An itchy throat can happen with COVID-19, as well as with other respiratory infections. But this symptom is typically more common with allergies. So, what’s the best way to know whether your itchy throat is from COVID-19, a cold, flu, or allergies?
COVID-19 can cause a wide range of symptoms that can vary greatly between individuals. Some symptoms are more common than others.
While an itchy throat may happen due to COVID-19, it’s not a very common symptom. You’re generally more likely to have other types of throat symptoms, such as a sore throat or scratchy throat.
If you have an itchy throat, you may feel a tingle in your throat or like you need to cough or clear your throat. Often, an itchy throat is a sign of allergies or that you’ve inhaled something irritating, such as air pollution or chemical fumes.
The effects of a respiratory infection, such as COVID-19 or the common cold, can also irritate your throat. As such, you may have an itchy throat when you’re sick.
An itchy throat
Indeed, a sore throat is the most commonly described throat-related symptom in COVID-19. A sore throat has also become more common as new COVID-19 variants have emerged.
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As with other respiratory infections like the common cold, COVID-19 sore throat often comes on early. It can last for about 5 days before resolving.
What are the potential symptoms of COVID-19?
According to the
- fever, with or without chills
- fatigue
- cough
- sore throat
- muscle aches
- headache
- runny or stuffy nose
- loss of smell or taste
- shortness of breath
- digestive symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
The CDC also notes that these aren’t all of the potential symptoms of COVID-19. It’s possible that common COVID-19 symptoms may change or new symptoms may emerge as the virus continues to evolve.
Allergies, particularly hay fever, often have pretty distinct symptoms. For example, some of the most common hay fever symptoms include:
- sneezing
- runny or stuffy nose
- itchy, watery eyes
- itchy nose or itchy throat
People with allergies may also sometimes have:
If your symptoms are due to allergies, you won’t have COVID-19 symptoms like muscle pain or loss of smell or taste.
Timing is also important. For example, if your symptoms are happening following a known exposure to pollen, mold, or pet dander, your symptoms may be due to allergies.
The common cold shares a few symptoms with COVID-19, including:
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
However, people with a cold are less likely to have the following symptoms that are associated with COVID-19:
- fever
- fatigue
- muscle aches
- headache
- loss of smell or taste
- shortness of breath
- digestive symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
COVID-19 and the flu can be very hard to tell apart because there is a lot of overlap in the symptoms of these two conditions. For example, both infections can cause:
- fever, with or without chills
- fatigue
- cough
- sore throat
- muscle aches
- headache
- runny or stuffy nose
- shortness of breath
- digestive symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea
The
When in doubt, test!
COVID-19 symptom types and severity can vary greatly from one person to the next. That means it’s possible to feel as if you have a cold or allergies when you actually have COVID-19.
If you’re not certain whether COVID-19 is the cause of your symptoms, take a COVID-19 test.
Whether it’s due to COVID-19 or not, you can try several things at home to help ease an itchy throat. These include:
- gargling with warm salt water
- sipping on warm liquids, such as teas, soups, or broths
- adding moisture to the air using a humidifier
- drinking water or tea with a spoonful of honey mixed in
- trying out teas containing peppermint, chamomile, or marshmallow root
- using throat lozenges or throat sprays, which are available over the counter (OTC)
If your itchy throat is due to allergies, you can take OTC antihistamines to help ease your symptoms. Avoiding allergy triggers can also help keep your symptoms from getting worse.
An itchy throat can happen with COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. However, this symptom is typically more commonly associated with allergies.
COVID-19 is more often associated with a sore throat, which typically comes on early and goes away after a few days. Throat symptoms due to COVID-19 and other causes can be eased using OTC medications and home remedies.
Allergies, colds, the flu, and COVID-19 all have some overlap in their symptoms. If you’re ever in doubt about whether your symptoms are caused by COVID-19, take a COVID-19 test.