There are ways and medicines for sore throat that do not need to be purchased and are available right inside our homes. Home remedies for sore throat are often safer and cheaper, so it is good to know about them.
What is sore throat and what are its symptoms?
A sore throat refers to pain, itching, and irritation in our throat. Its main symptom is a sore throat that gets worse every time we swallow food or drink.
According to the CDC, a sore throat can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection that usually lasts five to seven days. It is often said to be caused by a virus if the sore throat is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Hoarseness
- Conjunctivitis or sore eyes
Meanwhile, a sore throat can be said to be caused by a bacterial infection if it shows the following symptoms. The bacteria that most often causes sore throat is group A strep. That’s why it’s called strep throat instead of sore throat.
- Sudden onset of a sore throat.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Fever.
- Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus.
- Small red spots on the forehead.
- Enlargement of the front part of the neck.
Aside from viral sore throat and strep throat, a sore throat can also be caused by allergies or smoking. To relieve symptoms, there are many home remedies for a sore throat that you can try, such as warm water with salt or honey.
Sore throat and other COVID-19 symptoms
Woman photo created by user18526052 – www.freepik.com
Currently, a sore throat is also one of the first symptoms of COVID-19. If you have a sore throat and experience the following symptoms, it is a good idea to inform your doctor immediately.
- Headache.
- Body tremors.
- Loss of taste or smell.
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Fever.
- Difficulty breathing.
When should you see a doctor?
Meanwhile, unlike common sore throat or those caused by a virus, strep throat requires more attention from a doctor, especially if a child experiences it.
Therefore, when your child shows symptoms of strep throat or his sore throat is accompanied by the following symptoms, it is a good idea to take him to the doctor immediately for a checkup.
- Difficulty swallowing
- Blood in his saliva or phlegm.
- Excessive salivation.
- Dehydration.
- Swelling and pain in the joints.
- Rashes on the body.
If your child shows any other symptoms besides those mentioned, it is still a good idea to take him to the doctor to be sure.
Sore throat medicine: Home remedy for sore throat
Meanwhile, to relieve the pain and suffering caused by a sore throat, there are ways and remedies for sore throat that can be found and done right at home. Home remedies for sore throat are usually easy to do and effective. But remember, if the sore throat still does not heal or improve after doing the following, it is best to go to the doctor. Especially if the symptoms you are feeling or showing are those of strep throat.
Sore throat medications that may help relieve the pain or discomfort caused by it are as follows.
1. Rest the body and drink plenty of water.
Water photo created by pressfoto – www.freepik.com
Getting enough sleep or rest is one way to help our body fight off any infection like a sore throat. If possible, we should also rest our throat by reducing our speaking.
According to the UK’s NHS or National Health Service, drinking water frequently or keeping the person experiencing this hydrated can also help.
However, you should also avoid drinking hot beverages. While sucking on ice cubes, ice lollies, or hard sweets can help relieve swelling or inflammation in the throat.
2. Taking over-the-counter medications.
You can also relieve the discomfort caused by a sore throat by taking over-the-counter medications. Examples of these are paracetamol and ibuprofen, which are also safe for children.
There are also sore-throat lozenges like Difflam and anesthetic sprays that can help relieve throat swelling.
However, sore-throat lozenges should not be given to children under four years of age. This is because they can choke or choke on them.
3. Gargling with warm salt water.
Gargling with warm salt water can also reduce swelling in the throat, making it one of the home care remedies to relieve a sore throat . However, it is not recommended for children.
To do this, dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and gargle your mouth and throat.
This is a good remedy for sore throat and a way to keep the throat clean. For best results, do this every three hours until the sore throat symptoms disappear.
4. Do not take antibiotics without a doctor’s recommendation.
Most sore throats are caused by a virus and cannot be treated with antibiotics. To be sure, it is best to see a doctor first to find out what caused your sore throat, and to be recommended capsules or tablets for sore throat.
Because if it is caused by a bacterial infection, appropriate medication must be taken to fight the bacteria that is causing it.
Viral sore throats are often accompanied by a runny nose, cough, red or watery eyes, and sneezing. Meanwhile, sore throats caused by bacterial infections have almost similar symptoms but are sometimes accompanied by a fever.
5. Avoid irritants or make your throat even more sore.
Smoking is one of the irritants that can cause a sore throat in a person. When a person is exposed to irritants such as cigarette smoke, they will cough more and more, causing their throat to become more swollen.
