How Do I Get Rid of a Sore Throat Quickly?
Sore throats (pharyngitis) are among the most common health ailments, especially during the winter. They are typically caused by infections like the common cold, flu and strep throat. While they can be quite painful, they often go away within a week.
Can’t make it a week? Find relief for your sore throat now with these helpful at-home remedies.
1. Gargling with Salt Water
While salt water may not provide you with immediate relief, it is still an effective remedy for killing bacteria while loosening mucus and easing pain. Simply mix half a teaspoon of salt into 8 ounces of warm water and gargle away.
2. Honey For a Sore Throat
“Honey is one of the best remedies for a sore throat due to its natural antibacterial properties that allow it to act as a wound healer, immediately offering relief for pain while working to reduce inflammation. Honey can also kill bacteria and help fight off viral infections,” explains Charlotte Smith, MD, physician at Penn Medicine Urgent Care South Philadelphia.
If you’re suffering from a bad cough in addition to your sore throat, honey may also act as an effective cough suppressant. Mix two tablespoons of honey in with a warm glass of water or tea and stir it well. Drink several times a day as needed.
It's important to note that honey should not be given to infants under the age of one.
3. Lemon to Boost The Immune System
Similar to salt water and honey, lemons are great for sore throats because they can help break up mucus and provide pain relief. What’s more, lemons are packed with vitamin C which can help to boost the immune system and give it more power to fight off your infection. Mix one teaspoon of lemon juice into a glass of warm water and drink for quick relief.
4. Hot Sauce for Quick Pain Relief
It may sound strange to use hot sauce to relieve a fiery throat, but this condiment has actually been proven to provide relief for sore throats. Hot sauce is made from peppers that are high in capsaicin, which can be used to fight inflammation and provide pain relief. So, while it may burn at first, dropping a few drops of hot sauce into a warm glass of water to gargle may just be the right remedy to cure your sore throat.
5. Best Type of Tea for a Sore Throat
There are many different kinds of herbal teas you can try for quick sore throat relief. Clove tea and green tea both contain antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to fight against infections while providing relief. Raspberry, chamomile, and peppermint tea are great choices for relieving pain and reducing inflammation. Chamomile tea can also serve as a natural lubricant, so if your voice is hoarse and you’re having difficulty speaking, this may be your best option. Additionally, peppermint tea can naturally numb your throat and alleviate your pain. When choosing the best tea for your sore throat, you may also want to check the caffeine content.
“When recovering from an illness, it’s important to rest. If you’re getting ready to sleep, it may be best to go with non-caffeinated tea,” recommends Dr. Smith.
6. Humidifier to Open the Sinuses
If you’ve noticed an increase in the number of sore throats you’ve had this season, then it may be time to invest in a humidifier. Dry air, especially during the harsh, cold days of winter, may be the cause of your sore throat. A humidifier will keep the air moist and open your sinuses. Add in a tablespoon or two of vapor rub or hydrogen peroxide solution to provide additional relief.
What to Avoid with a Sore Throat
While all of these remedies have been shown to ease sore throat pain, there are some items you may want to avoid.
“If you have a sore throat, I recommend avoiding any foods that may be difficult to swallow. I suggest sticking to soups and soft foods until the sore throat pain has resolved,” says Dr. Smith.
“If you’ve tried at-home remedies and they do not seem to be helping, schedule an appointment with your physician right away. You should also seek treatment from your doctor if your sore throat is accompanied by a fever, chills, difficulty swallowing, or if you are unable to drink fluids, as this could be a sign of a more serious illness.”
Your poor sore throat. Is there anything that can help? A sore throat makes it more difficult to eat, drink, sleep, talk and generally function — and who wants that?
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What’s even more frustrating is that sore throats can be caused by a myriad of maladies — from allergies to the common cold, from bacterial infections like strep throat to other issues.
“The best way to get to the bottom of what’s causing your sore throat is to visit your doctor,” says family medicine specialist Daniel Allan, MD. But if you can’t make an appointment right away, Dr. Allan shares the most effective home remedies for a sore throat that’ll hold you over for a few days — along with those that don’t quite work as advertised.
