HOW TO SOOTHE A SORE THROAT FAST

Easy, non-prescription remedies that can help ease soreness and scratchiness

Asore throat can be the first sign of a cold, a side effect of strained vocal cords, or an indication of something more serious (like strep throat).

Regardless of the cause, your immediate concern when soreness strikes is how to get relief, fast. You may be tempted to run to your doctor – and they can help if you have strep throat caused by a bacterial infection by prescribing antibiotics – but some of the best treatments are home remedies and over-the-counter meds.

Here are nine things to try the next time you're feeling scratchy, hoarse, or just plain sick.

Anti-inflammatories

One of the most effective treatments for a sore throat is probably already in your medicine cabinet: an over-the-counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

These medicines are combination pain relievers and anti-inflammatories, so they'll make you feel better and they'll also reduce some of the swelling associated with a sore throat. If you have a fever that's also contributing to your symptoms, they can help reduce that as well.

Saltwater gargles

Several studies have found that gargling a few times a day with warm saltwater can reduce swelling in the throat and loosen mucus, helping to flush out irritants or bacteria.

Doctors generally recommend dissolving half a teaspoon of salt in one cup of water. (If the salty taste is too unpleasant for you, try adding a small amount of honey to sweeten the mixture slightly.) Then, tip your head back and gargle for about 30 seconds, and spit the water out afterwards (you definitely don't want to swallow it!).

Cough syrups, lozenges or sprays

Sometimes that annoying scratch in your throat or incessant cough just won’t budge and you need additional remedies – preferably those that come from the medicine aisle in the drugstore. Enter: Cough syrup, throat lozenges, and throat sprays. Though the medicines may conjure memories of too-sweet cherry and purple grape concoctions, there are plenty of adult-friendly options to soothe your throat.

Drink fluids

Experts recommend drinking plenty of beverages and staying as hydrated as possible, to keep your throat coated and comfortable. Warm beverages may also help a bit more than cool ones, to soothe the throat, prevent dehydration, and even ease congestion.

Tea

Tired of drinking water? A warm cup of herbal tea can offer immediate, soothing relief for a sore throat. What's more, non-herbal teas – whether they're made with black, green, or white leaves – contain antioxidants that are thought to strengthen immunity and ward off infection.

For an extra boost, add a teaspoon of honey. It'll help the medicine go down, and may have antibacterial properties that may help you heal faster.

Chicken soup

An age-old home remedy for colds, chicken soup can help soothe a sore throat, as well. The sodium in the broth may actually have anti-inflammatory properties, and it can feel good going down.

Soup has an added benefit when you're sick: Eating can be painful and difficult with a swollen or very sore throat, so sipping some liquid nourishment will ensure that you're getting the nutrients you need to fight off your infection.

Marshmallows

Okay hear us out: There's no hard evidence that it works, but sap from the marshmallow plant has been used for hundreds of years – usually in tea form – to treat coughs, colds, and sore throats. And while real marshmallow bears little relation to the puffy campfire treats that took its name, both may have sore throat-fighting properties.

According to anecdotal reports, modern-day marshmallows can help ease sore throat pain, possibly because the gelatin coats and soothes. It's not the wackiest thing in the world. If your throat is really swollen and it really hurts to swallow anything, we can see how something slippery and sweet like marshmallows might provide some relief.

Rest

It may not be the quickest solution, but getting some rest is probably the best thing you can do to battle the infection that caused your sore throat in the first place.

The vast majority of sore throats are caused by cold viruses, and we know that there's very little we can do to cure a cold once we've got it. Making sure your body is well rested will at least help it fight off the virus so you can get better sooner.

Antibiotics

Every once and a while – about 10 per cent of the time in adults – a sore throat will be caused by a bacterial infection. If, and only if, you test positive for strep throat or another bacterial infection, your doctor should prescribe an antibiotic.

Always take the full course of medicine, even if you feel better after a few days.

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