A dry throat can be caused by dehydration, dry air, excessive talking, allergies, or exposure to irritants like smoke or pollution. It may also occur after sleeping with your mouth open or spending long hours in air-conditioned environments.

In some cases, a dry throat can be a sign of viral or bacterial infections, such as a cold, the flu, tonsillitis, or strep throat. These conditions often cause additional symptoms like fever, body aches, runny nose, or difficulty swallowing.

Treatment for a dry throat depends on the cause and may include drinking more water, using a humidifier, resting the voice, or avoiding irritants. If the dry throat persists or comes with other symptoms, it’s important to see a healthcare provider for proper evaluation and care.

male healthcare provider using tongue depressor to check older woman's throat

Why is my throat so dry?

The most common causes of a dry throat are:

1. Dehydration

A dry throat can emerge due to dehydration from inadequate fluid intake. A dehydrated body will not produce sufficient amounts of saliva, leading to a dry or irritated throat.

How to treat: You should ideally drink at least 2 L of water per day by taking small sips throughout the day. This will keep the throat hydrated and prevent a dry throat sensation.

People with difficulty meeting their water goals can flavor their water to make it more appealing. Check out a list of infused water recipes that you can prepare at home.

2. Dry air or air conditioning

Very dry air reduces moisture in the throat and can make it feel dry and irritated. This dryness may also lead to a dry cough, post-nasal drip, and hoarseness.

Air conditioning can make indoor air drier, leading to a dry and irritated throat.

How to treat: Ideally, you should avoid air conditioned spades and exposure to dry environments. You can also relieve symptoms by drinking more water and using a humidifier in dry rooms.

3. Sleeping with your mouth open

Sleeping with your mouth open increases the likelihood for snoring, which can lead to an irritated dry throat in the morning. Breathing through your mouth can dry up the saliva that would normally keep your throat moist.

Some conditions that can lead to open-mouth breathing or snoring include sleeping on your back, adenoids, sleep apnea, or a deviated septum.

Nasal congestion from allergies, colds, the flu, or sinusitis can also lead to open-mouth breathing and a dry throat.

How to treat: If you are unsure of what is causing your open-mouth breathing, you should see an ENT specialist for further assessment. Sleep apnea, for example, can be corrected by using a CPAP machine or, in more severe cases, surgery.

4. Excessive use of your voice

Speaking or using your voice excessively, such as when teaching or singing, can cause your throat to feel dry or scratchy. This happens because overuse may irritate, swell, or even injure the vocal cords, often resulting in hoarseness.

How to treat: Generally, symptoms improve within a few days of vocal rest, when the speaking, shouting, singing, or whispering are put fully on pause. If the dry throat does not improve or if hoarseness worsens, you should see an ENT specialist to rule out the possibility of a vocal cord injury.

See a list of teas for a sore throat that you can make to help speed up recovery.

5. Colds and flu

A cold or the flu can cause a dry, scratchy, irritated, or swollen throat. These symptoms are usually caused by a viral infection, like influenza or rhinovirus, which can enter through the nose and travel to the throat.

In addition to a dry throat, a viral infection can also cause symptoms like coughing, fever, sneezing, stuffy nose, runny nose, headaches, and body aches. Learn more about the difference between a cold and the flu.

How to treat: You should keep the body hydrated by drinking plenty of water, in addition to prioritizing rest. A healthcare provider may also recommend analgesics (acetaminophen), anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen), or decongestant medications (such as loratadine) to help relieve symptoms.

Learn about home remedies for the cold and flu that can help promote a speedy recovery.

6. Tonsillitis

A dry throat can also be a sign of tonsillitis, or an infections of the tonsils. The tonsils can become infected with viruses (like rhinovirus or influenza) or bacteria (like Streptococcus pyogenes).

In addition to a dry throat, people may experience a scratchy throat, severe sore throat, difficulty swallowing, high-grade fever, and pus in the throat.

How to treat: Tonsillitis treatment should be guided by a healthcare provider, who may prescribe analgesics and anti-inflammatories (e.g. acetaminophen or ibuprofen) to relieve symptoms.

Antibiotics, like amoxicillin, azithromycin, clindamycin, or cephalosporins, may be prescribed to cure a bacterial infection. You can also try preparing these sore throat home remedies to compliment your medical treatment.

