Salt water can calm inflammation by knocking down the kind of acidity that leads to throat irritation. It may also help draw infections or irritants to the surface of your throat, where your body is better able to deal with them. Dissolve ¼ to ½ teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water, advises Mia Finkelston, MD, a Maryland-based family physician who also treats patients via LiveHealth Online. Gargle every hour or two.
Those first few swallows may not be pleasant. But just as icing a sprained ankle can dull the pain and prevent swelling, drinking icy liquids can both numb your throat and calm some of the inflammation that’s causing you pain, Finkelston says.
If you eventually get sick of downing ice water, a popsicle can be just as effective at fighting off the inflammation in your throat. Just be sure to steer clear of citrus flavors which can trigger acid reflux and in turn, worsen your symptoms.
Acid reflux is a common cause of a sore throat, Comer says. That means anything you do to stoke acid reflux could prolong or worsen a sore throat. For that reason, Comer recommends avoiding soda, fried foods, and citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. Also, skip food altogether for an hour before bed. Eating before you lie down can promote reflux, experts warn.
If you think reflux is to blame for your sore throat, taking antacids or other reflux meds could help knock out your pain at its source, Finkelston says. (Note that this should not be a long-term solution.)
Turmeric is the trendy supplement du jour, and one you should definitely be adding to your diet. While some of its benefits—including its potential to prevent cancer or brain diseases—require more study, its anti-inflammation powers are well-established and may help relieve your sore throat, Finkelston says. Add a few dashes to your tea or salt-water gargle.
Ibuprofen can ease swelling and irritation, so it can help put a stop to the coughing and throat-clearing that prevents your sore throat from healing, Finkelston says. Just be sure to take your ibuprofen with food, and follow the dosing instructions on the label.
A tired body = a tired immune system. If you’re worn out, your body will struggle to heal itself. So get some rest. Time in bed or away from life’s usual stressors can help recharge your immune system and relieve your sore throat, Finkelston says.
If you developed a sore throat after yelling and cheering at a concert or sporting event, you likely strained your vocal cords. The best treatment for any overworked muscle is rest. But resting your voice doesn’t mean you should whisper. This actually strains your voice more than speaking. Instead, try talking at a lower volume than usual until the hoarseness and soreness subside.
Dry air can irritate a sore throat, prolonging your recovery time, according to Mayo Clinic experts. Take a steamy shower or plug in your humidifier to help relieve the pain. But if you go with the latter suggestion, be sure to scrub out your machine before turning it on. (Here’s exactly how to clean a humidifier.) Left neglected, a humidifier’s water tank can breed bacteria and fungi, which then get pumped into the air, according to a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSP) safety alert. While this may not make your throat feel any worse, it could cause flu-like symptoms or exacerbate allergies or asthma.
If your sore throat lasts more than 48 hours, you may have a bacterial infection like strep, Comer explains. If that’s the case, you may need to take antibiotics or steroids to relieve your sore throat, he says. Call your doc and tell her what’s up.
