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Table of Contents

Symptoms

Causes

Treatment

Seeking Medical Care

Various factors, includingdehydration, 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.

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Symptoms: How Dry Throat Feels

A dry throat usually feels a little different thana 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 Word From VerywellEveryone experiences dry throat occasionally but contact a healthcare provider for persistent symptoms. A careful review of your medical history, current medications, and a good exam can help you achieve improved comfort and better overall health.—JANE KIM, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD

A Word From Verywell

Everyone experiences dry throat occasionally but contact a healthcare provider for persistent symptoms. A careful review of your medical history, current medications, and a good exam can help you achieve improved comfort and better overall health.—JANE KIM, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD

Everyone experiences dry throat occasionally but contact a healthcare provider for persistent symptoms. A careful review of your medical history, current medications, and a good exam can help you achieve improved comfort and better overall health.

—JANE KIM, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD

Jane Kim, MD

Causes of Dry Throat

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

Dehydration

Evenmildly 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 enoughwater to drink, triggering a dry throat.

You may also notice other symptoms like thirst or adull 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 yourwaking 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 mouthor snoring could cause additional dryness in the throat.

Somepeople who snoremay breathe in heavily through the mouth, causing vibrations and a rush of dry air that could irritate the throat.

Dealing With Dry Throat at NightIf 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 slumberTrying an alcohol-freemouthwashat night or one that’s specifically made for dry mouth and throatAvoiding fans and air-conditioning if allergies are to blameConsideringrunning a humidifierin your bedroom at night, which can add moisture to the air and help prevent the throat from drying outDrinking a glass of water before bed to limit waking up with a dry throatChecking with a healthcare provider about the possibility of a sleep disorder likesleep apnea(stopping and restarting breathing throughout sleep), which may require specific treatment to fix the snoring andthe dry 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 slumberTrying an alcohol-freemouthwashat night or one that’s specifically made for dry mouth and throatAvoiding fans and air-conditioning if allergies are to blameConsideringrunning a humidifierin your bedroom at night, which can add moisture to the air and help prevent the throat from drying outDrinking a glass of water before bed to limit waking up with a dry throatChecking with a healthcare provider about the possibility of a sleep disorder likesleep apnea(stopping and restarting breathing throughout sleep), which may require specific treatment to fix the snoring andthe dry throat

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

Allergies

“Allergic rhinitis”, the medical term forhay feverand 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:

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 tosecondhand smokemay also trigger a dry throat, research suggests that people who smoke frequently are more likely toexperience this symptom.

Health Conditions

Health conditions that can contribute to a dry throat include:

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 experiencehoarsenessand dry throat.Othervoice-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 onsoothing, moisturizing remediesthat help retain the saliva flow in the mouth and throat.

Options include:

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:

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:

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.

