The scratchy is a cellular reaction of nerve cells to invaders. Histamine response from pollens, dead skin cells from bacterial or viral infections.
It signals us to notice something is wrong and can trigger the coughing reflex to eject foreign materials.
Why scratchy? Bc “itch” sensation is one of “touch” senses – much like we can only see certain colors, we can only feel a set number of sensations.
And bc the tissues of the throat touch each other, we can feel any roughness caused by shedding surface cells or dry surfaces in what is usually a very moist environment.
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