Sore throats are common, but that doesn’t mean they’re healthy. Not only is a sore throat unpleasant, but it can also indicate an illness or medical condition. Regardless of the reason for your sore throat, it interferes with your life, making swallowing, talking, and eating uncomfortable. Are there any sore throat treatments that can alleviate this problem quickly? We’ve got a few easy ways to help you get rid of a sore throat.
- Start with hydration. It could be that your scratchy throat means you need to drink something. Even if swallowing is painful, cold liquids can feel soothing and reduce inflammation. Popsicles are a fun option if you’re tired of drinking ice water. Using a humidifier can also help because moist air can be good for your sinuses.
- Saltwater gargle can help a sore throat. Dissolve salt in warm water, to reduce swelling, inflammation, and irritation. Gargling it will feel soothing, and it will help draw irritants and infections to the surface so your body can better fight whatever is causing your sore throat.
- Honey is naturally antibacterial. This allows it to soothe wounds, suppress coughs, and tame a sore throat. Mixing honey with tea or warm water can provide quick relief. In fact, tea with honey is a sort of one-two punch.
- Tea is a tried and true remedy. For centuries, people have used herbal teas to sooth sore throats. It works because of the warmth of the liquid as well as the medicinal properties of the herbs. It doesn’t even have to be a certain type of tea! Drink what you like, whether it’s chamomile, turmeric, green, peppermint, or raspberry tea.
- As strange as it sounds, hot sauce or cayenne pepper can be an effective sore throat treatment. They’re high in capsaicin, which has anti-inflammatory properties. Gargling just a few drops of hot sauce or a half teaspoon of cayenned pepper mixed into a warm glass of water should do the trick.
- Baking soda is another gargle that may help. This is believed to prevent the growth of yeast and fungi, as well as killing bacteria. One teaspoon in a glass of warm water will work.
- Try an over–the-counter pain reliever. Ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen can help, and so can lozenges and cough drops.
- Avoid acidic foods. Things like soda, fried foods, and citrus fruits can aggravate a sore throat.
- Don’t speak. Giving your vocal cords a rest can help your sore throat to go away more quickly.
When should you see a doctor for your sore throat? If the pain is severe or prolonged or you have difficulty swallowing or breathing, it’s best to see your primary care physician or head to an urgent care clinic. If you have white patches on your throat, blood in your saliva or phlegm, or your sore throat is accompanied by joint pain, earaches, or a fever, get to urgent care.
Whenever you’re feeling under the weather, Total Point Urgent Care is here for you. The goal of Total Point Urgent Care is to be a convenient healthcare resource for our community. Providing immediate medical care at a fraction of the cost of an emergency room, our neighborhood clinics offer warm, efficient, personalized care. At our locations in Texas, our on-site technology and services include urgent care, primary care, specialty care, routine checkups, flu shots and other vaccinations, COVID-19 testing, and onsite lab and x rays. We take urgent care walk-ins and soon, we’ll even offer virtual visits so that our patients can choose telecare instead of risking a trip to the clinic. For convenient medical care, visit one of our locations or contact us through our website.