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Itching in the throat
contents
- How does itching in the throat??
- Itching in the throat is not necessarily dangerous
- Respiratory diseases as the main cause
- Itching neck in case of allergies
- Itching in the throat due to irritation of the esophagus
- Itchy throat in thyroid disease
- diagnosis
- treatment
- drugs
- home remedies
- Naturopathy
- surgery
Likewise, the symptom of the jerk of the jaw is characteristic of a variety of allergic diseases. Although the itching itself is generally harmless, it should be clarified by a doctor if symptoms persist.
Itching is a symptom of various diseases. (Image: ALDECAstudio / fotolia.com) How does itching in the throat??
Itching (pruritus) is usually described as a persistent itching of the upper skin layer, as is typical, for example, for skin diseases such as psoriasis or neurodermatitis. However, in addition to the epidermis, other skin layers such as the mucous membranes may be affected. Here are rather diseases of the internal organs, infections or inflammatory processes in the body responsible for the itching.
If it is specifically for itching in the throat, it is in most cases an infectious disease or an inflammatory process in the respiratory tract as the trigger of the complaint. The itching is triggered by certain messengers, which are released at the focus of the disease and tickle there, so to speak, on the local nerves. This itchy tickling is sent as a warning signal of an existing tissue irritation to the brain and interpreted as an itch. Typical messengers that produce a corresponding itching in the throat are:
- histamine - A tissue hormone that is released in particular in allergies such as hay fever or food intolerances, but also acts as a messenger in inflammation and here provokes itching in addition to inflammation-based tissue swelling.
- serotonin - Also a tissue hormone that is significantly associated with the bloodstream, cardiovascular, intestinal vein and central nervous system. Although the main task of serotonin is to regulate certain system processes such as nerve contractions, the sleep-wake cycle or blood clotting, the messenger substance is also known as the so-called happiness hormone, which has a massive impact on our senses. In addition to moods such as inner peace or contentment, serotonin can also cause sensations such as pain, itching or scratching.
- cytokines - These proteins are responsible for cell growth in the body. In addition, they signal the immune cells in case of illness, to equip against hostile pathogens. Even the fight against tumor cells does not work without the signal effect of cytokines. Accompanying symptoms of such signal communication in the event of illness may be, among other things, redness, swelling and itching.
Caution: If itching by cytokines, it may even lead to an overreaction of the immune system in the worst case. Extremely high levels of inflammatory cytokines are released and the itching is then the least problem. Because the complication, in which one also speaks of the so-called cytokine storm (hypercytokinemia), is considered life-threatening and sometimes leads to extreme loss of function of the affected tissue or involved organs.
Itching in the throat is not necessarily dangerous
Of course, itching, tingling or scratching in the throat can also occur if the throat dries out and is not kept supple by too little saliva. For example, if you sleep too long with your mouth open, you may experience discomfort and wake up with an unpleasant itch in the throat, which disappears after a few sips. The same happens when staying in a low-humidity environment, for example due to dry heating air or particularly hot temperatures. And even some foods cause an itchy irritation in the throat, such as pieces of an apple peel, which settle in the throat or neck area.
Itching for a cold is not dangerous but unpleasant. (Image: contrastwerkstatt / fotolia.com) Respiratory diseases as the main cause
As a sign of an imminent flu or cold, an itchy and scratchy neck is probably known to everyone. The itching is triggered here by alarming messengers, which reacts with corresponding abnormal sensations on toxins, which are secreted by the responsible infectious agents. Frequently, sufferers reflexively try to relieve the itching first by frequent swallowing of saliva. Even sucking throat drops or swallowing lukewarm drinks can help to relieve the itchy sensation in the throat temporarily. Often, however, patients soon realize that these measures are only temporary relief and that the throat remains irritated due to ongoing inflammatory processes and that the mucous membranes feel increasingly roughened.
