A Pharmacist Can Help With Sore Throats
You can ask a pharmacist about ways of relieving the pain and discomfort of a sore throat, such as:
- medicated lozenges containing a local anaesthetic, antiseptic, or anti-inflammatory medicine
- anaesthetic spray
You can buy these treatments from a supermarket or from a pharmacist without a prescription.
Itchy Throat Remedies And Treatments
The goal of treating an itchy throat is to reduce discomfort, irritation, and painful feelings in the affected area until the condition heals. Remedies for itchy and sore throats focus on decreasing inflammation and irritation of the throat, as well as secondary symptoms like coughing.
Cough Drops, Lozenges, and Hard Candy
Many people use cough drops to help relieve throat itchiness or soreness. However, cough drops containing menthol may make your throat itchier in the long run. One study found that regularly consuming too many mentholated cough drops can make coughing more frequent.
Consider taking sweet hard candies to lengthen the time between cough drop or lozenge doses. This will allow you to benefit from oral menthol use without going overboard. Sweet candies can also help ease and itchy throat because it increases saliva production, which hydrates the affected area. A study also shows that a sweet taste can help suppress coughing.
While hot tea with honey is often used as a cough suppressant and a way to relieve a sore throat, plain honey can be effective, as well. Two teaspoons of honey may be as effective as certain types of cough medicines at relieving throat irritation and coughing. However, honey can occasionally lead to botulism â a type of illness caused by food poisoning â in children under the age of one year, so never give it to babies.
Humidifiers
Ice Chips, Popsicles, and Cold Drinks
Symptoms Of A Sore Throat
A sore throat means that your throat hurts and is irritated, swollen, or scratchy. It usually hurts worse when you swallow. Depending on the cause of your sore throat, symptoms include:
- Fever
- White spots on your throat or tonsils
- Red, swollen tonsils
- Swollen glands in your neck
- Skin rash
In some cases, additional symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Joint or muscle pain
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Possible Explanations For An Itchy Throat
If you dont have any other COVID symptoms or have been isolating for the recommended two weeks, there are a variety of other reasons for an itchy throat that might be applicable:
In many cases, determining the cause of your itchy throat will be heavily influenced by any other accompanying symptoms. An itchy throat by itself may just be a temporary allergic reaction, but, when paired with hives or swelling, it may indicate what kind of allergen is the culprit. If paired with a runny nose or sneezing, then it may be more likely an infection.
Home Remedies For A Dry Throat
A dry throat can be really irritating!
It can disturb your sleep at night and even make it difficult to work during the daytime.
A dry, scratchy throat is a common problem that is usually caused by an inflammation of the pharynx, a tube that extends from the back of the nose and mouth to the esophagus that leads to the stomach.
Several factors can lead to this discomfort and pain in the throat.
In most cases, it occurs during the cold winter months when the air is dry and upper respiratory infections are spreading like wildfire. It can also be a symptom of other conditions like mononucleosis, tonsillitis, strep throat, acid reflux or GERD, flu, cold, and hay fever or allergies.
Sometimes, a dry throat is a sign of something minor, such as sleeping with your mouth open, excessive talking, smoking, dehydration or exposure to pollutants in the air.
Some of the symptoms of a dry throat include a dry or parched throat that is particularly bad in the morning, difficulty swallowing, a scratchy throat and swollen glands on the sides of the neck.
At times, these symptoms may also be accompanied with a strep infection, which also can cause a headache, body aches, fever and general fatigue.
It is imperative that you identify the reason for the dry throat before looking for a solution. In the meantime, there are many effective home remedies that you can use to ease symptoms and get rid of this irritating problem.
Here are the top 10 home remedies for a dry throat.
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When To See A Doctor
Not every itchy or sore throat will go away on its own. On occasion, your itchy throat may be the first sign of something more serious, such as strep throat.
Look in your mouth with a mirror and a bright light if you have a persistent itchy throat. Should you see white patches or a throat that looks red and swollen, you may have strep throat. Because strep throat is a serious bacterial infection, it will get worse without antibiotics. Talk to your doctor immediately so they can test you for strep throat and give you a prescription for antibiotics, if necessary.
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Heres How To Treat Covid
For adults with cold-like symptoms of COVID-19, Nori recommends recuperating at home by taking any over-the-counter decongestant, cough suppressant, or fever reducer as long as your healthcare provider gives you the okay .
You want to be sure that any drug, even an over-the-counter one, wont interact with other medications you take or raise blood pressure or blood sugars .
