chronic dry/scratchy throat

[mjf]

I have had a dry/scratchy throat for about 3 weeks now. sometimes it feels just on the edge of being mildly sore but never becomes a sore throat.I notice too that for 2 years now my throat will get sore in reaction to certain foods. my nose is also either runny (clear) or dry. my doctor described zyrtec and flonase and I find I feel fine for the first few hours after I wake up and then it starts again. sometimes just the throat sometimes the nose and the throat. I never had a dry scratchy throat last so long before, I read somewhere that a tumor in the throat can cause a mild sore throat. so now I'm thinking maybe it's not allergies how can I be sure?

[National Jewish]

Throat irritation is a fairly common symptom of allergy and/or post nasal drainage.  These are, by far, more common than tumors for the cause of these symptoms.  However, if you have these fears, it is easy to evaluate.  Your physician can look into your throat and determine if anything of a more serious nature is the problem.  If your symptoms do not go away soon on your current treatment you may want to see an allergist for more testing.

[SirRoy]

A related discussion, Dry throat was started.