26 SourcesVerywell 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.MedlinePlus.Sore throat.MedlinePlus.Dry mouth.National Health Service.Dry mouth.Renner B, Ahne G, Grosan E, Kettenmann B, Kobal G, et al.Tonic stimulation of the pharyngeal mucosa causes pain and a reversible increase of inflammatory mediators.Inflamm Res. 2013 Dec;62(12):1045-51. doi:10.1007/s00011-013-0663-7Mark AM.Is your mouth always dry?J Am Dent Assoc. 2020;151(12):972. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2020.08.015Zhang C, Shen Y, Liping F, Ma J, Wang GF.The role of dry mouth in screening sleep apnea.Postgrad Med J. 2021 May;97(1147):294-298. doi:10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-137619Amaro AC et al.The use of nasal dilator strips as a placebo for trials evaluating continuous positive airway pressure.Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2012;67(5):469-74. doi:10.6061/clinics/2012(05)11Johns Hopkins Medicine.Dry mouth remedies: 14 to try.American Academy of Pediatrics.Extreme heat: Tips to keep kids safe when temperatures soar.Jones ER, Cedeño Laurent JG, Young AS, et al.Indoor humidity levels and associations with reported symptoms in office buildings.Indoor Air. 2022;32(1):e12961. doi:10.1111/ina.12961Dempsey JA, Veasey SC, Morgan BJ, O’Donnell CP.Pathophysiology of sleep apnea.Physiol Rev. 2010;90(1):47–112. doi:10.1152/physrev.00043.2008MedlinePlus.Allergic rhinitis.Poachanukoon O, Kitcharoensakkul M.Snoring and sleep problems in children with and without allergic rhinitis: a case control study.J Med Assoc Thai. 2015 Mar;98 Suppl 2:S138-44Kapourani A, Kontogiannopoulos KN, Manioudaki AE, et al.A review on xerostomia and its various management strategies: the role of advanced polymeric materials in the treatment approaches.Polymers. 2022;14(5):850. doi:10.3390/polym14050850Mark AM.Is your mouth always dry?J Am Dent Assoc. 2020;151(12):972. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2020.08.015Tan ECK, Lexomboon D, Sandborgh-Englund G, et al.Medications that cause dry mouth as an adverse effect in older people: a systematic review and metaanalysis.J Am Geriatr Soc. 2018;66(1):76-84. doi:10.1111/jgs.15151National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Dry mouth: questions and answers.Adolfsson A, Lenér F, Marklund B, et al.Prevalence of dry mouth in adult patients in primary health care.Acta Odontologica Scandinavica. 2022;80(8):605-610. doi:10.1080/00016357.2022.2069282Şanlı A et al.Relationship between smoking and otorhinolaryngological symptoms.Kulak Burun Bogaz Ihtis Derg. 2016;26(1):28-33. doi:10.5606/kbbihtisas.2016.87059Lu J, Li J, Ren Y, Stevenson D, Bartlett M.An open label, self-controlled study to evaluate a “fresh clear” formulation on throat symptoms in a smoking population.Curr Dev Nutr. 2020;4(Suppl 2):431. doi:10.1093/cdn/nzaa045_064Mortazavi H, Baharvand M, Movahhedian A, et al.Xerostomia due to systemic disease: a review of 20 conditions and mechanisms.Ann Med Health Sci Res. 2014;4(4):503-510. doi:10.4103/2141-9248.139284Gholami N, Sabzvari BH, Razzaghi A, Salah S.Effect of stress, anxiety and depression on unstimulated salivary flow rate and xerostomia.J Dent Res Dent Clin Dent Prospects. 2017;11(4):247–252. doi:10.15171/joddd.2017.043Northwestern Medicine.Symptoms of sleep apnea.Murta JAN, Barbosa MS, Caldeira AP, et al.Factors associated with voice complaints in community health agents.Codas. 2021 Apr 12;33(1):e20200017. doi:10.1590/2317-1782/20202020017National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Dry mouth.UCSF Health.Dry mouth.

26 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.MedlinePlus.Sore throat.MedlinePlus.Dry mouth.National Health Service.Dry mouth.Renner B, Ahne G, Grosan E, Kettenmann B, Kobal G, et al.Tonic stimulation of the pharyngeal mucosa causes pain and a reversible increase of inflammatory mediators.Inflamm Res. 2013 Dec;62(12):1045-51. doi:10.1007/s00011-013-0663-7Mark AM.Is your mouth always dry?J Am Dent Assoc. 2020;151(12):972. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2020.08.015Zhang C, Shen Y, Liping F, Ma J, Wang GF.The role of dry mouth in screening sleep apnea.Postgrad Med J. 2021 May;97(1147):294-298. doi:10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-137619Amaro AC et al.The use of nasal dilator strips as a placebo for trials evaluating continuous positive airway pressure.Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2012;67(5):469-74. doi:10.6061/clinics/2012(05)11Johns Hopkins Medicine.Dry mouth remedies: 14 to try.American Academy of Pediatrics.Extreme heat: Tips to keep kids safe when temperatures soar.Jones ER, Cedeño Laurent JG, Young AS, et al.Indoor humidity levels and associations with reported symptoms in office buildings.Indoor Air. 2022;32(1):e12961. doi:10.1111/ina.12961Dempsey JA, Veasey SC, Morgan BJ, O’Donnell CP.Pathophysiology of sleep apnea.Physiol Rev. 2010;90(1):47–112. doi:10.1152/physrev.00043.2008MedlinePlus.Allergic rhinitis.Poachanukoon O, Kitcharoensakkul M.Snoring and sleep problems in children with and without allergic rhinitis: a case control study.J Med Assoc Thai. 2015 Mar;98 Suppl 2:S138-44Kapourani A, Kontogiannopoulos KN, Manioudaki AE, et al.A review on xerostomia and its various management strategies: the role of advanced polymeric materials in the treatment approaches.Polymers. 2022;14(5):850. doi:10.3390/polym14050850Mark AM.Is your mouth always dry?J Am Dent Assoc. 2020;151(12):972. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2020.08.015Tan ECK, Lexomboon D, Sandborgh-Englund G, et al.Medications that cause dry mouth as an adverse effect in older people: a systematic review and metaanalysis.J Am Geriatr Soc. 2018;66(1):76-84. doi:10.1111/jgs.15151National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Dry mouth: questions and answers.Adolfsson A, Lenér F, Marklund B, et al.Prevalence of dry mouth in adult patients in primary health care.Acta Odontologica Scandinavica. 2022;80(8):605-610. doi:10.1080/00016357.2022.2069282Şanlı A et al.Relationship between smoking and otorhinolaryngological symptoms.Kulak Burun Bogaz Ihtis Derg. 2016;26(1):28-33. doi:10.5606/kbbihtisas.2016.87059Lu J, Li J, Ren Y, Stevenson D, Bartlett M.An open label, self-controlled study to evaluate a “fresh clear” formulation on throat symptoms in a smoking population.Curr Dev Nutr. 2020;4(Suppl 2):431. doi:10.1093/cdn/nzaa045_064Mortazavi H, Baharvand M, Movahhedian A, et al.Xerostomia due to systemic disease: a review of 20 conditions and mechanisms.Ann Med Health Sci Res. 2014;4(4):503-510. doi:10.4103/2141-9248.139284Gholami N, Sabzvari BH, Razzaghi A, Salah S.Effect of stress, anxiety and depression on unstimulated salivary flow rate and xerostomia.J Dent Res Dent Clin Dent Prospects. 2017;11(4):247–252. doi:10.15171/joddd.2017.043Northwestern Medicine.Symptoms of sleep apnea.Murta JAN, Barbosa MS, Caldeira AP, et al.Factors associated with voice complaints in community health agents.Codas. 2021 Apr 12;33(1):e20200017. doi:10.1590/2317-1782/20202020017National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Dry mouth.UCSF Health.Dry mouth.