Not infrequently, the irritation that accompanies the itching, in the later course of the disease on the vocal cords and is increasingly speaking in a rough voice. The roughening of the mucous membrane continues to increase - not infrequently to the lower respiratory tract (for example, into the bronchi) and begins to irritate the larynx and ciliated epithelium of the lungs. As a result, the itchy neck likes to follow a dry, unproductive cough. In the upper part of the throat, in addition to the mucous membranes, the tonsils and the cervical lymph nodes may also swell due to irritation, which additionally causes a strong feeling of tightness as well as respiratory and swallowing complaints. Overall, the following accompanying symptoms are typical for itching in the course of respiratory diseases:
- fatigue,
- difficulty breathing,
- Dizzying sensation in the throat and neck area,
- fever,
- difficulties swallowing,
- sniff.
Infection of the upper respiratory tract often affects the ears. (Image: vladimirfloyd / fotolia.com Even the involvement of the ears can be found again and again in infections of the upper respiratory tract. Since the ears have a direct connection to the pharynx via the Eustachian tube, it is all too easy for pathogens to spread out of the ears in the throat and throat or, conversely, from the respiratory tract to the middle ear. In both cases, in addition to earache, in particular, a strong tingling sensation results in the area in which the Eustachian tube leads into the pharynx. Concerned in such an event formally feel how the pathogens move from hearing to the respiratory tract with annoying itching.
The list of conceivable respiratory diseases that can underlie the itchy neck is long. As already indicated, diseases of organs adjacent to the respiratory tract are also possible, provided that an inflammatory subsequent infection in the respiratory tract has occurred. The most important causes of illness are:
- Inflammation of the bronchi (Bronchitis),
- Cold or flu infection,
- flu (Influenza),
- Sore throat (Pharyngitis),
- Laryngitis,
- lung infection (Pneumonia),
- tonsillitis (Tonsillitis),
- Sinusitis (Sinusitis),
- sniff (Rhinitis).
Itching neck in case of allergies
As part of allergic reactions, itching in the neck area is also not uncommon. This can be perceived in the presence of allergy both in an actually felt itching, as well as in the form of tingling, burning or scratching. It is most commonly associated with itch pollen allergy or hay fever (allergic rhinitis). The itching arises here when the allergenic substances in the form of pollen in sufficient concentration come into contact with the receptors in the mouth and nasal cavity. Accompanying symptoms often paint a clear picture, because after contact with the allergen, it is mainly due to itching in the neck
- difficulty breathing,
- Eye redness,
- lacrimation,
- itchy to burning eyes,
- Sneeze,
- and stuffy nose.
Congested nose and itching often occur together. (Image: absolutimages / fotolia.com) Worth knowing: Pollen allergens are also referred to medically as aerosols. The term describes solid and liquid suspended particles dissolved in gas, whereby other aerosols besides pollen can act as allergens. This applies, for example, to fungal spores, house dust, environmental pollutants and chemical vapors. Also, they can lead to itching in the throat in the context of allergic reactions.
Unlike allergies to certain aerosols, an itchy neck occurs in food allergy sufferers as soon as the allergenic food or allergenic ingredient comes in contact with the buccal and pharyngeal mucosa. In addition to the mucous membranes of the throat and throat area, the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestine are usually affected by allergic reactions in food intolerances, which causes itching in the throat, in particular gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea or stomach pain.
Likewise, the skin can react with allergy behavior. Although in both cases the same messenger substance, namely histamine, is responsible for the allergic reactions, the combination of conceivable accompanying symptoms in food allergies is usually somewhat different than in the case of pollen allergy. Characteristic of the food allergy are here:
- burning esophagus,
- difficulties swallowing,
- colic,
- diarrhea,
- skin rash,
- itchy skin,
- Stomachache / stomach cramps,
- Nausea and vomiting
Caution: An allergic reaction may cause anaphylactic shock in the worst case! Behind this is an overreaching immune reaction, which mainly manifests itself in an increasingly difficult breathing, a swelling of all mucous membranes, increased blood pressure and palpitations and ultimately a circulatory collapse. Medical treatment is absolutely necessary here, so at the first sign of anaphylactic shock an emergency doctor should be called.