Adults at high risk of becoming very sick from COVID-19 should talk to a doctor about antiviral therapies such as the oral medication nirmatrelvir and ritonavir . Children may be eligible if they are 12 or over and weigh at least 88 pounds.
Finally, anyone who is sick from COVID-19 even if it just feels like a case of the sniffles should be sure to isolate at home and mask up! Masking remains a tried and true measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
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Try These Sore Throat Remedies
Do you feel discomfort in your throat? Try these remedies and say goodbye to that uncomfortable irritation. Remember that medicinal plants may have contraindications and interactions with medications. Consult a specialist before taking them, and dont use them instead of medical treatment .
Of course, dont forget to consult the doctor if the symptom persists for more than a week or is very recurrent. Also, if it presents with acute pain, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, blood in the phlegm, or a fever.
Also keep in mind that to recover from any ailment, its important to rest, hydrate well and maintain a healthy diet.
Living With A Sore Throat
Easing the pain of a sore throat is all you can do beyond treatment. The best remedies include:
- Take over-the-counter pain medicine. This includes brand names such as Tylenol, Motrin, and Aleve. Do not give children younger than 18 aspirin. Aspirin may cause Reyes syndrome. This can be fatal.
- Gargle with warm salt water. Mix 1 teaspoon of salt with 1 cup of water and stir.
- Suck on an over-the-counter throat lozenge. Hard candy works too.
- Eat a popsicle.
- Use a humidifier in your bedroom. Move it to other rooms you spend time in.
- Drink liquids to keep your throat from getting dry. Also, this helps prevent dehydration.
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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:
How Can I Treat Or Prevent An Itchy Throat
Treating an itchy throat is primarily dependent on the cause, of course, but there are some remedies that can bring relief regardless of the underlying condition. If you have a cold or the flu, there is no cure, but you can mitigate the discomfort of a scratchy throat with a time-honored remedy like honey. Either eaten directly by the spoonful or mixed into hot tea, the honey acts as a gentle coating in your throat that can make it feel better almost immediately. The following are some other treatment and prevention ideas that are known to be soothing and helpful at keeping your throat itch-free:
- taking antihistamines
- using cough drops or throat lozenges
- sipping hot tea
- using over-the-counter nasal sprays
- avoiding cigarette smoke
- avoiding alcohol and caffeine
- drinking water or other fluids regularly
Some causes of throat itchiness are somewhat unavoidable, like the seasonal allergies that can be a nuisance for certain people. In terms of diseases or infections that can lead to a variety of symptoms, the best prevention method is the same advice that is relevant to the cold, flu, and COVID-19: wash your hands regularly, remain socially distanced from people outside your household, and wear a mask when you have to be out in public.
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Home Remedies For Itchy Throat:
Itchy throat can be quite uncomfortable for those experiencing the condition. A few home remedies can help bring quick relief while you address the actual issue. Here are a few home remedies to tackle an itchy throat.
- Stay hydrated. Drinking lots of water will help your throat get the necessary hydration and calm down the itchiness.
- Some people can get relief from sipping warm water slowly, especially when the itchiness is due to infections.
- Sucking on ice cubes can help calm down the raging irritation and bring in some relief. Alternatively, popsicles can help, especially when you have GERD.
- Itchy throat accompanied by acidity can be relieved by drinking cold milk.
- Add turmeric to warm milk, mix well, let it cool, and drink it. This is also an effective remedy for a scratchy throat.
- When itching is accompanied by a sore throat, you can sip some hot tea with some honey, lemon, and ginger added to it. You can opt for any tea like green tea or herbal tea.
- Drinks such as ginger ale can help reduce throat inflammation and reduce irritation.
- You can also have honey on its own to relieve an itchy and sore throat.
- Install a humidifier if you are prone to allergies and during allergy seasons.
- Chewing lozenges can sometimes help relieve the itchiness.
- Doctors recommend gargling warm water with some salt added to it to reduce throat irritation.
How Can I Get Rid Of The Urge To Clear My Throat
If throat clearing is a side effect of a medication, stopping the medication will lead to eventual improvement. Treatment for allergies or an underlying medical condition contributing to throat clearing will also help. Sometimes throat clearing becomes a habit, in which case taking a sip of water as a replacement can help get rid of the urge. For many causes of throat clearing, avoiding environmental irritants such as cigarette smoke will lead to improvement.
