How To Reduce Sore Throat

Pharmacy Medication For Sore Throat

Throat medications obtained at the pharmacy can be an important factor of treatment, especially if pain is very intense, takes longer than 3 days to resolve, or is accompanied by fever. In these cases, you should see your doctor for assessment and to decide whether treatment should be started with medication.

Common medications to treat sore throats include:

• Anti-inflammatories , which help to reduce swelling, relieve pain and facilitate swallowing
• Analgesics , which help to reduce pain and more used when inflammation is not as visible
• Antibiotics , which are used to treat bacterial infections

These medications should only be used as prescribed. They should not be replaced by natural remedies, as more natural options usually serve to complement medically-indicated treatment.

Symptoms of a sore throat include:

• Throat discomfort
• High fever, which is more common with bacterial infections
• Swollen lymph nodes on the neck

Sore throats can be caused by a flu virus, cold, tonsillitis, laryngitis or pharyngitis. Other possible causes of a sore throat include throat irritation from inhaling toxic substances, excessive alcohol consumption or acid reflux. An itchy throat that is left untreated can also lead to throat pain â see what can cause an itchy throat and what to do.

Sore throats are usually a result of a bacterial tonsillitis infection, but it can also occur with:

Home Remedies To Get Rid Of A Sore Throat

In the meantime, try some of Dr. Allans tried-and-true ways to alleviate your sore throat.

1. Warm and cold fluids

Sip on warm drinks, like tea or chicken soup. Or try cold liquids, such as ice water or popsicles. It depends on your preference and what soothes your throat best.

Liquids help clear mucous membranes, keep things flowing and prevent sinus infections, says Dr. Allan. Warm temperatures may also reduce coughs by soothing the back of your throat. Try both warm and cold to see what works best for you.

2. Gargling

Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of salt or a similar amount of baking soda in a glass of warm water. Gargle the concoction every three hours for an all-natural sore throat remedy.

Salt water can help reduce swelling and irritation in your throat. Baking soda also soothes the throat, breaks up mucus and can help with throat-irritating acid reflux.

3. Over-the-counter antihistamines and pain relievers

An antihistamine may dull or relieve throat pain. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen and naproxen also help with pain thats located a little deeper in your glands and other parts of your neck.

Histamines are chemicals that help your immune system fight foreign substances. But sometimes, they go overboard, triggering symptoms that can make a sore throat feel worse, explains Dr. Allan. Antihistamines can counteract this overreaction.

4. Steam and humidity

5. Hot toddy

Dr. Allan shares why hot toddies can be very soothing:

6. Rest

Best Cough Drops For A Sore Throat

Cepacol cough drops are small to stash in a pocket and use two oral anesthetics to numb and soothe your throat.

Pros: They melt slowly for a long-lasting numbing effect, affordable

Cons: Pain relief only lasts about two hours, mild interactions with acetaminophen

Many people like a lozenge when they have a cough since the medicine is small enough to fit in your pocket or purse and it can be nice to suck on something soothing over time. If you prefer a cough drop or portability is your goal, Cepacol may make more sense than buying a bottle of Chloraseptic spray.

A 2018 study out of Germany found sucking on cough drops with benzocaine, among other ingredients, for three days significantly helped improve throat pain and made swallowing easier for folks with a sore throat. Meanwhile, an older 2012 study found similar benefits from lozenges with benzocaine alone.

For less than $4, Cepacol drops help to soothe and numb your throat, similar to Chloraseptic. But these cough drops use two oral anesthetics benzocaine and menthol instead of phenol.

There are two formulas: Cepacol Instamax which has the added cool of menthol, and Cepacol Extra Strength. We recommend Extra Strength since not everyone loves menthol. Also, it comes in honey lemon flavor, which means you can also drop the lozenge into hot tea if you want to dilute the medicinal flavor.

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Is Tylenol Or Advil Better For Sore Throat

Either acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help with the pain of a sore throat. But Advil or ibuprofen also helps relieve inflammation, so you may score more sore throat relief by taking that. Just make sure you check that no other sore throat medicine you’re taking interacts with either type of pain reliever, or that no other medication you’re taking contains ibuprofen, which is an easy way to get too much of the pain reliever, points out Dr. McKnight.

