Your Step-by-Step Guide To Getting Relief From a Sore Throat
If it hurts to swallow and you can't shake that sore throat, doctors share their advice for how to get relief.
We all know the feeling—it hurts to swallow, there’s a scratchiness or itchiness that you just can't seem to shake. To say sore throats are an annoyance would be an understatement. Sometimes, they're just flat-out painful.
When it comes to treating a sore throat, there’s a lot of mixed advice ranging from natural home remedies to over-the-counter medication. But what’s the top tip? Here, doctors share their insights.
What Causes a Sore Throat?
There are a handful of causes for a sore throat. The bottom line is that anything that causes inflammation (or irritation) to your throat and the surrounding structures can cause you to have a sore throat, Peter Bidey, DO, MSEd, vice-chair, Department of Family Medicine, and pediatrician at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, explains.
More specifically, sore throats can come from infections. These can include bacterial infections like strep throat, viral infections like the flu or COVID, or even the common cold. In some cases, sore throats can be fungal-related—but this is more rare.
However, sore throats can also occur from non-infectious causes like post nasal drip, allergies or environmental/occupational overuse injuries, Dr. Bidey adds.
“Your doctor can easily perform tests to check for these causes, and many of us have had the experience of taking an antibiotic for ‘strep throat,’" says Dr. William J. Kornrich, MD. “Allergies and post nasal drip, as well as acid reflux or GERD, can also be associated with a sore throat.”
Pay attention to symptoms such as a fever or difficulty swallowing that your healthcare provider will be happy to help you evaluate. In some cases, lab work, imaging and a trip to an ENT specialist may be warranted to check for other more concerning causes, Dr. Kornrich explains.
Related: 7 Reasons Why Your Throat May Be Sore—and How To Get Relief Fast
The Best Tip To Get Relief From a Sore Throat
Finding the cause of your sore throat is the first and most important step, because then you can figure out how to treat it. If there's no underlying infection, over-the-counter pain relievers like NSAIDs or Tylenol are your best line of defense. If you're dealing with strep throat, however, you'll need antibiotics.
“There are many tips and tricks for helping with a sore throat, but I think the most useful is to try and find the cause of your sore throat. If you are feeling ill, contact your healthcare provider, and they might perform some additional testing,” Dr. Bidey says.
Influenza, COVID-19 or strep throat all cause sore throat, but each one is treated differently. It is important to understand the cause so that we can use the right intervention to help as well as protect those around you.
Most sore throats go away in a week, however, if they persist or are associated with a fever, chills, a rash or difficulty swallowing, you want to contact your primary care provider as soon as possible, Dr. Bidey explains.
Additional Sore Throat Relief Tips
Make sure your throat stays hydrated
Throat lozenges, honey, tea and lots of liquids can help keep your throat moist and hopefully decrease the pain, Dr. Bidey states. Make sure the liquids are either cool or warm, but try to avoid very hot liquids because they can increase your pain.
Try to decrease inflammation and pain
Over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and NSAIDS like Ibuprofen can help decrease inflammation and pain. Throat sprays also can lessen the pain in the short term as well, Dr. Bidey explains.
Don’t forget about your nose
Chronic sore throats can often come from post-nasal drip and allergies. Mucus from your nose can be very irritating to your throat.
Over-the-counter decongestants, nasal sprays and even a cool mist humidifier can help with some of these symptoms, Dr. Bidey states.
If you suffer from high blood pressure, be sure to clear any decongestants with your primary care practitioner because many can increase your blood pressure.
You can’t go wrong with saline
Whether it is saline nasal spray or gargling with salt water, saline does not harm the body topically. This is a great option for smaller children and pregnant women who often cannot take some over-the-counter medications, Dr. Bidey explains.
Gargle with warm salt water
“I learned some of my favorite sore throat remedies from my ‘old school’ grandmother Rose. Gargling with warm salt water is an oldie but a goodie,” says Dr. Kornrich.
Next up: Should You Work Out When You're Sick? Here's When It's OK and When It Isn't
Sources
Peter Bidey, DO, MSEd, vice-chair, Department of Family Medicine, and pediatrician at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM)
