What Causes a Dry Cough and an Itchy Throat?
A dry cough and an itchy throat can be caused by several things, including environmental triggers, allergies, asthma, acid reflux and illnesses, such as the common cold, flu and strep, according to Mayo Clinic. Dry coughs may appear suddenly and go away quickly, but lingering coughs may indicate an underlying problem.
When people fall ill, their first and most common complaint is often a sore throat and general fatigue, as noted by WebMD. The onset of a sore throat may indicate an oncoming cold, flu or respiratory infection. Some illnesses, such as strep and pneumonia, warrant more immediate attention than colds, as those illnesses can spread quickly to other areas of the body. Sore throats can even stem from unusual and severe illnesses, such as the Ebola virus.
Like scratchy throats, dry coughs can arise from benign causes or indicate the presence of more serious conditions. Dry coughs, like itchy throats, can be caused by straining the vocal chords or even breathing in dry, cold air. More serious causes of coughs are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sinusitis, pneumonia and heart failure. Some coughs stem from underlying diseases or conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, emphysema and lung cancer. Since coughs and sore throats have many causes, it is important to consult a physician if symptoms worsen or do not improve.