Itching in the throat due to irritation of the esophagus
The neck not only harbors part of the respiratory tract but also the esophagus. If it is affected by a disease, various sensations such as itching or an oppressive feeling in the neck are also conceivable. Very frequently, gastric acid flowing back into the esophagus, for example, leads to a scratching, tingling or even burning sensation in the throat, which can extend right up to the throat area. Because gastric acid attacks the esophageal mucosal cells due to its very acidic pH, oesophagitis is inevitable in such a scenario.
An overly acidic stomach can cause itchy itching. (Image: Gerhard Seybert / fotolia.com) Responsible for the reflux of the gastric juice may be various digestive complications. In the vast majority of cases, gastric reflux remains a one-time event and is usually due to heartburn, such as overeating or stress. However, the reflux of stomach acid can also become a chronic problem. This is usually the so-called reflux oesophagitis behind it. A condition in which it passes through
- permanent overproduction of stomach acid,
- Dysfunction in esophageal peristalsis
- or damage to the esophageal sphincter (Esophageal sphincter)
Irritation or inflammation of the esophagus occurs. The latter designates that ring of muscle which closes the stomach entrance in the direction of the esophagus and can only insufficiently prevent the gastric juice from ascending into the esophagus in existing underlying diseases.
Conceivable reasons for a disturbed function of the esophageal sphincter are, for example, bacterial infections of the stomach. In particular, the bacterium Helicobacter pylori provides in this regard for an infection-related gastritis (gastritis). Likewise, gastric ulcers or eating disorders such as bulimia are the trigger of reflux esophagitis. Especially disturbed eating habits are often underestimated. Because of the frequent vomiting of bulimia patients, the stomach and esophagus are charged twice. On the one hand, the esophageal and gastric peristalsis of the affected persons change over the long term due to the persistent vomiting reflex, which can lead to weaknesses in the esophageal sphincter. On the other hand, the vomiting also always a small amount of gastric acid is transported into the esophagus, which can lead to persistent scratching and itching in the throat due to chronic esophagitis.
In addition to these disease-related causes of an itchy neck in the context of an irritated esophagus may also cause damage to the esophageal mucosal cells by radiation or chemotherapy. If this is the case, it is called a radiation oesophagitis.
Furthermore, there are external influences that favor such itching. Particularly noteworthy here are irritations caused by chemical substances such as toxic solutions, sprays or other toxic substances. If they are swallowed, they will etch the esophageal mucosa, resulting in inflammation. Regardless of the underlying cause, an itchy neck caused by esophageal irritation is usually associated with several of the following concomitant symptoms:
- Burning or scratching in the esophagus,
- Inflammation of the esophagus,
- frequent belching and hawking,
- stomach pain,
- halitosis,
- Dysphagia or pain during swallowing,
- dry, irritating cough
Itchy throat in thyroid disease
Symptoms in the throat, which occur in the context of thyroid disease, although perceived by most sufferers as a foreign body and tightness in the upper neck, but it can also come in the early stages here to a tingling or scratching. As a cause of illness for this very often occurs either the hypothyroidism or its counterpart thyroid hyperfunction
on.
In addition, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune and chronic thyroid inflammation, may be behind the symptom. Sensations of the throat, which are noticeable as tingling, scratching or itching, are considered a cardinal symptom in this autoimmune disease.
