What to Do for a Dry Throat

A List of Potential Causes and Remedies

Medically reviewed by Jane Kim, MD

Various factors, including dehydration, allergies, smoking, and mouth breathing, can trigger a dry, scratchy, or parched-feeling throat. Depending on the cause, expert-recommended measures can treat a dry throat at home.

This article discusses common causes of a dry throat, tips on treatment options, and when to seek medical attention.

Symptoms: How Dry Throat Feels

A dry throat usually feels a little different than a sore throat. Instead of a burning or painful feeling that comes with a sore throat, a dry throat may instead feel scratchy. The tongue may also feel dry, too.

In addition to a dry, parched throat, you might also experience:

• A dry or burning feeling in your mouth

• A dry tongue

• Increased thirst

• Slight difficulty swallowing or speaking

• Dry, cracked lips

• Bad breath (halitosis)
  

Causes of Dry Throat

Your throat usually remains moist due to salivary glands, which produce saliva to keep the throat and mouth lubricated. However, various factors can make the throat dry, scratchy, and uncomfortable.

Dehydration

Even mildly dehydrated (or insufficient fluids) may prompt a dry throat feeling. Salivary glands in the throat and mouth can halt production when you haven't had enough water to drink, triggering a dry throat.

You may also notice other symptoms like thirst or a dull headache. A dry environment can also contribute to dehydration and a dry throat.

Sleep Habits

A couple of different sleep-related factors could lead to your waking up with a dry throat. As you sleep, compared to during the day, less saliva is released into the mouth, to keep the area moist. Breathing through your mouth or snoring could cause additional dryness in the throat.

Some people who snore may breathe in heavily through the mouth, causing vibrations and a rush of dry air that could irritate the throat.

Dealing With Dry Throat at Night

If your dry throat tends to worsen overnight, consider taking the following precautions:

• Using an adhesive strip, such as Breathe Right, along the bridge of your nose to keep the nasal passages open during slumber

• Trying an alcohol-free mouthwash at night or one that's specifically made for dry mouth and throat

• Avoiding fans and air-conditioning if allergies are to blame

• Considering running a humidifier in your bedroom at night, which can add moisture to the air and help prevent the throat from drying out

• Drinking a glass of water before bed to limit waking up with a dry throat

• Checking with a healthcare provider about the possibility of a sleep disorder like sleep apnea (stopping and restarting breathing throughout sleep), which may require specific treatment to fix the snoring and the dry throat
  

Allergies

"Allergic rhinitis", the medical term for hay fever and allergies to indoor triggers like mites and dust, may also be a culprit for a dry throat. Exposure to an allergen can trigger allergy symptoms, like inflammation of the nasal passages and a dry throat.

One study shows that people who experience nasal congestion from allergies are more likely to experience a dry throat than those who don't have allergies.

Medications

Some types of medications can cause a dry mouth and throat. Research shows that hundreds of different over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications affect the salivary glands in this way.

Some of the most common culprits are:

• Antihistamines

• Anticholinergics

• Antispasmodics

• Antidepressants

• Antihypertensives

• Anticonvulsants

• Benzodiazepines

• Bronchodilators

• Diuretics

• Decongestants

Taking more than one of these medications simultaneously can increase the likelihood of dry mouth and throat.

Smoking

Smoking—whether using tobacco, cannabis, vapes, or other products—invites irritants into the mouth, throat, and airways, which may lead to an uncomfortable, scratchy, and dry feeling in the throat.

While exposure to secondhand smoke may also trigger a dry throat, research suggests that people who smoke frequently are more likely to experience this symptom.

Health Conditions

Health conditions that can contribute to a dry throat include:

• Diabetes (which can lead to reduced saliva production)

• Sjögren's syndrome (an autoimmune condition that attacks the salivary glands)

• Parkinson's disease (a nervous system disorder that can impact saliva production)
  

Stress, anxiety, and depression may also contribute to dry mouth. One study found that these health conditions may lower saliva production, leading to dry throat and mouth symptoms.

People with sleep apnea are more likely to have a dry throat after waking up in the morning.

Voice Overuse

One study found that participants who speak frequently at work often experience hoarseness and dry throat. Other voice-related activities, such as singing or shouting in loud environments, could also prompt a similar dry throat response.

How to Treat Dry Throat at Home

To treat a dry throat at home, you'll want to focus on soothing, moisturizing remedies that help retain the saliva flow in the mouth and throat.

Options include:

• Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water to prompt adequate flow of saliva

• Limiting caffeine, which can cause dehydration

• Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on throat lozenges to help stimulate saliva production

• Avoiding tobacco and alcohol, particularly in the evening, which can be dehydrating
  

• Treating any existing allergies with medicines that don't cause dry mouth as a side effect
  

• Making a conscious effort to breathe through the nose instead of the mouth

• Using a moisturizing mouth and throat spray to keep the area moist

• Drinking a warm drink, like a soothing tea, to keep the throat lubricated
  

When to See a Healthcare Provider

An occasional dry throat likely isn’t a cause for concern. But if you’re experiencing a frequent dry throat that isn’t going away despite trying home remedies, it’s a good idea to check with a healthcare provider. You should seek medical help if you notice:

• Extreme difficulty swallowing or breathing

• Severe pain

• A burning sensation in the mouth and throat

• White patches in the mouth and throat

They’ll ask questions about your symptoms and medical history and then perform a physical exam of the mouth and throat to rule out any other health concerns. If applicable, a healthcare provider may also recommend treatments, such as:

• OTC or prescription treatments to address any underlying health conditions

• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), a device used to treat sleep apnea, if it’s determined that sleep apnea is the cause of your dry throat

• Surgery in severe cases to repair a structural issue like a deviated septum, where your nasal passages are misplaced

Summary

Different factors can cause a dry throat, including dehydration, health conditions, certain medications, and allergies. Treatment options will depend on the underlying cause of your dry throat. Home remedies like staying hydrated, using throat lozenges and sprays, running a humidifier in the bedroom, and limiting caffeine may help.

See a healthcare provider if your dry throat isn't going away or if you notice additional symptoms like severe pain or difficulty swallowing or breathing.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.