Does gargling salt water help with a sore throat?

Sore throats are often very uncomfortable, affecting your well-being and day-to-day life. They might be caused by viruses, such as colds or the flu, or bacterial infections, like strep throat. In many cases, they’ll clear up on their own without medical intervention.

Some home remedies may help ease your symptoms while you wait for the infection to clear up. Gargling with salt water may help soothe a sore throat by reducing inflammation and providing moisture to the area. It could be a convenient and cost-effective way to reduce pain at home.

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Benefits of a saltwater gargle

Gargling with salt water is a common home remedy for sore throats, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) even recommends it as a method to feel better. But you may be wondering how they work.

One of the properties of salt water is that it may help reduce inflammation. For example, some 2020 research suggested that a saltwater mouth rinse had anti-inflammatory effects and could promote healing in the mouth after oral surgery. So, this may also be true for inflammation in your throat.

Another benefit of saltwater gargles is that salt water may actually fight viruses. Viruses are the cause of many respiratory infections, such as colds, flu, and COVID-19, all of which may involve sore throats. In fact, up to 80% of sore throats may be viral in origin.

However, salt water may be beneficial even if your sore throat is bacterial in nature, such as in strep throat. Some studies suggest that salt water can also fight against bacteria in your mouth and make it a difficult place for bacteria to grow, which could help treat sore throats.

Finally, some evidence suggests saltwater gargles may even prevent upper respiratory infections (URIs) that cause sore throats. They may also reduce the duration of your illness, which can help you to feel better quicker.

How to do a saltwater gargle

You may be able to buy some saltwater formulations over the counter (OTC), but you can also make your own at home using any kind of salt you have to hand.

To make a saltwater solution for gargling, mix 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoons of salt for every 8 ounces of water. Warm water helps the salt to dissolve better, and gargling with warm water may be more comfortable for your sore throat. However, you can gargle with cool or cold water if you prefer.

If you don’t like the taste, you can add other ingredients like honey, lemon, or ginger to the water. Honey may have the added benefit of also soothing your sore throat if you have a URI.

Gargle the water at the back of your throat, taking care not to swallow any. Swallowing a small amount is unlikely to be harmful, but swallowing a lot over time may lead to dehydration and stomach issues. Instead, rinse it around your mouth after gargling, then spit it into a sink.

Other treatments for a sore throat

Treatment for sore throats can differ, depending on the cause. The majority are likely to be viral, and mild cases generally go away on their own with time. Alongside a saltwater gargle, it’s important to stay hydrated and get plenty of rest.

You can also use OTC pain relievers to ease your symptoms. These include ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and naproxen (Aleve).

In severe cases of flu, or if you’re at risk of serious complications of flu, doctors might prescribe antiviral drugs. These include:

• oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu)
• zanamivir (Relenza)
• peramivir (Rapivab)
• baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza)

However, a sore throat alone is unlikely to be severe enough to need antiviral treatments.

If your sore throat is bacterial in origin, such as if you have strep throat, doctors will likely prescribe antibiotics. They may shorten the duration of your symptoms by up to 24 hours, helping you feel better quicker. Common antibiotics for strep throat include:

• penicillin V (Apocillin)
• amoxicillin (Amoxil)
• cephalexin
• clindamycin (Cleocin)

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Summary

Sore throats can be very uncomfortable, no matter the cause. They might be due to bacterial or viral infections. In many cases, they will get better without medical intervention, but doctors often recommend home remedies like saltwater gargles to help ease your symptoms.

Saltwater gargles can help reduce inflammation and soothe pain, and they may also be able to fight against viruses and bacteria in your throat causing the inflammation. You can make them at home by adding small amounts of salt to a glass of water, taking care not to swallow the solution.

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