How to Get Rid of A Sore Throat at Home

How to Get Rid of A Sore Throat at Home

It is really hard to continue with your day and your usual routine when you have a sore throat. It gives you throat pain and itchiness in your throat, making it hard for you to swallow everything you consume, may it be water or food.
It may not be a serious condition that needs to be treated by a medical professional right away, but you still have to do something to soothe the pain. 
Most of the causes of sore throat include swollen tonsils. But there's nothing you should worry about because there are a lot of home remedies that can help treat a sore throat! 
 

Sore Throat Home Remedies

1. Honey

Honey is considered the most effective remedy for swollen tonsils, especially if it comes with a cough. In one study, medical researchers found honey as an effective preferable treatment for the cough and sleep difficulty associated with childhood upper respiratory tract infection. 

Honey is a natural wound healer because of its antibacterial properties and since you're fighting against bacteria, this will be very vital for your sore throat remedies. This is one of the most accessible sore throat remedies since most people have stored honey in their kitchens for different use. 

All you need to do is to put one or two tablespoons of honey into your drinking warm water, stir, and consume it. You can also mix it with tea if you have it at home. 

2. Gargle with Salt Water

Swollen tonsils are due to the bacteria buildup in your throat and one way to treat this right is by gargling with warm salt water. Salt has always been a go-to remedy for all types of infections because it can kill bacteria and help soothe pain and irritation. 

Gargling with warm salt water can also help with cough because it loosens the mucus so you can spit it out easily.

Prepare a warm glass of water first mixed with half-teaspoon salt. Make sure to tilt your head and gargle so the solution can reach your throat. Spit out the salt water afterward. You can do this for 3-4 hours until you feel better. 

3. Use a Humidifier

This type of remedy doesn't have to be taken orally but this helps a lot to treat sore throat, especially during the cold season. You are likely to experience dry air during winter days leading to different colds and sinuses that trigger sore throat. With the use of a humidifier, you can just place it in your room and humidify the air that is vital to soothe your sinuses.

4. Suck On Lozenges

There are a lot of sore throat remedies advertised on TV and including throat lozenges. Yes, it's a safe treatment option to relieve pain in patients with uncomplicated sore throats according to a study conducted by PubMed. 

You need to consider buying the ones with Amylmetacresol and 2,4-Dichlorobenzylalcohol which can be found in lozenges like Strepsils. These are very effective for sore throat compared to non-medicated lozenges. However, this is not advisable to be taken by children under 4 years old to avoid choking. 

5. Gargle Baking Soda

Aside from salt, you can also mix water with baking soda as one of the effective sore throat remedies. Baking soda can kill bacteria and avoid the spread of other infections in your throat. So, if you feel more comfortable using baking soda than salt, you can use it as an alternative to gargling

Prepare a warm glass of water first mixed with ¼ teaspoon baking soda. Make sure to tilt your head and gargle so the solution can reach your throat. Spit out the baking soda water afterward. You can do this for 3-4 hours until you feel better. 

6. Gargle Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar contains antimicrobial properties to stop the bacteria from spreading in your throat. It is acidic in nature making it effective to fight infections in swollen tonsils. 

Prepare a glass of water first mixed with 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Make sure to tilt your head and gargle so the solution can reach your throat. Spit out the baking apple cider afterward. You can do this for 3-4 hours until you feel better. Just make sure to drink plenty of water because it is an acidic solution.

7. Consider Flossing Regularly

One of the main causes of sore throat is bad oral hygiene. If you just brush your teeth but don't do flossing, you are likely to have bacteria buildup that may lead to tonsilitis. If you find it hard to use dental floss, you can use a water flosser that is way more convenient to use. 

Steps in Using Water Flosser

  1. Fill the reservoir with warm water before placing it on the base.
  2. Water flossers come with different tips so choose the one that you favored the most. 
  3. Click the tip on the handle.
  4. Turn on the water flosser and set the control dial too high to let the water flow. (The next time you will use it, you can set the control dial to any type of pressure you want.)
  5. In a sink, you have to lean over so that the water won’t stream down to your clothes.
  6. Place the tip at the gumline and let the water flow to clean each tooth. 
  7. Move it from one gum to another.
  8. Once you have finished flossing your teeth, turn the water flosser off and remove the tip.
girl flossing teeth using water flosser

Prevention is always better than cure. If you take good care of your overall health, don't forget your oral health too. 

Conclusion

There are many ways to get rid of sore throat at home, and this all depends on the available remedy you have at home. If you are sensitive to the things mentioned above, it is important to seek help from your doctor.

 

Disclaimer:

The content in this article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your health regimen. The author and publisher do not take responsibility for any consequences resulting from the information provided in this article.

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