Apart from this, smoking also weakens a person’s immune system, making the body more susceptible to viral or bacterial infections.
Other causes of sore throat include pollution or irritants in the air, allergies, dry air, and changes in temperature such as entering a cold room from a hot place.
To eliminate dry air, you can use a cool-air humidifier or sit in a steamy bathroom for a few minutes.
6. Strengthen your body and immune system.
Food photo created by timolina – www.freepik.com
To help your body fight off infections like sore throats, you should eat a balanced diet or nutritious foods. Taking supplements like Vitamin D can also help boost immunity.
7. Taking alternative medicines or herbal remedies.
There are alternative medicines or herbal remedies for sore throat. One of them is honey, which is a natural antibiotic. It can be used by mixing it into a tea.
However, it should be noted that honey should not be given to children under one year of age.
Sucking on garlic can also help treat a sore throat due to its antibacterial properties. You just need to brush your teeth after doing this.
How to avoid sore throat?
To avoid sore throat, you should stay healthy and clean at all times. Other ways you can do this are as follows.
- Make it a habit to wash your hands.
- Avoid close contacts or people with sore throats, colds, or other upper respiratory infections.
- Do not smoke and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke.
There are only two treatment options for a sore throat that doctors may recommend. If a sore throat does not require medical attention or is not that severe, it still prevents a person from focusing on what they are doing.
Fortunately, there are many medicines for sore throats and home care remedies that can be used to relieve the pain and discomfort.
Some additional home remedies that can be followed when experiencing a sore throat are the following:
Chamomile tea is a natural pain reliever. It has long been used for medicinal purposes.
It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and astringent properties that can help with sore throats. It can also stimulate the immune system to fight any infections that cause sore throats.
-
Baking soda gargle or gargling with baking soda.
Not only can salt and warm water be used to gargle if you have a sore throat, baking soda gargle also helps kill bacteria and prevent the growth of yeast and fungi.
Mix warm water, ¼ teaspoon of baking soda and 1/8 teaspoon of salt and then use it to gargle.
Many studies have shown the antimicrobial effects of apple cider vinegar in fighting infections. It can also be used to thin mucus in the throat and prevent the spread of bacteria.
If you think you’re going to have a sore throat, try mixing 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a cup of water and gargling with it.
You can also sip a small amount of this mixture and repeat this process one to two times every hour. Make sure to drink plenty of water between drinking and gargling.
The consumption of apple cider vinegar still depends on the severity of the condition and the pain you are experiencing. It is still best to consult your doctor to avoid serious complications.
-
Cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
Cayenne pepper is often used as a pain reliever. Because it contains a natural compound, called capsaicin, it is known to block pain.
Swallowing and mixing warm water with cayenne pepper can also help to relieve swelling caused by a sore throat.
Just remember that when consuming it, a burning sensation is natural. You should not drink it if you have open wounds in your mouth.
Only a few drops of hot sauce and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper are needed to keep it from feeling too hot.
These home remedies for sore throat are easy to make and do not require a lot of money to consume. These natural remedies for sore throat are affordable.
Apart from the aforementioned over-the-counter medicines such as throat sprays and decongestants are also considered pain relievers for sore throats.
There are also nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that can help relieve a sore throat. Such as Advil/Motrin (Ibuprofen), Aleve (Naproxen), Bayer (Aspirin). However, aspirin is not safe and should not be used in infants and teenagers.
Some additional tablets and capsules for sore throat:
- Tylenol (Acetaminophen)
- Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine)
- Afrin (Oxymetazoline)
- Penicillin V
- Cepacol (Dyclonine)
It is advisable to consult a doctor before consuming these medications for sore throat to determine the dosage of the medication based on the patient’s medical condition.
These medications also require a prescription in some cases. The doctor will also consider your age, weight, and other factors related to your sore throat.
Sore throat remedies for babies and children
Children and infants are treated differently when they experience a sore throat, due to the sensitivity of their bodies. Here are some tips and remedies:
- Place a cool mist or humidifier in your child’s room.
- Keep children hydrated by encouraging them to drink as much as possible.
- Avoid juices or popsicles with a lot of citrus.
- Children under 5 years of age should not be given hard candy cough drops or anything that could pose a choking hazard.
- Be careful when giving cough drops to children under 10 years old.
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Philippines
