Sore throats can be difficult to ignore because they often feel painful, scratchy, and dry. They can occur when your body’s immune system is fighting off a viral or bacterial infection like the flu or common cold. It may also result from a postnasal drip due to allergies or reflux.
Though these conditions do not pose a serious risk to most people’s health, finding ways to manage symptoms like a sore throat can help you continue to go about your daily routine.
Usually, home remedies are enough to manage a sore throat. But if your symptoms worsen and make it difficult for you to breathe, medical treatment may be necessary.
If your symptoms are severe or last longer than 10 days, it may be a sign of strep throat or another severe infection.
Saltwater gargle
Gargling with warm salt water can help manage symptoms of a sore throat. The warmth will help soothe the irritation in your throat. Salt water can act as an antiseptic, reducing viral and bacterial growth in your throat.
According to the American Osteopathic Association, you should aim to gargle a warm saltwater solution once every hour.
Baking soda gargle
Dissolving baking soda into warm water for gargling can also help with symptoms of a sore throat. While baking soda is not as effective as an antiseptic as saltwater, it can prevent the growth of fungi while cleaning and removing excess mucus from your throat.
According to the National Cancer Institute, combining baking soda with a saltwater rinse every hour may help relieve symptoms.
You can mix 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/8 teaspoon of salt with 1 cup of warm
water to rinse your mouth. It may be helpful to follow this up with a plain water rinse to remove the aftertaste.
Honey
Honey has an extensive history of being useful and effective in the treatment of many different health conditions. It is rich in vitamins and minerals but also has potential anticancer and antiviral properties.
Medical-grade honey undergoes thorough sterilization. It is available as a syrup to add to your tea or to take on its own.
A research review from 2020 found that honey could provide a cheaper alternative to antibiotics. It was also found to be more effective at managing symptoms of a sore throat from an upper respiratory tract infection than traditional medications.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you should not give honey to children under the age of 1 year.
Cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper contains the natural pain-relieving ingredient capsaicin, which blocks the pain receptors in your throat. Capsaicin is also a natural compound with anti-inflammatory properties.
While there is no scientific evidence to prove that capsaicin can help relieve your sore throat, some people claim that mixing cayenne pepper, warm water, and honey can help to soothe the pain.
Chamomile tea
According to a research review from 2023, chamomile contains anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. It is a common natural remedy for minor infections, such as a common cold.
It can also act as a pain reliever. Chamomile has a pleasant aroma and mild flavor. It also contains no caffeine. This means it can help promote a restful night’s sleep, which is essential in speeding up the healing process.
Other treatment options
In some instances, your sore throat may be too severe for simple home remedies to manage it. Medications can help speed up the healing process, such as:
- Antibiotics: Bacterial infection is a common cause of sore throats. If your sore throat persists and worsens, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics. People typically notice their symptoms resolve within 1–3 days with antibiotics. Examples include:
- amoxicillin (Amoxil)
- ampicillin (Agpen)
- clindamycin (Cleocin)
- Antihistamines: Allergies happen when your body mistakes a harmless substance, like pollen, for a threat. This can mean you experience a full immune response. Allergies can cause a sore throat. If this is the case, antihistamine medications can start to work to relieve your sore throat within 30 minutes. An example includes diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
- Lozenges: Sucking on a lozenge can provide relief by keeping your throat moist while helping reduce pain as soon as 5 minutes after you take them. They are available in both medicated and non-medicated forms. An example of a medicated lozenge is amylmetacresol (Strepsils). It’s important to know that lozenges are not safe for small children.
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