Invest In A Humidifier

If youve noticed an increase in the number of sore throats youve had this season, then it may be time to invest in a humidifier. Dry airespecially during the harsh, cold days of wintermay be the cause of your sore throat. A humidifier will keep the air moist and open your sinuses.

Image by Michelle Nash

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Gargling With Salt Water:

The mixture of salt and water is the effective home remedy on how to reduce throat swelling. In order to do this treatment, you need to add 1 teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water. Gargle for a few seconds before spitting it out. Regular gargling will help you reduce swelling and pain in your throat.

How To Treat A Cough Or Sore Throat Cased By Covid

To treat a cough and sore throat caused by COVID-19, focus on:

• If you have a sore throat and have COVID-19, sucking on hard candy or cough drops may help soothe irritation in your throat.
• A sore throat spray that contains phenol may reduce pain and irritation.
• If you have a cough, a humidifier can add moisture to the air, which may ease coughing.
• Some studies suggest that OTC cough products with dextromethorphan may help reduce the severity of a dry cough.
• Dextromethorphan products are not recommended in children under four years of age.

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Home Remedies For Sore Throat To Avoid

Dr. Allan warns that not all sore throat remedies are created equally. He recommends you pass on these two:

• Apple cider vinegar. It probably has some antibacterial properties, but thats not going to do much for the sore throat itself.
• Essential oils. They havent been well-studied or clinically proven for safety or effectiveness.

And avoid things that can irritate your throat, including:

• Acidic foods or spicy foods.
• Lying down immediately after you eat, especially if you have acid reflux.

What Is A Sore Throat

A sore throat means that your throat hurts. It feels irritated or scratchy. You may feel mild discomfort or a burning pain. A sore throat may feel worse when you swallow. Possible complications from a sore throat include ear and sinus infections. Another complication is an abscess near your tonsils.

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The Effectiveness Of Liquid Iv For Sore Throat Relief

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the effectiveness of liquid iv for sore throat relief will vary depending on the individuals symptoms and underlying cause of the sore throat. However, many people find that liquid iv can help to soothe and relieve a sore throat.

For those with a sore throat caused by a viral infection, such as the common cold or flu, liquid iv can help to reduce inflammation and speed up the healing process. The fluids and electrolytes in liquid iv can also help to prevent dehydration, which can make a sore throat even more painful.

For those with a sore throat caused by allergies or environmental irritants, liquid iv can help to flush out the irritants and soothe the throat. The anti-inflammatory properties of liquid iv can also help to reduce the swelling and pain associated with a sore throat.

Overall, liquid iv can be a helpful tool for relieving the pain and discomfort of a sore throat. However, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment for your individual situation.

Using Home Remedies To Relieve A Sore Throat

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The Sore Throat That Lingers

If youre still feeling relatively severe pain when you swallow after three to five days, especially if your symptoms arent improving, Lipman says, its reasonable to call your doctor and ask whether you should come in for an evaluation.

Your doctor should check for signs of other conditions that may also cause a sore throat, such as allergies or gastroesophageal reflux disease. The viruses that cause mononucleosis can also cause throat pain, along with fever, fatigue, and swollen glands.

Certain sexually transmitted infections, including gonorrhea and herpes, may cause a sore throat, too. Some people who are newly infected with HIV may experience flu-like symptoms that can include a sore throat.

Throat pain is rarely an emergency. However, throat swelling can block your airwaysigns include difficulty breathing, drooling or pooling saliva, and harsh, noisy breathingand warrants a trip to the emergency room, according to UpToDate, which provides evidence-based treatment information to healthcare providers.

Does Liquid Iv Help With Sore Throat

The jury is still out on this one. While there are many anecdotal reports of people finding relief from their sore throats after using liquid iv, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims. However, it is possible that the hydration provided by liquid iv may help to ease some of the symptoms associated with a sore throat, such as pain and inflammation. If you are suffering from a sore throat, it may be worth giving liquid iv a try to see if it helps you.

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Natural Remedies For Sore Throats: Potato Wraps

Never heard of this one? A potato wrap is one of the oldest home remedies for throat pain. It keeps the throat warm and is said to promote circulation and relieve pain. Heres what to do:

Keep the potato wrap on for up to one hour. After you have removed it, be sure to rest for at least fifteen more minutes to give this cure for sore throats a boost.

