Two minor health issues

Hey there...

I’ve got two minor health issues going on—and honestly, they might be linked...

First off, I've been dealing with this full-body itch for a while now.
I try my best not to scratch, but I usually end up giving in—which just irritates the skin, makes it turn red, and then, predictably, makes the itching even worse.

Then there's the throat issue...
For months now, it feels like something is constantly stuck in my throat. I find myself having to cough constantly just to "clear" it. Between the constant throat scraping from coughing and the fact that the sound itself is driving both me and everyone else crazy, it's becoming a real nuisance. 😢

I should mention that I am a smoker, so maybe that's playing a part.
When I went to see an ENT specialist, they didn't find anything physically wrong with my throat. Instead, they suggested it might be stomach-related—acid reflux, maybe? They prescribed some acid reducers, thinking stomach acid was creeping up and causing that "stuck" sensation.
Anyway, I took them for two months, and they did absolutely nothing for the throat issue.

I've heard there are certain liquids or solutions you can gargle to help clear the throat. Does anyone know which ones actually work?

And is it possible these two things are connected? Could we be looking at an allergy or something similar?

Regarding that itching sensation, I mean, it’s entirely possible you might be reacting to something specific—maybe it's the fabric of your clothes, something you ate, dust, pollen, or even just the soap you use in the shower.
It might be worth seeing a doctor to get some allergy testing done. I'd also suggest trying to track what you're doing right before it starts up. Personally, I can't use a lot of those common drugstore body washes without running into issues myself.

My kid’s been coughing too, though he won't say a damn word about feeling sick. He smokes, though—I'm positive that's what's doing it. Just a dry, scratchy throat that keeps triggering these cough fits. Maybe try those Bronchitol lozenges? They might take the edge off. And as for the skin thing... his used to get all itchy right after a shower or when he gets dressed. But then again, he was heading out to meet his girlfriend, so who knows, maybe it was just nerves🤷. I think I read somewhere once that skin itching can actually be caused by bile salts... does anyone even know what that actually means?🤷

Regarding the itching—it’s likely some kind of allergy, perhaps from your clothes or maybe even a new laundry detergent you've started using.
As for that cough, I suppose you could just toss the cigarettes and see what happens. My sister's husband was a lifelong smoker, and he used to make this sound—I can't quite put it into words, really—it was almost as if there were this massive lump stuck in his throat that wouldn't budge, and he’d struggle, gasping, trying to force it out. He breathed so loudly, too. Being such a stubborn, headstrong advocate for smoking, he refused to admit it was the cause, until one day he simply couldn't catch his breath... and well, he hasn't touched a cigarette since.
Anyway, if the coughing persists, at least you'll know it isn't coming from the smoking.

It’s looking like an allergy—could be something in the food, maybe something in the air, or even...

Itching can actually be a symptom of liver dysfunction. It could also stem from allergies or fungal skin infections. Honestly, you should probably just go see a doctor.
As for stomach acid, you really need to identify which specific foods are triggering it; taking antacids might soothe the symptoms, but they aren't going to fix the underlying issue.