Thyroid dysfunction can cause itchy itching. (Image: magicmine / fotolia.com) Thyroid dysfunctions are commonly accompanied by a host of other symptoms, sometimes very insidious, and initially limiting those affected only slightly. Since in thyroid disease, however, early treatment often determines the course of the disease, it is important to interpret the first symptoms correctly. Below you will find an overview of the often very contrary symptoms.
| symptom complex | Hyperthyroidism | Hypothyroidism / Hashimoto |
|---|---|---|
| drive | increased drive to hyperactivity | Throttled drive to the point of depression |
| metabolism | increased metabolic rate; Concerned people can eat as much as they want without noticeably increasing their weight. On the contrary, patients with hyperthyroidism usually appear to be relatively haggard | throttled metabolic rate; Even the "sight" of unhealthy foods makes the body weight of patients feel increased |
| need for sleep | small, few hours are enough | increased, even after many hours of sleep you feel tired |
| bowel movement | increased, tendency to diarrhea | throttled, tendency to blockages |
diagnosis
If no cold or other mild respiratory diseases can be found as the cause of an itchy neck, sufferers should consult a doctor for clarification. For behind the symptom can hide just as serious underlying diseases that are not to joke with. The diagnosis then usually follows the exclusion procedure. At the beginning, of course, is a detailed history of the patient, for example, to bring about possible familial accumulations of autoimmune diseases and allergies in experience. Even existing concomitant symptoms should be addressed by sufferers necessarily, as they provide relatively good evidence on relevant disease fields.
After the patient survey, a physical examination is then carried out. In particular, breathing and appearance of the throat and throat area are checked. Concomitant symptoms such as difficulty breathing, inflammation of the mucous membranes, swelling and redness can be best determined. Accordingly, diagnostic measures such as tapping or listening to the chest cavity for unusual noises or looking into the throat and throat space by means of a slit lamp are common. Even a smear to identify infectious agents is possible. Supplementary information on the health of the patient then provides a blood analysis, with the help of both inflammatory, as well as hormonal and immunological markers can be assessed.
treatment
Depending on which cause is responsible for the itching in the throat, there are different treatment measures. Without a drug treatment, it is often not. In addition, home remedies and naturopathy, especially for inflammation in the respiratory and esophageal area, offer good approaches to concomitant therapy.
drugs
The drug therapy of itching symptoms in the throat and throat area depends very much on the underlying cause. Allergies are treated by default with histamine-inhibiting drugs (antihistamines). At the same time, of course, the causative allergen must be avoided so that renewed allergic reactions can be avoided as much as possible.
For itching against the throat, for example, cough syrup helps. (Image: Markus Mainka / fotolia.com) Inflammations of the upper respiratory tract and the esophagus can be treated with medication by antibiotic therapy, provided bacteria or fungi are the cause of the inflammation. If a fungal infection is the cause of the symptoms, antifungal drugs that are administered orally or via the vein also help as an alternative.
An overproduction of gastric acid in the course of a reflux oesophagitis is treated in therapy by means of antacid drugs (antacids). Depending on the cause of the acid reflux, such treatment may be required as a short-term regimen of two to four weeks or even a lifetime.
Thyroid subfunctions can be treated with replacement therapies of under-produced thyroid hormones (usually thyroxine). In contrast, hyperthyroidism requires the administration of preparations that inhibit the overproduction of thyroid hormones. Corresponding medicines are called antithyroid drugs, with agents such as carbimazole, sodium perchlorate, propylthiouracil and thiamazole being commonplace. In any case, patients with thyroid dysfunction but must be monitored at regular intervals laboratory chemically and optionally adjusted in their dose.
In addition to targeted disease medication, the administration of anti-inflammatory, decongestant and / or analgesic drugs is conceivable in most cases. However, it is advisable to first use home remedies and medicinal herbs in the treatment of the symptoms before reaching for the pharmaceutical club. Because every remedy for the body is an additional burden in the degradation of alien substances, which is why tablets and Co. should only be considered if private measures are unsuccessful.
home remedies
Especially itching in the throat due to a dry or cooled throat area, due to viral infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract or due to stress-related reflux oesophagitis sometimes respond very well to home remedies. The possible private measures primarily include dietary and behavioral changes in everyday life. In any case, irritating substances such as nicotine, alcohol and exhaust gases should be avoided, as these only further burden the already irritated neck. All other measures then depend more or less on the underlying disease.
