What to do if you have a sore throat
You’ve probably had a sore throat at some point in your life. Even if you don’t have a serious illness, the itching, scratching, and burning associated with a cold or the flu aren’t fun to deal with. Having a sore throat can be excruciating.
However, in most cases, you don’t need to see a doctor right away to get some relief. When a sore throat develops, try these 10 remedies:
- Gargle with salt water.
Warm salt water gargles can provide relief for scratchy throats. Using salt helps to remove the mucus from your swollen, inflamed tissue, which reduces the pain.
Mix 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of table salt with 4 to 8 ounces of warm water, according to the Mayo Clinic’s recommendations. Stirring is required to ensure that the salt is completely dissolved. Then spit it out after a few seconds of gargling with it. Gargle with salt water several times a day as a treatment.
- Take a sip of a lozenge
In some OTC throat lozenges, menthol, an ingredient that numbs the tissue in your throat, can be found. The burning and pain sensations can be alleviated for a short time with this method. Using candy as a substitute is acceptable in a pinch.
To keep your throat lubricated, chewing gum and cough drops work to increase saliva production. In contrast, candy and cough drops will not relieve your sore throat for as long as medicated lozenges, and you may find yourself in need of relief again soon.
Young children should not be given lozenges or cough drops. It’s possible to choke on either one.
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- Attempt over-the-counter pain relievers
A virus is the most common cause of sore throats, according to the CDCTrusted Source. Antibiotics, which are designed to kill bacteria, are unable to treat viral infections. Instead, the virus has to take its course in your body before it can be eliminated.
Anti-inflammatory NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) and naproxen (Aleve) can be taken over-the-counter to alleviate symptoms of throat inflammation. They can also be used to alleviate discomfort, such as itchiness or soreness.
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- Take a sip of honey and savor it.
With honey, you can soothe an irritated throat with a cup of hot tea. In addition to soothing a sore throat, drinking tea helps you stay properly hydrated. When your throat begins to itch, brew a cup of tea and sip it.
As an antibacterial, pain reliever, and rich source of antioxidants as well as a means of reducing inflammation, green tea is an excellent choice.
When you’re sick, honey has a second benefit to offer. As a cough suppressant, it works as well as over-the-counter medications.
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- Try a spray of echinacea and sage.
Echinacea and sage can be added to a spray bottle for a few spritzes. In comparison to over-the-counter throat sprays, a study published in the European Journal of Medical ResearchTrusted Source shows that this herbal remedy is more effective at relieving a sore throat.
If so, please share your remedy. Tell us what you think in the comments section below.
- Staying hydrated is essential.
The best way to treat a sore throat is to drink plenty of water. Dehydration affects your ability to produce enough saliva and mucus to lubricate your throat. Swelling and inflammation will increase as a result of this treatment.
Warm teas or soups, as well as water, are all suitable options. However, drinking hot tea or soup can irritate an already-irritated throat.
Drinking too much caffeine or alcohol will dehydrate you further.
- Using a humidifier is a good idea.
Taking a deep breath of moist air can help relieve swollen nasal and throat tissue. Increase the amount of moisture in your room by using a cool mist humidifier Humidifiers can be purchased at most stores.
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- Treat yourself to a steam bath.
In the absence of a humidifier in your home, moist air can provide relief. The steam from a warm shower can help reduce swelling and alleviate the pain of a sore throat.
Steam can also be generated by running hot water through a kitchen sink. A towel should be draped over your head and you should lean into the sink to inhale steam. Deep breathing can help ease a sore throat if you keep doing it for a few minutes.
Your house’s humidity could be increased by boiling some water on the stovetop for 30 minutes. Use Vick’s VapoRub or other decongestants to flavor the boiling water with the aroma of menthol.
- Lift your chin up.
When a sore throat is accompanied by congestion, rest your head on a couple of extra pillows. Allows you to inhale and exhale more comfortably. Sore throats can be made worse by sleeping with your mouth open, but that won’t be necessary if your congestion is relieved.
- Obtain a prescription if necessary.
There are many viruses that cause sore throats, but streptococcus, which causes strep throat, is one of the most common culprits. A strep test is recommended if your sore throat does not go away or worsens, or if you are experiencing fever. My advice is to get an antibiotic.
If your doctor gives you an antibiotic, take it all the way through. You should continue taking the medication even if you feel better and your symptoms go away. A re-infection could occur if the antibiotic is stopped, and these bacteria may no longer be able to respond to the antibiotic.
Remedy to A sore throat In children
In childhood, sore throats are a common problem. Viruses are frequently to blame, and the symptoms usually subside within four to five days. Make an appointment with the pediatrician if your child has a fever of 101°F (38.3°C). Having a fever could indicate that you have strep throat. It is necessary to use an antibiotic to treat strep because bacteria are the cause.
Children’s Tylenol and ibuprofen (Children’s Advil and Children’s Motrin) can be used to ease the pain of a sore throat in your child. If your child is under the age of six months, you should check with your pediatrician first. Aspirin (Bufferin) should not be given to children under the age of 18 due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition.
If your child’s throat is hurting, here are a few other options:
Do not give your child salty water, but if they do, give them 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon and 8 ounces of water to gargle with. Gargling without swallowing is usually possible for children over the age of six.
Chicken broth or tea can be served to your child as a warm beverage. Children over the age of one can enjoy a cup of tea with a little honey added to it to help ease their throats.
Allow your child to suck on an ice pop, or something cold like that, to keep them cool.
The use of sore throat sprays on minors is discouraged. Some children may be allergic to the anesthetic benzocaine (Anbesol) found in these products.
When is it appropriate to seek medical attention?
You don’t have to suffer through a sore throat. Plenty of OTC and home remedies are available to alleviate the pain and discomfort you are experiencing.
If the pain doesn’t go away, you should see your physician. In addition, if you want to:
swallowing causes excruciating pain.
develop a fever of more than 100 degrees
Vomiting or nausea may occur.
When looking for a doctor, use the Healthline FindCare tool to locate one in your area.
Prevention
The germs that cause sore throats can be prevented by washing your hands frequently with soap and warm water. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if you don’t have a sink nearby. When you come into contact with doorknobs, keyboards, or people who are coughing or sneezing, wash your hands.
As a general rule, stay away from people who are sick. Towels, glasses and silverware should not be shared between guests. To keep up your body’s resistance, you must eat well, sleep well, and exercise.
