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What Causes Sticky Foamy Saliva That Settles At The Throat?

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Posted on Mon, 2 Mar 2015
Question: I have sticky foamy saliva which settles in throat. Have to keep clearing throat till I spit up white jelly.
What is cause and how can I cure it ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (30 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
likely due to post nasal drip

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

The white jelly substance is likely mucus and the symptoms are likely due to post nasal drip.

This is the dripping of mucus to the back of the throat. It is associated with the clearing of the throat that you described but can also be associated with other symptoms such as persistent dry coughing, intermittent sore throat.

Some persons may also have sneezing, nasal congestion as well.

The most common cause is allergies. This could be to dust, pollen, animal dander, food or drink , medications etc

If you can determine the source (which allergen) then you can eliminate or reduce your exposure to it and reduce the symptom. This can be done by monitoring your symptoms ( in response to food/drink/dust/pollen) or by allergy testing (blood or skin tests).

If this testing is not an option, you can consider monitoring to eliminate the cause and treatment.

Treatment normally consists topical nasal sprays. Oral antihistamines may also be needed.
Eg of topical nasal sprays are nasonex, flonase, avamys, nasocort, rhinocort.

It can take 1 to 3 weeks for the sprays to have an effect.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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What Causes Sticky Foamy Saliva That Settles At The Throat?

Brief Answer: likely due to post nasal drip Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic The white jelly substance is likely mucus and the symptoms are likely due to post nasal drip. This is the dripping of mucus to the back of the throat. It is associated with the clearing of the throat that you described but can also be associated with other symptoms such as persistent dry coughing, intermittent sore throat. Some persons may also have sneezing, nasal congestion as well. The most common cause is allergies. This could be to dust, pollen, animal dander, food or drink , medications etc If you can determine the source (which allergen) then you can eliminate or reduce your exposure to it and reduce the symptom. This can be done by monitoring your symptoms ( in response to food/drink/dust/pollen) or by allergy testing (blood or skin tests). If this testing is not an option, you can consider monitoring to eliminate the cause and treatment. Treatment normally consists topical nasal sprays. Oral antihistamines may also be needed. Eg of topical nasal sprays are nasonex, flonase, avamys, nasocort, rhinocort. It can take 1 to 3 weeks for the sprays to have an effect. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions