Cobblestone throat is the presence of pebble-like bumps in the throat. While not usually a cause for alarm, cobblestone throat can be annoying or uncomfortable. Depending on the cause of your cobblestone throat, you may experience symptoms including a dry cough, hoarseness, bad breath, fever, stuffiness, pain when you talk or swallow and a feeling that there’s something stuck in your throat.
Cobblestone throat occurs when germs, viruses, allergens or other irritants enter your respiratory passages. When these irritants enter your respiratory passages, your immune system overproduces mucus to trap germs. As the mucus drips down and irritates your throat, cobblestones arise.
Your ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist will conduct a physical examination and identify an underlying cause to diagnose your cobblestone throat. Your treatment will vary depending on the cause of your cobblestone throat. Common causes include but are not limited to:
- Cold and flu
- Allergies
- Acid reflux
Let’s take a closer look at these causes and how you can treat them to get rid of cobblestone throat.
Cold and Flu
A cold is an infection of the nose, sinuses, throat and windpipe. Adults will likely catch two to three colds yearly, whereas children may catch four or more. Colds are caused by a number of different viruses that can induce cobblestone throat.
The flu is an infection of the nose, throat and lungs. Also caused by viruses, the flu may result in symptoms including headache, dry cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, cobblestone throat and more.
Most colds will resolve within 10 days, and most cases of flu will resolve within seven days. If cobblestone throat is bothering you, drinking plenty of fluids, getting plenty of rest and taking medication to reduce fever and inflammation can help calm your symptoms.
Allergies
When exposed to allergens (substances you are allergic to), your throat may produce more mucus, resulting in cobblestone throat. Some ways to reduce your allergy symptoms include allergy avoidance and immunotherapy.
Once you have identified your allergens through a skin prick or scratch test, you can implement an allergy avoidance plan. For instance, if you’re allergic to pollen, avoid Compton Park on high pollen count days.
Allergy immunotherapy works by introducing small doses of an allergen into the body to decrease your sensitivity.
Controlling your allergens can help reduce the frequency or severity of your cobblestone throat.
Acid Reflux
If cobblestone throat doesn’t go away, acid reflux may be the cause. Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the esophagus. Acid flowing into the esophagus can irritate the lining in your throat and occasionally lead to cobblestone throat.
You may be able to treat mild acid reflux with antacids and home remedies such as eating slowly, avoiding foods that trigger reflux, avoiding tight-fitting clothing and more. Chronic acid reflux options may include prescription medications and surgery.
For more information on treating your cobblestone throat or its underlying symptoms, contact Red River ENT Associates today.
