Itchy Throat And Ears: Causes, Treatment & More - Healthline

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What Causes Itchy Throat and Ears?

Medically reviewed by Nicole Leigh Aaronson, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, FAAP — Written by Stephanie Watson — Updated on March 28, 2024

Allergic rhinitis
Food allergies
Drug allergies
Common cold
Symptom relief
When to see your doctor

Itchy throat and ears may be caused by allergies or a cold. Home treatment is usually enough, but if you also have other symptoms like a sore throat, or if your symptoms don’t improve, see a doctor.

Man with sore throat — RgStudio/Getty Images

Here are some possible causes, tips for relief, and signals that you should call your doctor.

1. Allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is better known by its other name: hay fever. It starts when your immune system reacts to something in the environment that isn’t normally harmful.

This includes:

pollen
pet dander, such as dander from cats or dogs
mold
dust mites
other irritants, such as smoke or perfume

This reaction leads to the release of histamine and other chemical mediators, which trigger allergy symptoms.

In addition to an itchy throat and itchy ears, allergic rhinitis can cause these symptoms:

runny nose
itchy eyes, mouth, or skin
watery, swollen eyes
sneezing
coughing
stuffed nose
fatigue

2. Food allergies

According to research, an estimated 7.6 percent of children and 10.8 percent of adults in the United States have food allergies.

Like seasonal allergies, food allergies arise when the immune system goes into overdrive when exposed to an allergen, such as peanuts or eggs. Food allergy symptoms range from mild to severe.

Common food allergy symptoms include:

stomach cramps
vomiting
diarrhea
hives
facial swelling

Some allergies are severe enough to cause a life threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

shortness of breath
wheezing
trouble swallowing
dizziness
fainting
tightness in the throat
rapid heartbeat

If you think you’re having an anaphylactic reaction, call your local emergency services or go to the emergency room immediately.

Common allergens

A few foods account for 90 percent of allergic reactions, including:

peanuts and tree nuts, such as walnuts and pecans
fish and shellfish
cow’s milk
eggs
wheat
soy

Some children outgrow allergies to foods such as eggs, soy, and cow’s milk. Other food allergies, such as peanuts and tree nuts, can stick with you for a lifetime.

Some foods like cow’s milk and wheat commonly cause GI symptoms, while nuts and shellfish allergies tend to present as an itchy throat, swelling, and possible anaphylaxis.

Other triggers

Certain fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts contain a protein that’s similar to the allergens in pollen. If you’re allergic to pollen, these foods can cause a reaction called oral allergy syndrome (OAS).

Some of these common trigger foods include:

fruits: apples, bananas, cherries, cucumbers, kiwi, melons, oranges, peaches, pears, plums, tomatoes
vegetables: carrots, celery, zucchini
tree nuts: hazelnuts

In addition to an itchy mouth, symptoms of OAS can include:

a scratchy throat
swelling of the mouth, tongue, and throat
itchy ears

3. Drug allergies

Many drugs can cause side effects, but only about 5 to 10 percent of reactions to medications are true allergies.

Just like other types of allergies, drug allergies occur when your immune system reacts to a substance in the same way it would to germs. In this case, the substance happens to be a medication.

Most allergic reactions happen within a few hours to days after you take the medication.

Symptoms of a drug allergy include:

skin rash
hives
itching
trouble breathing
wheezing
swelling

A severe drug allergy can cause anaphylaxis, with symptoms like:

hives
swelling of your face or throat
wheezing
dizziness
shock

Call your doctor if you have symptoms of a drug allergy. If you do have an allergy, you may need to discontinue use of the medication.

If you think you’re having an anaphylactic reaction, call your local emergency services or go to an emergency room immediately.

4. Common cold

Colds are one of the most common afflictions. Most adults sneeze and cough their way through two or three colds a year.

Many different viruses cause colds. They spread when someone with an infection coughs or sneezes droplets containing the virus into the air.

Colds aren’t serious, but they can be annoying. They’ll usually sideline you for a few days with symptoms like these:

runny nose
cough
sneezing
sore throat
body aches
headache

How to treat your symptoms

If you have mild allergy or cold symptoms, you can treat them yourself with over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, decongestants, nasal sprays, and antihistamines.

Popular antihistamines include:

diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
loratadine (Claritin)
cetirizine (Zyrtec)
fexofenadine (Allegra)

To relieve the itch, try an oral or a cream antihistamine. Oral antihistamines are more common, but the same brands often offer topical formulas.

