If you have itchy lungs, you might be experiencing a lung condition. Itching sensations in the lungs are common and usually harmless, but it is important to determine what is causing them so that you can get proper treatment.
Depending on the cause of your itchy lungs, there are several things that can be done to help relieve the feeling. For example, if itching is caused by allergies, switching sleeping positions and keeping the bedroom free of dust and allergens can help. Allergies to pollen, dust mites, animal dander, and cockroaches can all cause itchy lungs. Medications for asthma, bronchitis, and GERD (acid reflux disease) may also be helpful.
If the itchy feeling is caused by a medical condition like fluid on the lungs, you may need to have this drained. This can be done in most hospitals. Fluid can also build up in the tummy area (abdomen). This is called ascites and it can be due to some heart problems or cancer. This is usually difficult to treat and needs to be treated by your doctor.
If you are suffering from a lung disease, your doctor will probably prescribe some medication to help relieve the symptoms. These can include bronchodilators to open the airways, steroid inhalers, and leukotriene modifiers to manage asthma and allergies. Some patients might also require mucus clearance devices to help drain excess mucus from the lungs. Quitting smoking is also important as this aggravates almost all respiratory conditions and can make itchy lungs worse.