Sore Throats In Children

Sore throats are a common childhood ailment. Theyre often caused by viruses and will get better in four or five days. If your child is running a fever of 101°F or higher, pay a visit to the pediatrician. A fever could be a sign of strep throat. Because strep is caused by bacteria, it needs to be treated with an antibiotic.

You can relieve the pain of your childs sore throat with medicine such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen . Just check with your pediatrician first if your child is less than six months old. Dont give aspirin to kids younger than 18, because of the risk of a rare but serious condition called Reyes syndrome.

Here are a few other ways to relieve your childs throat pain:

• Mix 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 8 ounces of warm water, and have your child gargle with it. Kids over the age of 6 are usually old enough to gargle without swallowing.
• Give your child warm liquids, such as chicken broth or tea. Kids over a year old can have a little honey mixed into the tea to soothe their throat.
• Let your child suck on something cold, such as an ice pop.

Avoid using sore throat sprays on children. These products contain the anesthetic benzocaine , which can cause an allergic reaction in some kids.

You dont have to endure a sore throat. Plenty of OTC treatments and home remedies can help you find relief from the pain and discomfort.

If the pain doesnt improve, see your doctor. Also make an appointment if you:

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Does Soup Help When You Have A Sore Throat

Yes! Its no old wives tale. The 12th century, Egyptian-Jewish physician, Moshe ben Maimonides, prescribed chicken soup as a treatment for respiratory tract issues. To this day, brothy soup is often the go-to food. Its nourishing, restorative, and easy to digest. Furthermore, there is scientific evidence to back up the merits of soup for a sore throat. In this study, those who ingested the warm liquids recovered more efficiently from their sore throats. Furthermore, soups sodium is known to relieve sore throat pain.

Drink A Lot Of Water:

If you are suffers of throat swelling, the effective tip to help is drinking a lot of water. By moisturizing the surface of the throat, you can keep the swelling at bay. However, it is important for the drink not to contain caffeine. However, taking lozenge also moisturizes the throat and reduces the irritation. If the swelling throat is accompanied with cough, any cough syrup can help. Moreover, a mixture of honey, lemon juice and water is the effective home remedy on how to reduce throat swelling and pain.

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How To Treat A Sore Throat Yourself

To help soothe a sore throat and shorten how long it lasts, you can:

• gargle with warm, salty water
• drink plenty of water
• eat cool or soft foods
• avoid smoking or smoky places
• suck ice cubes, ice lollies or hard sweets but do not give young children anything small and hard to suck because of the risk of choking

If you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better.

Soothing A Sore Throat

Weve all had sore throats around this time of year. Your throat feels scratchy and may hurt when you swallow. What can you do to soothe a sore throat? And when is it a sign of a more serious infection?

Most sore throats are caused by viral infections such as the common cold or the flu. These throat problems are generally minor and go away on their own.

To soothe your irritated throat, keep it moist. Ever notice that a sore throat seems worse in the morning? Its because your throat gets so dry overnight, says Dr. Valerie Riddle, an infectious disease expert at NIH. Having lozenges or hard candiesor anything that stimulates saliva productionwill keep your throat moist. Its also important to drink plenty of fluids.

For young children who might choke on hard candies or lozenges, try cold liquids and popsicles. Throat pain might also be soothed by throat sprays and over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen or aspirin, but dont give aspirin to young children.

Contact a doctor if your sore throat is severe, doesnt feel better after a few days, or is accompanied by a high fever or swollen glands. These symptoms could be signs of a bacterial infection, such as strep throat. Taking antibioticsPrescription medications used to treat bacterial infections such as strep throat. wont help at all if your sore throat is caused by viruses, but theyre essential for fighting bacterial infections like strep.

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Add Raw Honey And Lemon To Tea

Honey is one of the best remedies for a sore throat, thanks to its natural antibacterial properties. It acts as a wound healer, immediately offering relief for pain while working to reduce inflammation. Honey can also kill bacteria and help fight off viral infections. Similar to honey, lemons are great for sore throats. They can help break up mucus and provide pain relief. Plus, lemons are packed with vitamin Chelping fight off your infection.