7. Strep throat

A dry throat can be a symptom of streptococcal pharyngitis, commonly known as strep throat, which is a bacterial infection in the back of the throat caused by Streptococcus pyogenes.

Typical symptoms of strep throat include a sore or dry throat, pain and difficulty swallowing, scratchiness or itchiness, and sometimes green or yellow phlegm. Some patients may also experience fever, headaches, general malaise, and hoarseness.

How to treat: Treatment for strep throat involves antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria, most commonly penicillin or amoxicillin for 10 days. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may also be recommended for symptom relief to ease pain or fever. Getting plenty of rest and staying hydrated are important parts of recovery.

8. GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is characterized by the backflow of stomach content up to the mouth. It causes pain, a bitter taste in the mouth, itchy throat, dry throat, or irritated throat.

Learn more about what causes GERD and the symptoms associated with it.

How to treat: Treatment should be managed by a gastroenterologist, and may involve antacids, stomach protectors, and medications that promote gastric emptying. Patients are also advised to adhere to a GERD diet to manage symptoms and prevent flare-ups of symptoms.

Check out a list of the GERD medications your doctor may consider to help manage symptoms.

9. Exposure to irritating substances

Exposure to irritating symptoms, like cigarette smoke or air pollution, can irritate the throat and cause chronic inflammation. This can lead to the sensation of a dry throat, even after drinking water, and can interfere with normal saliva production.

Other symptoms associated with irritating substances include a scratchy throat, itchiness, post-nasal drip, and sore throat.

How to treat: The best way to prevent symptoms is to avoid exposure to substances that trigger a dry throat. If avoidance is not possible, you can take soothing lozenges made with honey, lemon, or ginger. Salt-water gargles may also help to relieve discomfort.

If you are a smoker, you should see your primary care provider to discuss smoking cessation strategies.

10. Excessive alcohol consumption

A dry throat can also occur with excessive alcohol consumption. Alcohol can directly irritate the throat upon drinking it and can also cause increased stomach acid production that can backup into the throat.

How to treat: You should avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol regularly. If you find it difficult to cut back on drinking, talk to your primary care provider for support and advice.

11. Allergies

An allergic reaction to particles or irritants in the air can make your throat feel dry, itchy, and irritated. This inflammation may also cause a runny nose, watery eyes, and sneezing.

An allergic reaction can be triggered by dust, pollen, and animal fur and promotes the release of histamine in the body, which causes symptoms.

How to treat: Treatment for allergies should be prescribed by a primary care provider or allergist, who may recommend anti-histamines to relieve symptoms.

12. Xerostomia

Xerostomia, which is the medical term for a dry mouth, is characterized by the decrease or abnormally low production of saliva. It can dry out the oral mucosa, leading to a dry throat and difficulty eating, swallowing, or speaking.

This dry throat can lead to other symptoms, such as thick saliva, bad breath, dry tongue, or mouth ulcers. Xerostomia is typically associated with smoking, stress, anxiety or other health conditions, like anemia, lupus, and multiple sclerosis.

Learn about other causes of dry mouth and what you can do to relieve it.

How to treat: It is important to drink plenty of water throughout the day to hydrate the oral mucosa and reduce discomfort. Smokers are also advised to quit smoking. A doctor may recommend the use of artificial saliva, while other health conditions should be properly managed to reduce dryness.

Can a dry throat be a sign of COVID-19?

A dry throat is not a common symptom of COVID-19. However, COVID-19 may present with other throat symptoms, such as a sore throat, throat redness or irritation, or the sensation of an itchy or scratchy throat.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 include a dry cough, fever, and excessive fatigue. It can also cause body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, runny nose, and a stuffy nose. Severe cases can present with difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.

When to see a doctor

It is important to consult your primary care provider or an ENT specialist if your dry throat presents with symptoms such as:

Sore throat;
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath;
Difficulty swallowing;
Hoarseness;
Excessive fatigue;
Fever;
Dry cough or coughing up blood;
Chest pain.

See a healthcare provider if your dry throat lasts more than a week or gets worse. They can evaluate your symptoms and provide appropriate treatment.

Dry Throat: Common Causes & How to Treat It