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.

MedlinePlus.Sore throat.MedlinePlus.Dry mouth.National Health Service.Dry mouth.Renner B, Ahne G, Grosan E, Kettenmann B, Kobal G, et al.Tonic stimulation of the pharyngeal mucosa causes pain and a reversible increase of inflammatory mediators.Inflamm Res. 2013 Dec;62(12):1045-51. doi:10.1007/s00011-013-0663-7Mark AM.Is your mouth always dry?J Am Dent Assoc. 2020;151(12):972. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2020.08.015Zhang C, Shen Y, Liping F, Ma J, Wang GF.The role of dry mouth in screening sleep apnea.Postgrad Med J. 2021 May;97(1147):294-298. doi:10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-137619Amaro AC et al.The use of nasal dilator strips as a placebo for trials evaluating continuous positive airway pressure.Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2012;67(5):469-74. doi:10.6061/clinics/2012(05)11Johns Hopkins Medicine.Dry mouth remedies: 14 to try.American Academy of Pediatrics.Extreme heat: Tips to keep kids safe when temperatures soar.Jones ER, Cedeño Laurent JG, Young AS, et al.Indoor humidity levels and associations with reported symptoms in office buildings.Indoor Air. 2022;32(1):e12961. doi:10.1111/ina.12961Dempsey JA, Veasey SC, Morgan BJ, O’Donnell CP.Pathophysiology of sleep apnea.Physiol Rev. 2010;90(1):47–112. doi:10.1152/physrev.00043.2008MedlinePlus.Allergic rhinitis.Poachanukoon O, Kitcharoensakkul M.Snoring and sleep problems in children with and without allergic rhinitis: a case control study.J Med Assoc Thai. 2015 Mar;98 Suppl 2:S138-44Kapourani A, Kontogiannopoulos KN, Manioudaki AE, et al.A review on xerostomia and its various management strategies: the role of advanced polymeric materials in the treatment approaches.Polymers. 2022;14(5):850. doi:10.3390/polym14050850Mark AM.Is your mouth always dry?J Am Dent Assoc. 2020;151(12):972. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2020.08.015Tan ECK, Lexomboon D, Sandborgh-Englund G, et al.Medications that cause dry mouth as an adverse effect in older people: a systematic review and metaanalysis.J Am Geriatr Soc. 2018;66(1):76-84. doi:10.1111/jgs.15151National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Dry mouth: questions and answers.Adolfsson A, Lenér F, Marklund B, et al.Prevalence of dry mouth in adult patients in primary health care.Acta Odontologica Scandinavica. 2022;80(8):605-610. doi:10.1080/00016357.2022.2069282Şanlı A et al.Relationship between smoking and otorhinolaryngological symptoms.Kulak Burun Bogaz Ihtis Derg. 2016;26(1):28-33. doi:10.5606/kbbihtisas.2016.87059Lu J, Li J, Ren Y, Stevenson D, Bartlett M.An open label, self-controlled study to evaluate a “fresh clear” formulation on throat symptoms in a smoking population.Curr Dev Nutr. 2020;4(Suppl 2):431. doi:10.1093/cdn/nzaa045_064Mortazavi H, Baharvand M, Movahhedian A, et al.Xerostomia due to systemic disease: a review of 20 conditions and mechanisms.Ann Med Health Sci Res. 2014;4(4):503-510. doi:10.4103/2141-9248.139284Gholami N, Sabzvari BH, Razzaghi A, Salah S.Effect of stress, anxiety and depression on unstimulated salivary flow rate and xerostomia.J Dent Res Dent Clin Dent Prospects. 2017;11(4):247–252. doi:10.15171/joddd.2017.043Northwestern Medicine.Symptoms of sleep apnea.Murta JAN, Barbosa MS, Caldeira AP, et al.Factors associated with voice complaints in community health agents.Codas. 2021 Apr 12;33(1):e20200017. doi:10.1590/2317-1782/20202020017National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Dry mouth.UCSF Health.Dry mouth.

