7 Ways to Stop Tickle in Throat at First Sign of Cough or Cold
For many, the first sign of an oncoming cold or flu is that tell-tale tickle at the back of the throat. This first stage of infection is called the incubation period, which lasts about two to three days. You may also experience a runny nose during this time, followed by sneezing, coughing, headaches, and body aches.
Find out what to do if you have a tickle in your throat, other causes to consider, and how homeopathic medication may help prevent or shorten a full-blown cough or cold.
Tickle in Throat Causes
The most common reason for a tickle in your throat is the cold or flu, which affects the upper respiratory tract. When the mucous membranes of the throat, esophagus, or trachea are irritated by a pathogen, your body amps up the production of mucus to clear it from your system.
Postnasal drip, in which excess mucus drips down the back of the throat, can also cause a tickle in the throat. Though postnasal drip is a possible symptom of the cold or flu, it can also be caused by allergies, sinusitis, or irritants in the air.
Acid reflux is another possible cause for this throat sensation. The condition causes acid in your stomach to creep back up into your esophagus, causing a tickling feeling.
Other possible reasons for this tickle include:
- Asthma
- Environmental irritants
- Dehydration
Will it Definitely Turn into a Cough or Cold?
Because viral infections are not the only cause of throat irritation, that annoying tickle may not lead to a cough or cold. However, taking precautions to rev up your immune system can help prevent a cough or cold if the tickle is caused by a virus, and the time to start your course of Brillia Health.
It’s also best to protect the people around you in case you are infected with a cold or flu. According to the CDC, most cases of a sore throat are viral and therefore contagious.1
How to Stop Your Throat Tickle
From using throat lozenges to taking an over-the-counter (OTC) medication like Brillia, there are ways to ease that tickle and prevent further illness. Here are seven things you should do to feel better faster:
1. Use Throat Lozenges
By helping to stimulate saliva production, throat lozenges can help keep your throat moist and ease irritation. Some lozenges have other soothing and immune-boosting ingredients like honey, zinc, and elderberry. Brillia Health Cough Control can also be a great option, because not only will it help control your cough and sore throat pain, it can also help shorten the duration of your cough.
2. Gargle with Salt Water
Highly effective for itchy throats caused by bacteria or viruses, salt water can help reduce irritation as well as mucus build up.2 Simply add 1/2 teaspoon of salt into one cup of warm water and gargle several times daily.
3. Use a Humidifier
Dry, cold air can irritate your already irritated throat and make you feel even worse. Use a humidifier to moisten air to calm your inflamed airways. A humidifier will also help to break up mucus and relieve congestion if you are also suffering from a stuffy nose.3
4. Drink Lots of Liquids
Keeping your throat lubricated is crucial to soothing your sore throat as well as keeping your immune system strong. While water is effective on its own, warm beverages like herbal tea or broth can keep you hydrated and calm inflammation in your throat.
5. Take an OTC Medication
There are a number of OTC medications claiming to ease sore throat pain and irritation, but many of them are associated with harmful side effects like nausea, drowsiness, and diarrhea.
An alternative to these common medications is Brillia Health Cough Control, which uses targeted antibodies to reduce the inflammation causing throat pain. One of the active ingredients in Cough Control is lapine histamine immune globulin antibody, which binds to the histamines your body releases when sick and prevents them from causing inflammation. This gently and effectively reduces sore throat at the source of symptoms without overloading the immune system with harsh, synthetic chemicals or causing any off-target effects. Other active ingredients in Cough Control help calm the coughing reflex and block pain signals to the brain so you can rest and recover comfortably.
If you suspect that your throat tickle is the result of a cold or flu, you can take Cough Control together with the Cold-Flu Recovery product, which offers multi-symptom relief and increases the immune response. Brillia Health products are clinically proven to reduce the severity and the duration of colds and flus.
6. Avoid Known Triggers Like Pollen or Dust
Because environmental irritants like pollen and dust can also cause a tickle in the throat, avoiding these triggers is helpful. Other potential triggers to steer clear of include cigarette smoke, air pollution, and certain cleaning or beauty products.
7. Get Plenty of Rest - Listen to Your Body!
If you suspect your throat tickle is your body’s way of signaling a cold or virus, make it a priority to rest as much as possible. Your immune system relies on rest to function properly and keep you from getting sicker. Try to take it easier during the day and go to bed earlier. You may just wake up fully recovered.
Find out more about how Brillia Health products work and explore more tips on how to keep your immune system strong and healthy at the Brillia(nce) Resource Center.
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