For lingering or more severe symptoms, call your doctor.

Here’s a rundown of treatments by condition.

If you have allergic rhinitis

An allergist can perform a skin or blood test to find out which substances set off your symptoms.

You can prevent symptoms by staying away from your triggers. Here are several tips:

For people allergic to dust mites, put a dust mite-proof cover on your bed. Wash your sheets and other linens in hot water — above 130°F (54.4°C). Vacuum upholstered furniture, carpets, and curtains.
Stay indoors when pollen counts are high. Keep your windows closed and your air conditioning on.
Don’t smoke and stay far away from anyone who’s smoking.
Don’t allow your pets in your bedroom.
Keep the humidity in your home set at or below 50 percent to discourage mold growth. Clean any mold you do find with a mixture of water and chlorine bleach.

You can manage allergy symptoms with OTC antihistamines, such as loratadine (Claritin), or decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed).

Decongestants are available as pills, eye drops, and nasal sprays, but you should avoid using nasal sprays for more than 3 days at a time to prevent rebound congestion.

Nasal steroids, like fluticasone (Flonase), are also extremely effective and now available over the counter.

If allergy medications aren’t strong enough, see an allergist. They may recommend shots, which gradually stop your body from reacting to an allergen, or sublingual immunotherapy, which come in tablet or liquid form.

If you have food allergies

If you often react to certain foods, see an allergist. Skin prick tests or radioallergosorbent (RAST) blood testing can confirm what’s triggering your allergies.

Once you’ve identified the food in question, you’ll want to avoid it. Check the ingredient list of every food you buy.

If you have a severe allergy to any food, carry around an epinephrine auto-injector, such as an EpiPen, in case of a severe reaction.

If you have drug allergies

Call your doctor if you have symptoms of a drug allergy. Your doctor might suggest that you cease taking the medication.

–Get medical help right away for symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as:

wheezing
shortness of breath
swelling of your face or throat

If you have a cold

No cure for the common cold exists, but you can relieve some of your symptoms with:

OTC pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil)
decongestant pills, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), or decongestant nasal sprays
combination cold medications, such as dextromethorphan (Delsym)

Most colds will clear up on their own within 7 to 10 days. If your symptoms last longer than 2 weeks, or if they get worse, call your doctor.

Treatments for allergy or cold symptoms

These products may help improve certain symptoms, including an itchy throat or itchy ears. Shop for them online:

antihistamines: diphenhydramine (Benadryl), loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec), or fexofenadine (Allegra)
decongestants: pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
nasal steroids: fluticasone (Flonase)
cold medication: dextromethorphan (Delsym)

When to see your doctor

Call your doctor if your symptoms last for more than 10 days or worsen with time. Get medical help immediately for these more serious symptoms:

shortness of breath
wheezing
hives
severe headache or sore throat
swelling of your face
trouble swallowing

Your doctor may perform a blood test or throat swab to find out if you have a bacterial infection that needs to be treated with antibiotics.

If your doctor suspects you have allergies, you may get referred to an allergist for skin and blood tests or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Allergic rhinitis. (2018).https://acaai.org/allergies/types/hay-fever-rhinitis
Anaphylaxis. (2018).https://acaai.org/allergies/anaphylaxis
Common colds: Protect yourself and others. (2019).https://www.cdc.gov/features/rhinoviruses
Drug allergies. (2018).https://acaai.org/allergies/types/drug-allergies
Food allergy. (n.d.).https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/food-allergy
Gupta RS, et al. (2018). The public health impact of parent-reported childhood food allergies in the United States. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-1235
Gupta RS, et al. (2019). Prevalence and severity of food allergies among us adults. DOI:http://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.5630
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2019). Common cold.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/symptoms-causes/syc-20351605
Medications and drug allergic reactions. (n.d.).https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/medications-and-drug-allergic-reactions
Oral allergy syndrome. (2019).https://acaai.org/allergies/types/food-allergies/types-food-allergy/oral-allergy-syndrome
What you need to know about food allergies. (2018).https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/what-you-need-know-about-food-allergies

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Medically reviewed by Nicole Leigh Aaronson, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, FAAP — Written by Stephanie Watson — Updated on March 28, 2024

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1. Allergic rhinitis

2. Food allergies

Common allergens

Other triggers

3. Drug allergies

4. Common cold

How to treat your symptoms

If you have allergic rhinitis

If you have food allergies

If you have drug allergies

If you have a cold

Treatments for allergy or cold symptoms

When to see your doctor

How we reviewed this article:

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