MedlinePlus.Sore throat.

MedlinePlus.Dry mouth.

National Health Service.Dry mouth.

Renner B, Ahne G, Grosan E, Kettenmann B, Kobal G, et al.Tonic stimulation of the pharyngeal mucosa causes pain and a reversible increase of inflammatory mediators.Inflamm Res. 2013 Dec;62(12):1045-51. doi:10.1007/s00011-013-0663-7

Mark AM.Is your mouth always dry?J Am Dent Assoc. 2020;151(12):972. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2020.08.015

Zhang C, Shen Y, Liping F, Ma J, Wang GF.The role of dry mouth in screening sleep apnea.Postgrad Med J. 2021 May;97(1147):294-298. doi:10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-137619

Amaro AC et al.The use of nasal dilator strips as a placebo for trials evaluating continuous positive airway pressure.Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2012;67(5):469-74. doi:10.6061/clinics/2012(05)11

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Dry mouth remedies: 14 to try.

American Academy of Pediatrics.Extreme heat: Tips to keep kids safe when temperatures soar.

Jones ER, Cedeño Laurent JG, Young AS, et al.Indoor humidity levels and associations with reported symptoms in office buildings.Indoor Air. 2022;32(1):e12961. doi:10.1111/ina.12961

Dempsey JA, Veasey SC, Morgan BJ, O’Donnell CP.Pathophysiology of sleep apnea.Physiol Rev. 2010;90(1):47–112. doi:10.1152/physrev.00043.2008

MedlinePlus.Allergic rhinitis.

Poachanukoon O, Kitcharoensakkul M.Snoring and sleep problems in children with and without allergic rhinitis: a case control study.J Med Assoc Thai. 2015 Mar;98 Suppl 2:S138-44

Kapourani A, Kontogiannopoulos KN, Manioudaki AE, et al.A review on xerostomia and its various management strategies: the role of advanced polymeric materials in the treatment approaches.Polymers. 2022;14(5):850. doi:10.3390/polym14050850

Tan ECK, Lexomboon D, Sandborgh-Englund G, et al.Medications that cause dry mouth as an adverse effect in older people: a systematic review and metaanalysis.J Am Geriatr Soc. 2018;66(1):76-84. doi:10.1111/jgs.15151

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Dry mouth: questions and answers.

Adolfsson A, Lenér F, Marklund B, et al.Prevalence of dry mouth in adult patients in primary health care.Acta Odontologica Scandinavica. 2022;80(8):605-610. doi:10.1080/00016357.2022.2069282

Şanlı A et al.Relationship between smoking and otorhinolaryngological symptoms.Kulak Burun Bogaz Ihtis Derg. 2016;26(1):28-33. doi:10.5606/kbbihtisas.2016.87059

Lu J, Li J, Ren Y, Stevenson D, Bartlett M.An open label, self-controlled study to evaluate a “fresh clear” formulation on throat symptoms in a smoking population.Curr Dev Nutr. 2020;4(Suppl 2):431. doi:10.1093/cdn/nzaa045_064

Mortazavi H, Baharvand M, Movahhedian A, et al.Xerostomia due to systemic disease: a review of 20 conditions and mechanisms.Ann Med Health Sci Res. 2014;4(4):503-510. doi:10.4103/2141-9248.139284

Gholami N, Sabzvari BH, Razzaghi A, Salah S.Effect of stress, anxiety and depression on unstimulated salivary flow rate and xerostomia.J Dent Res Dent Clin Dent Prospects. 2017;11(4):247–252. doi:10.15171/joddd.2017.043

Northwestern Medicine.Symptoms of sleep apnea.

Murta JAN, Barbosa MS, Caldeira AP, et al.Factors associated with voice complaints in community health agents.Codas. 2021 Apr 12;33(1):e20200017. doi:10.1590/2317-1782/20202020017

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Dry mouth.

UCSF Health.Dry mouth.

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