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What are the Best Treatments for Sore Throat?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

There are a number of different reasons why an individual may develop a sore throat. Fortunately, many of those underlying causes are not due to some type of serious ailment, and can be treated with relative ease. For conditions that do not involve a serious illness, many treatments for sore throat are no further away than the local pharmacy or even the spice rack. At other times, a visit to a doctor and possibly a prescription medication will be necessary.

If the throat is sore due to a cold or flu, one of the best treatments for sore throat is mixing a small amount of salt into a glass of warm water. The solution is then gargled, allowing the salt to coat the infection found in the throat. The salt helps to draw moisture from the inflamed tissue, making the environment for the infection less hospitable. As the inflammation subsides, the throat begins to feel better.

Adding honey to tea can help soothe a sore throat.
Adding honey to tea can help soothe a sore throat.

Another of the more popular home treatments for sore throat is the creation of an herbal tea containing cayenne, honey, lemon, and apple cider vinegar. This combination can often soothe a throat that is sore due to excess vocalization, such as speaking before crowds or singing for extended periods of time. The honey helps to coat and soothe irritated tissue, while the other ingredients help to calm any inflammation and also provide nutrients that help the body heal. Some recipes for this tea also call for adding peppermint in some form during the brewing process.

A cup of herbal tea may help relieve sore throat pain.
A cup of herbal tea may help relieve sore throat pain.

There are also a number of over the counter medications that are effective treatments for sore throat. Medicated drops formulated to ease the rawness that is part of a sore throat are common, and are very convenient to carry along and use throughout the day. There are also spray compounds that can be administered with ease, bringing temporary relief. Many of these products contain menthol and other ingredients that help to deaden the pain, making it easier to cope with the sore throat while the underlying reason for the pain is addressed and treated.

There are numerous treatments for a sore throat.
There are numerous treatments for a sore throat.

In situations where home remedies and over the counter treatments for sore throat pain prove unsuccessful, a visit to a physician will be in order. After assessing the condition of the throat, the doctor may prepare a shot of antibiotics or provide a prescription for medication that will help to heal the infection. Depending on the severity and cause of the sore throat, the medication may take a couple of days to significantly reduce the pain. In the interim, the doctor is likely to recommend using various home remedies to help keep the discomfort at a minimum until the prescription medicine takes effect.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...

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    • Adding honey to tea can help soothe a sore throat.
      By: Jaimie Duplass
      Adding honey to tea can help soothe a sore throat.
    • A cup of herbal tea may help relieve sore throat pain.
      By: hitdelight
      A cup of herbal tea may help relieve sore throat pain.
    • There are numerous treatments for a sore throat.
      By: xalanx
      There are numerous treatments for a sore throat.
    • Getting antibiotics from a doctor may be necessary.
      By: Alexander Raths
      Getting antibiotics from a doctor may be necessary.
    • Apple cider vinegar can help with a sore throat.
      By: Comugnero Silvana
      Apple cider vinegar can help with a sore throat.
    • Rest can help ease the symptoms of a sore throat.
      By: jinga80
      Rest can help ease the symptoms of a sore throat.
    • Gargling warm saltwater can soothe a sore throat.
      By: JackF
      Gargling warm saltwater can soothe a sore throat.