Cold and itchy throat: what to know

A cold commonly adds a runny or blocked nose and cough, while allergy often adds sneezing, itchy eyes and clear nasal discharge.

Post-nasal mucus can irritate the throat during a cold or allergic rhinitis. Dry indoor air, smoke, dust and strong scents can also make the lining feel scratchy. House dust mite allergy may cause symptoms around bedding or dusty rooms. An itchy throat after eating can be a sign of food allergy, especially if it starts quickly and occurs with mouth tingling, hives or swelling.

The symptom alone cannot identify its cause. Fever, body aches and cough lean toward infection, whereas repeated symptoms after a particular exposure suggest allergy or irritation.

Sip warm or cool fluids according to what feels comfortable, keep the air from becoming very dry and avoid smoke. Saline nasal rinsing may reduce mucus dripping into the throat when performed with safe water and clean equipment. Do not scratch the throat with hard foods. A pharmacist can discuss allergy medication when symptoms follow a trigger. If food seems responsible, avoid that food until you have received medical advice and keep a record of the timing and symptoms.

Call emergency services for throat or tongue swelling, wheezing, trouble breathing, faintness or difficulty swallowing after food, medicine or an insect sting. Seek medical advice for severe dehydration, worsening illness, a persistent fever, or symptoms that do not improve. A clinician can examine the throat and decide whether infection, allergy or another cause needs treatment.

Ask whether your symptoms fit a cold or allergic rhinitis, whether an exposure diary would help, which allergy medication is suitable, and what to do if throat swelling happens after eating.