoms over time.
Dietary home remedies for hayfever include eating more of the following:
- Ginger: According to this 2016 study, the anti-inflammatory properties of ginger may reduce symptoms of hayfever.
- Garlic: This is a good source of quercetin, an antioxidant with an antihistamine effect.
- Onion: This is another good source of quercetin.
Sleeping with mouth open
Mouth breathing while asleep may be caused by nasal congestion, which can be treated with:
- nasal decongestants
- antihistamines
- corticosteroid nasal sprays
An adhesive strip that is worn over the bridge of the nose may also reduce mouth breathing.
Dehydration
If a person is feeling dehydrated, they should drink fluids to rehydrate. By drinking more fluid, someone will be less fatigued, increase their urine output, and their urine will be lighter in color.
A person should drink an ample amount of water during the day to stay hydrated. Alcohol, coffee, and other caffeinated drinks should be drunk in moderation, as they may lead to dehydration.
Common cold and flu
The following medical and home treatments may help relieve symptoms of the common cold and flu:
- Hydrating: Drinking plenty of water, juice, or lemon water to stay hydrated.
- Resting: Getting plenty of rest to allow the body to recover.
- Gargling: Gargling with plain or salt water may help soothe a dry, sore throat. A 2005 study found this helps to reduce symptoms or even prevent upper respiratory tract infections in otherwise healthy people.
- Decongesting: Using over-the-counter (OTC) intranasal drops and sprays may help reduce nasal congestion. Similarly, OTC cough and cold remedies taken orally may help and relieve pain.
- Humidifying: Breathing in humid air may help ease nasal congestion and throat pain. Similarly, taking a shower or using a steam vaporizer is a good idea.
- Compressing: Placing a warm compress over the forehead and nose can relieve help sinus pain and headache.
Infectious mononucleosis
The following treatments may help relieve the symptoms of mono:
- getting plenty of rest
- taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce fever and relieve pain
- gargling to help soothe the throat
Acid reflux
The following medical treatments and lifestyle may help relieve acid reflux:
- Antacids: These help neutralize stomach acid.
- Maintaining a healthy weight: Additional weight can put pressure on the stomach, pushing acid back up the food pipe.
- Wearing loose fitting clothes: This reduces pressure on the stomach.
- Eating little and often: Avoiding big meals helps reduce acid reflux.
- Avoiding tobacco smoking: Smoking can reduce the tone of the valve that keeps acid in the stomach.
- Avoiding spicy, fatty, high caffeine foods: These can increase acid reflux symptoms.
Tonsilitis
Treatments for tonsillitis include:
- staying hydrated
- resting
- taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve pain
- gargling, breathing humid air, and sucking lozenges to soothe the throat
- antibiotic therapy for a bacterial infection
Strep throat
A doctor will prescribe an antibiotic to treat strep throat as it is a bacterial infection. To relieve symptoms, the following may also help:
- taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen to ease pain or fever
- gargling
- sucking on lozenges
A person should also speak to their doctor if they experience:
- trouble swallowing
- wheezing or shortness of breath
- rash
- chest pain
- extreme fatigue
- high fever over 101.0 degrees Fahrenheit or 38.3 degrees Celsius
Additionally, a doctor should give a medical evaluation if a dry throat continues for more than 1 to 2 weeks.
Buying remedies
Some of the over the counter and home remedies listed in this article are available for purchase online. Before using any remedies, ensure they are suitable treatments for the condition causing a dry throat. Speak to a doctor for advice.
- ibuprofen
- antihistamines
- nasal sprays
- lozenges
- humidifiers
Last medically reviewed on March 14, 2018
- Respiratory
- Ear, Nose, and Throat
- Flu / Cold / SARS
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//www.cdc.gov/epstein-barr/about-mono.html - Common colds: Protect yourself and others. (2018, February 12)
//www.cdc.gov/features/rhinoviruses/index.html - Influenza (flu). (2017, October 3)
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