6 home remedies to get rid of a sore throat
In the meantime, try some of Dr. Allan’s tried-and-true ways to alleviate your sore throat.
1. Warm and cold fluids
Sip on warm drinks, like tea or chicken soup. (It’s not just good for the soul, you know!) Or try cold liquids, such as ice water or popsicles. It depends on your preference and what soothes your throat best.
“Liquids help clear mucous membranes, keep things flowing and prevent sinus infections,” says Dr. Allan. Warm temperatures may also reduce coughs by soothing the back of your throat. Try both warm and cold to see what works best for you.
2. Gargling
Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of salt — or a similar amount of baking soda — in a glass of warm water. Gargle (but don’t swallow) the concoction every three hours for an all-natural sore throat remedy.
Salt water can help reduce swelling and irritation in your throat. Baking soda also soothes the throat, breaks up mucus and can help with throat-irritating acid reflux.
3. Over-the-counter antihistamines and pain relievers
An antihistamine may dull or relieve throat pain. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen and naproxen also help with pain that’s located a little deeper in your glands and other parts of your neck.
“Histamines are chemicals that help your immune system fight foreign substances. But sometimes, they go overboard, triggering symptoms (such as congestion and post-nasal drip) that can make a sore throat feel worse,” explains Dr. Allan. Antihistamines can counteract this overreaction.
4. Steam and humidity
Take a hot shower. When it gets really steamy, breathe in the throat-clearing magic. Dr. Allan says steam loosens mucus and can moisturize and soothe a sore throat.
5. Hot toddy
A hot toddy is a drink combo made with water, whiskey, honey and lemon juice and served hot. Some people add spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg or ginger. Oh yeah — you should also be of legal drinking age to try this one. Sorry, kids.
Dr. Allan shares why hot toddies can be very soothing:
- Honey coats your throat and soothes it by reducing irritation. Honey also has antibacterial properties, and the sweetness can calm your throat’s nerve endings and reduce coughing.
- Whiskey (a small amount; too much can dehydrate you) breaks up and thins mucus. Whiskey also dilates your blood vessels on the surface of your throat, so immune cells in your blood can multiply and fight the infection.
- Spices stimulate saliva production, improving both hydration and mucus flow in your throat.
6. Rest
Put your head on your pillow at a decent hour and close your eyes. Repeat as necessary.
“Don’t underestimate physically resting your body and voice,” Dr. Allan says. But beware: Lying flat can sometimes cause swelling due to an increase in pressure at the back of your throat. Instead, try elevating the bed or sitting propped up or in a chair to alleviate the pain and discomfort.
Home remedies for sore throat to avoid
Dr. Allan warns that not all sore throat remedies are created equally. He recommends you pass on these two:
- Apple cider vinegar. “It probably has some antibacterial properties, but that’s not going to do much for the sore throat itself.”
- Essential oils. “They haven’t been well-studied or clinically proven for safety or effectiveness.”
And avoid things that can irritate your throat, including:
- Dry air.
- Smoking.
- Acidic foods or spicy foods.
- Lying down immediately after you eat, especially if you have acid reflux.
How long does a sore throat last?
It really depends on what’s causing your sore throat. “Most sore throats will dissipate within three to 10 days if it’s caused by a viral infection like a cold,” says Dr. Allan.
If a bacterial infection like strep or allergies is the culprit, your sore throat could last longer if not treated with appropriate antibiotics or medications.
Once you’re properly diagnosed and treated for a bacterial infection, your sore throat should clear up within a day or so.
When to see a doctor about throat pain
Dr. Allan advises using common sense when deciding whether to seek out medical care.
Call your doctor if you:
- Have throat pain that’s severe, prolonged or not improving, or stretches into your ear.
- Have trouble swallowing, breathing or opening your mouth.
- Are coughing up blood or have blood in your saliva.
- Feel enlarged lymph nodes, or lumps, in your neck.
- Have white patches on the back of your throat or a rash, possible signs of strep throat or scarlet fever.
- Have a high fever.
- Lose your voice for more than a week or two.
And remember, when it comes to illnesses, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Wash your hands often. And if you do get sick, Dr. Allan recommends immediately replacing your toothbrush with a fresh, germ-free one.