—Keeproll—Getty ImagesIt’s hard to concentrate on a conversation when you’re busy trying to discreetly clear whatever’s stuck in your throat. If you have persistent postnasal drip, you know how quickly that sensation returns—and how little relief another allergy pill or round of gargling might bring.For people who speak for a living, it can be especially frustrating. “It could be very disruptive when you’re on the phone, when you’re in meetings,” says Dr. Matt Hershcovitch, an ENT and sinus specialist in Burbank, Calif. “You can’t speak for more than 30 seconds without having to cough and clear your throat.”You don’t have to resign yourself to a lifetime of apologizing for your cough. We asked experts what could be behind that lingering feeling of mucus in your throat, why your go-to remedies might not help, and how to get relief.What’s driving the drip?Environmental allergies and chronic rhinosinusitis—ongoing inflammation in the nose and sinuses—are among the most common causes, says Dr. Florence Hsu, a Yale Medicine allergist and immunologist. Inflammation can increase mucus production, sending drainage down the back of your throat.And having sailed through childhood without allergies doesn’t rule them out now. “Your allergies and sensitivity do change throughout your life,” Hershcovitch says.Your nose can also react to things you aren’t allergic to. Smoke, strong smells, spicy food, and changing weather can trigger what’s called nonallergic rhinitis, Hershcovitch says. Your nasal lining becomes overly reactive, producing extra mucus.Another possibility is reflux, which can cause a sensation of mucus in the throat even without the heartburn people tend to associate with it, Hsu says.And sometimes, the feeling that something is stuck doesn’t mean there’s a stubborn blob you need to dislodge. Irritation from drainage or reflux can leave your throat feeling inflamed, Hershcovitch says, creating what doctors call a “globus sensation”: the feeling of a lump or something lingering there even when nothing is physically blocking it.Why antihistamines aren’t always the answerAn allergy pill can help with some symptoms, but it won’t address every possible reason your throat feels coated in gunk.Antihistamines target the effects of histamine, a chemical involved in allergic reactions, Hsu explains. Even when allergies are involved, other parts of the inflammatory response may require a different treatment, such as a steroid nasal spray.Sometimes, antihistamines can even make things worse. “Antihistamines can also be drying, leading to thicker mucus that is more difficult to clear,” she says.What you can try at homeSaline nasal rinses—using a squeeze bottle or neti pot—can help wash out mucus and allergens, Hsu says. If you’re preparing the rinse yourself, use distilled, sterile, or previously boiled and cooled water, not water straight from the tap, and follow the device’s cleaning instructions.For allergy-related symptoms, a steroid nasal spray such as Flonase or Nasacort is another option, Hsu says. But check the label: “Not all nasal sprays are the same,” Hershcovitch says. Steroid sprays are different from decongestants such as Afrin, which he advises using for no more than two or three days. Longer use can cause rebound congestion, leaving you stuffier.It’s also worth looking for triggers at home and work, including dust mites and pet dander, Hsu says. To help reduce airborne allergens, Hershcovitch suggests using an air purifier and keeping its filters clean.When to stop playing drugstore rouletteIf this has been going on for years—or keeps persisting despite over-the-counter treatment—make an appointment with an allergist or ENT. Hsu says allergy testing can help identify triggers; an ENT may use a thin camera to examine your nasal passages after applying numbing spray.What happens next depends on what your doctors find. You might need a different medication, treatment for reflux, or, in some cases, a procedure to address a structural problem or blocked sinuses, Hershcovitch says.Some symptoms are a reason to get checked promptly instead of continuing to try home remedies. These include bloody or one-sided drainage or facial pain, Hershcovitch says. Hsu also flags loss of smell or taste, complete nasal blockage, or new wheezing or breathing trouble.If you’re wondering why this suddenly became your problem, Hershcovitch offers some reassurance: “This is a very manageable one,” he says. “It’s not something you did or didn’t do.”