Sucrets makes some really strong cough drops that actually numb your throat you can get them at any drug store. They have a couple different strengths. The really strong ones numb my tongue also. Other then that when I have that horrible itchy throat I walk around with salt water. Just a 8 ounce glass with 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon in it and I'll gargle with it many times or even just swallow it if you don't have blood pressure problems then too much salt could be bad. Just a small mouthful of the salt water will really get rid of the itching. But the Sucrets cough drops extra strength do wonders.