Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsGERDEsophagitisLaryngitisBurning Mouth SyndromeCommon ColdFluTonsillitisStrep ThroatPostnasal DripCancer
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
GERD
Esophagitis
Laryngitis
Burning Mouth Syndrome
Common Cold
Flu
Tonsillitis
Strep Throat
Postnasal Drip
Cancer
The good news is that it’s fairly straightforward for a healthcare provider to tease out the cause. They will find it based on your other symptoms, a physical examination, and in some cases, diagnostic testing.
This article explains some common reasons for a burning throat. It also describes how each condition is treated to relieve sore throat pain, burning, and other symptoms.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Gastroesophageal refluxdisease (GERD) is a more severe form of gastroesophageal reflux (GER), which you likely know as acid reflux. Approximately half of all people experience acid reflux at some point in life.
Acid reflux is considered to have progressed to GERD when reflux happens repeatedly or does not respond to OTC treatments, such as antacids.The term “reflux” refers to the backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus—the tube that connects the throat to the stomach.
Sometimes the acid rises all the way up to the throat and voice box. When that happens, it’s calledlaryngopharyngealreflux(LPR).Interestingly, half of the people with LPR have “silent reflux,” which means they don’t experience heartburn or an upset stomach.
Other symptoms of LPR include:
Lifestyle changes may help with both GERD and LPR. These changes include quitting smoking and limiting or cutting out alcohol use. Some foods, like chocolate, spicy foods, and citrus fruits, may also trigger reflux. If you’re overweight or have obesity, losing weight can help you manage and prevent LPR.
Sometimes medication like a proton pump inhibitor is needed in addition to lifestyle changes.
Esophagitisis another condition that may cause burning in your throat. It is an inflammation of the esophagus, and GERD is a common cause.
When stomach acid is refluxed into the throat, it can cause irritation and inflammation. This usually leads to a burning sensation in the throat. It may also cause trouble or pain with swallowing.
Treatment will depend on the underlying cause. For example, if a fungal infection is involved, then an antifungal medication is needed. If GERD is the cause, then lifestyle changes and a proton pump inhibitor may be needed. If EoE is the issue, the medications Dupixent (dupilumab) or Eohilia (budesonide) may be prescribed.
Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) Symptoms and Diagnosis
Laryngitis is inflammation of the vocal cords, which are located in the larynx. Constant throat pain along with pain when talking and swallowing are typical characteristics of laryngitis.
Other symptoms of laryngitis include hoarseness or a feeling that you need to clear your throat.
Burning mouth syndrome is the medical term for a long-lasting—and sometimes very severe—burning sensation in the tongue, lips, gums, palate, or all over the mouth and throat. It has no clear health-related cause. Someone with burning mouth syndrome may also have adry mouthand/or a salty or metallic taste in the mouth.
Burning mouth syndrome is a complex problem and requires what’s known as a diagnosis of exclusion. This means that other potential causes of the symptoms must be ruled out first through a physical exam and blood tests.
Treatment may be challenging if the symptoms have no clear cause. If that’s the case, the focus is on helping to control symptoms.
How to Manage Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS)
In addition to a burning, itchy, or raw throat, especially when swallowing, someone with a viral infection of the throat may also experience a cough, runny nose, hoarseness, and/or diarrhea (in children).
Antibiotics don’t work against viruses. Thus, the goal of treatment is to manage the symptoms with rest, over-the-counter pain meds, saltwater gargles, and throat lozenges or sprays while the infection runs its course.
Flu symptoms usually start within two days of exposure to the influenza virus. In addition to sore throat, the flu is known to cause:
In addition to avoiding people who are sick and washing your hands with soap and water frequently, the best way to avoid the flu is to get a yearly flu vaccine.
The tonsils are large glands on either side of the back of the throat that make antibodies to help your body fight infection.
Sometimes, the tonsils themselves get infected and inflamed. Inflammation of the tonsils is called tonsillitis. Both bacteria and viruses can cause tonsillitis, but the most common cause is the bacteriaStreptococcus,or step.
Tonsillitis causes the throat to become painful and sore. Sore throat with tonsillitis usually starts suddenly. Other symptoms of tonsillitis include:
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Other signs and symptoms of strep throat often include:
“Strep” requires a trip to your healthcare provider for an antibiotic.If left untreated, the infection can spread and lead to serious issues likerheumatic fever,scarlet fever, and kidney inflammation.
Postnasal dripis sometimes called upper airway cough syndrome. It occurs when mucus and fluid from the sinuses and nose drain into your throat.
Postnasal drip is often described as a dripping sensation in the throat, which can be irritating and lead to a burning feeling. A cough is also common as you constantly attempt to clear your throat.
There are many different causes of postnasal drip including:
An antihistamine/decongestant medication, like Claritin-D, is often used to treat postnasal drip. Treating the root cause—for example, taking an antibiotic for a bacterial sinus infection—is also essential.
Sometimes the symptoms of GERD seem the same as postnasal drip, or both happen at the same time. This makes the diagnosis and treatment a bit more complex.
Find Relief for Postnasal Drip
Cancer of the vocal cords, larynx (voice box), pharynx, or other throat tissues is collectively referred to asthroat cancer. A sore throat that doesn’t go away, even after taking antibiotics, is a common sign of throat cancer.
Other symptoms of throat cancer can vary depending on the location of the tumor, but in general may include:
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Summary
There are a few possible reasons why you feel a burning in your throat. Problems with gastric reflux, whether GERD or LPR, are among the most common. Other issues include an inflamed esophagus or an infection.
While there may be less serious reasons, like postnasal drip, some of these conditions are serious or can become so. It’s important to let your healthcare provider know about your symptoms so you can get the right diagnosis and treatment.
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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