Home remedy for dry, chilled neck
Not infrequently itching, scratching or tingling in the neck has no direct disease value, but results from dehydration or cooling. However, one should keep in mind that a throat area attacked in this way always provides entry points for pathogens and sufferers tend so quickly to a cold or flu. For this reason, people susceptible to the above effects should pay special attention to their throat and throat area and take the following precautions:
- In cool weather do not wear a deep neckline and additionally protect your neck and chest area with a scarf or scarf.
- Ensure sufficient suppleness in the throat and throat. Best for this are cough drops with soothing herbal supplements as well as warm teas.
- Always drink a lot, so that your daily fluid requirements are covered and your body can always produce enough saliva to moisten the throat and throat mucous membranes.
- For a sufficient humidity in closed rooms, especially in winter care must be taken. Just put a bowl of water or put a damp cloth on the heater. If you want, you can also buy a special humidifier.
Regularly sucking cough drops moisten the neck. (Image: Björn Wylezich / fotolia.com) Home remedy for respiratory infections
- The top priority for infections of the respiratory tract is the support of the self-healing powers of your body. In addition to the intake of sufficient liquid here is also a vitamin-rich diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables in demand to strengthen the immune system.
- In addition to an immune-boosting diet, sufficient rest is also important. The body is already strained enough to fight against infectious agents and must therefore receive as much time for regeneration as possible.
- Even the proper cooling or warming of the neck area can relieve the itching in the neck. Whether more cooling measures such as cold compresses or heat treatments with grain pillows and hot water bottles are more pleasant, must be tried out individually.
Home remedy for stress-related reflux oesophagitis
Inflammation of the esophagus and stomach due to overproduction of gastric acid results in many cases from the combination of stress, nutritional imbalance and the use of addictive substances. Therefore, lifestyle change in these areas can not only provide short-term relief, but also a long-term cure for the symptoms.
- Avoid or at least reduce their consumption of addictive substances such as nicotine, caffeine, alcohol. Also, a reduction of foods that have many acidic or irritant ingredients, should be done to protect the esophagus. Above all, this refers to soft drinks, sweets, ready meals and spicy spices.
- You should not eat your last meal just before going to bed. Because the stomach is very difficult at night especially with the digestion, which could lead to heartburn in the presence of reflux oesophagitis. Also, the meals should not be too lavish to make digestion easier for the stomach.
- Sleep with a slightly elevated upper body, so that the stomach acid can not easily flow back into the esophagus.
- In an acute attack of acid reflux, you can drink a large sip of milk or slowly chew a piece of mixed bread or a tablespoon of oatmeal. The foods absorb the stomach acid and thus prevent reflux.
Naturopathy
According to experience, throat complaints respond very well to treatment with naturopathic remedies. Good experiences are made in this area with the use of sage, thyme and chamomile. The herbs can be used as tea, lollipops, wraps, gargles, steam baths and inhalations.
Some people swear by the homeopathic (combination) preparations in the healing treatment of an itchy neck. To name in this context, for example, Lycopodium, Belladonna and Phytolacca. These are to be used several times a day for throat and ear complaints as globules, to provide relief very quickly. However, the experiences are very different. In case of doubt: Simply give it a try after consulting with an experienced therapist.
surgery
Surgical treatment options are used in toddlers who often have ear infections. Here, small tubes are inserted into the Eustachian tube to allow the Entzündungssekreten the physiological Ausscheideweg on the tympanostomy tube.
If the esophagus is severely damaged as a result of chemical burns, sometimes the only option is surgical repair, which is often associated with partial loss of the esophagus and stomach. Thyroid dysfunction is sometimes considered as an operative therapy.
Diseases as causes of itching in the throat: Cold, bronchitis, pharyngitis, pneumonia, tonsillitis, flu, otitis, common cold, hay fever, sinusitis, laryngitis, food allergy, reflux oesophagitis, esophagitis, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism. (Ma)