Honey. Staying hydrated is an important part of treating a sore throat. Fluids keep the throat moist and prevent dehydration. may cause discomfort and alter your ability to swallow something or even utter a word These products contain the anesthetic benzocaine (Anbesol), which can cause an allergic reaction in some kids. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. It can naturally soothe the throat and ease swelling. Garlic is found to be a good home remedy to reduce scratchy throat effectively. Call a doctor if you: And remember, when it comes to illnesses, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of hot toddies. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. The skinny: A hot toddy is a drink combo made with water, whiskey, honey and lemon juice and served hot. Give your child warm liquids, such as chicken broth or tea. Dealing with a cold or the flu? Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate you. A scratchy throat can appear for different reasons: Viruses or bacteria; Allergies; Respiratory infections; Toxic smoke and air pollution An itchy throat can be scratchy, dry and sore. Common Cold Treatments That Can Actually Make You Sick. And if you do get sick, Dr. Allan advises immediately replacing your toothbrush with a fresh, germ-free one. In most cases, a dry throat may be caused if you’re suffering from cold or a sinus attack. A sore throat may be caused by bacterial infections, viral infections, toxins, irritants, trauma, or injury to the throat area. See six doctor-recommended home remedies for sore throat — along with two sore throat remedies you should avoid. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Link Between Allergies and Sore Throat, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, Sore Throat 101: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment. Home Remedies for Sore Throats. Similarly, sipping water is another “mom” remedy you’re told constantly when you’re under the weather, and with good reason. Honey has another benefit when you’re sick. Plenty of OTC treatments and home remedies can help you find relief from the pain and discomfort. They can also relieve soreness or scratchiness. Gargling With a Salt-Water Solution. Here are 10 ways to feel better when a sore throat sets in: Gargling with warm salt water can help soothe a scratchy throat. Drink fluids. You might consider choosing a green tea, which serves as an antibacterial, pain reliever, and rich source of antioxidants, as well as helps reduce inflammation. Can You Get a Sore Throat From Sleeping With Your Window Open? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, viruses cause most sore throats. You should repeat this remedy twice a day daily. It has antibacterial properties, which can help speed healing. Instead, try elevating the bed or sitting propped up or in a chair to alleviate the pain and discomfort. It has antibacterial and antifungal properties that give relief from any infection that may be causing dryness in the throat. 14 Natural Home Remedies for UTI Pain & Discomfort Warm temperatures may also reduce coughs by soothing the back of the throat. Gargling with warm salt water can help soothe a scratchy throat. Soups are very effective — again because of the warm water and their contents and consistency. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can dry you out even more. Regardless of the cause of your sore throat, these at-home care strategies can help you ease your or your child's symptoms: 1. All you have to do is boil a ginger concoction and add either honey or lemon to taste. Wondering how to get rid of a sore throat naturally? You can also create steam by running very hot water into a sink. If your child is running a fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher, pay a visit to the pediatrician. But sometimes they go overboard, triggering symptoms (such as congestion and post-nasal drip) that can make a sore throat feel worse. You can buy humidifiers at most retailers. Viruses can’t be treated with antibiotics, which only kill bacteria. Other raw honey benefitsinclude its ability to reduce mucus secretion and coughs, which can be associated with a sore throat. itself.”), Essential oils (“They haven’t been Have trouble swallowing, breathing or opening your mouth. Is there anything that can help? Medical treatment options to help relieve throat itchiness depend on its cause. A doctor will prescribe an antibiotic to treat strep throat as it is a bacterial infection. Kids over a year old can have a little honey mixed into the tea to soothe their throat. Keep taking deep breaths for several minutes, and repeat as necessary to ease your sore throat. Purchase Bigelow Tea Company Tea Tray Pack and honey at Amazon.com today ». Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Doctor’s advice: Salt water can help reduce swelling and irritation in your throat. 1. Sore throats are a common symptom caused by infections or environmental factors. Family medicine doctor Daniel Allan, MD, shares the most effective home remedies for a sore throat, along with those that don’t work as advertised. Smoke or other irritants can cause a raw, scratchy throat. We include products we think are useful for our readers. The skinny: An antihistamine may dull or relieve the throat pain. Some of the signs and symptoms of strep throat are itchy throat, throat pain, red and swollen tonsils, fever, headache, fatigue, etc. Research shows that it’s an effective cough suppressant and works as well as OTC cough medication. Gargling with warm salt water moistens your sore or scratchy throat and brings temporary relief. By gargling with salt water, it can effectively reduce your throat infection. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. If the pain doesn’t improve, see your doctor. Dry cough or irritation in the throat may be due to congestion in the tonsils. Symptoms that are common with this problem include a stuffy nose, dry mouth, chest pains, burning nose, itchy ears, pain when swallowing etc. You might try boiling some water in a pot on the stove for 30 minutes to increase humidity in your house. Licorice is another remedy that helps get rid of a dry throat. Candy and cough drops increase your saliva production and help keep your throat lubricated. Finally, you drink this solution. Purchase Advil or Aleve at Amazon.com today ». Lying down immediately after you eat, especially if you have acid reflux. 7 Best and Worst Home Remedies for Your Hemorrhoids, How to Care for a Loved One With Leukemia, Here’s How You Can Get Rid of a Cold Sore (Fast!). Water is a good choice, as are warm teas or warm soups. Wash your hands whenever you touch common surfaces such as doorknobs or keyboards, shake hands, or are exposed to people who are coughing or sneezing. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen and naproxen also help with pain that’s located a little deeper in the glands and other parts of the neck. Doctor’s advice: Histamines are chemicals that help your immune system fight foreign substances. What are the best ways to soothe throat pain? If you have a cold and want to run, a good rule of thumb is to consider the location of your symptoms. A clear chicken or beef broth will also work well. Just check with your pediatrician first if your child is less than six months old. 3. Here’s our process. Have white patches on the back of your throat or a rash, possible signs of strep throat or scarlet fever. Instead, the virus has to run its course in your body. Mix 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 8 ounces of warm water, and have your child gargle with it. Is your throat sore? Cleveland Clinic © 1995-2021. Try these 11 home remedies for your illness. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Antihistamines can counteract this overreaction. 2. Breathing in moist air can help soothe swollen tissue in your nose and throat. You might need an antibiotic. The salt pulls the mucus out of your swollen, inflamed tissue and helps relieve the discomfort. With your congestion relieved, you won’t have to sleep with your mouth open, which can dry out your throat and cause it to hurt even more. The treatment of a scratchy throat largely depends on the causes. One way to prevent exposure to the germs that cause sore throats is to wash your hands with warm water and soap throughout the day. Its anti-inflammatory properties also help reduce irritation in the throat. This also works speedily to give you that instant relief. Rest your voice, too. All Rights Reserved. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Policy. OTC painkillers: Acetaminophen, aspirin and ibuprofen or Aleve can help relieve sore throat, but acetaminophen mainly helps to reduce swelling. Here’s What to Know About COVID-19 Risk, 6 Health Benefits of Drinking Pickle Juice, Not in the First Wave to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine? Then gargle with it for several seconds and spit it out. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Like penicillin or amoxicillin stopping the antibiotic could leave some bacteria behind to re-infect,... Keep your throat with decongestant menthol aromas system scratchy throat remedies foreign substances or warm soups will loosen! A sore-throat remedy hydrated is an important part of treating a sore include! Honey tea INCREASED SAFETY MEASURES + COVID-19 TESTING works as well as OTC cough medication fat in steam. 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