How To Get Rid Of A Scratchy Throat
A scratchy throat could be frustrating but may not be enough reason to see doctor if you are sure of the cause. Sometimes, even antibiotics may not even be necessary. However, if the itchy throat continues, it is advisable to see a doctor immediately. You can get rid of scratchy throat and this is not as complex as it looks.
Picture 3: Some of the home remedies you can use at home to get rid of scratchy throat
The following can help you get rid of it:
Keep Your Voice And Throat At Rest
Your throat does not need to be stressed, therefore, it is advisable to rest at some point. One way to achieve this is by sleeping and this is because you may not need to eat or even speak when you are sleep hence affording you the much needed opportunity to rest your throat. If your scratchy throat is as a result of stress on your throat, then note that taking some few days of bed rest without shouting and minimal talking will sure fix things or prevent it from worsening.
Remedies To Soothe Your Sore Throat Pain
A sore throat is often the first sign that you are coming down with a cold or the flu.
A sore throat is an inflammation at the back of throat and surrounding area, known as the pharynx. That inflammation leads to common sore throat symptoms like scratchiness, pain, swelling, and discomfort.
Acting fast when you notice that first telltale tingle or twinge of pain might help keep your sore throat symptoms to a minimum. If your sore throat has quickly taken on a life of its own, donât worry. There are plenty of over-the-counter medicines for sore throat â some of them already in your kitchen cupboard or medicine cabinet â ready to help ease the pain and scratchiness.
Keep reading for 10 remedies for sore throat ready to ease your pain.
From its warm, amber color to its thick, syrupy consistency, and mild, sweet taste honey is natureâs sore throat remedy. Honey boasts a range of anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties.1
As a precaution, children under 1 year of age should not consume honey due to susceptibility to a toxin it may contain.2
Itâs something most of us grew up with and might be the first thing you think of when a sore throat catches hold. Gargling with warm salt water reduces inflammation, promotes healing, and inhibits the growth of bacteria in the mouth. Salt water also helps thin mucus and is a one of the best home remedies for cough and sore throat. Gargle twice a day for sore throat relief.3
Sleeping With The Mouth Open
If a person falls asleep with their mouth open, they may wake up with a dry throat. This also happens if a person starts breathing through their mouth when they are asleep.
When the mouth is left open, air dries the saliva a person produces to keep their mouth moist. As a result, their throat and mouth may feel dry when they wake up.
Someone can also snore and end up with bad breath if they keep their mouth open when sleeping.
Consider Oregon Grape Root
As soon as Feinberg feels a sore throat and gets a cough, she grabs an Oregon grape root tincture. “This botanical contains berberine, a phytochemical with anti-inflammatory properties,” she explains. You can squirt it in your mouth straight , or mix it in seltzer water, since the fizziness can also feel nice on a scratchy throat. HerbPharm is one brand that Feinberg recommends for buying high-quality, safely sourced herbal extracts.
Quick And Natural Remedies
In order for you to quickly sooth a dry and scratchy throat, it is better for you to drink even just a cup of tea chamomile and green tea are two of the best choices. A cup of hot tea can help you resolve your scratchy throat issues. If you have a cough, just add a little amount of honey to efficiently soothe your dry throat.
You may also gargle salt water to help relieve a dry throat especially when it is caused by bacteria. Just boil three cups of water and then add four tablespoon of salt. By gargling with salt water, it can effectively reduce your throat infection. Repeat this three times per day for great results. This is one of the most effective and useful home remedies for scratchy throat for both adults and children.
Pepper and honey are also some of the best home remedies to relieve scratchy throat. In a bowl, you need to take a tablespoon of honey and then sprinkle a little amount of black pepper on it. When taking this mixture, you will see the difference in your condition. Just follow this home remedy each day before retiring to bed until you get better.
Symptoms Of Scratchy Throat
Note that a scratchy throat may not just be a symptom of an approaching cold, it might come from allergies, irritation and other sources. However, as soon as the source of your scratchy throat is identified, then the treatment can be done and this is can be more effective.
The symptoms of a scratchy throat include an itchy feeling or burning sensation at the back of your throat, tenderness along the neck and this would likely happen especially after eating or swallowing and in some cases, drinking as well.
Other possible symptoms that can manifest for scratchy throat problem includes:
- Stomach Pain
- Hoarseness
- Dry cough and sneezing
However, it is important to mention that the symptoms will vary from person to person and will also depend on the possibility of other health concern present in the sufferer. Whatever the case, the most important thing is to consult your doctor as soon as you feel these unusual manifestations of these symptoms.