To make your throat stop hurting, you can try several effective home remedies and self-care strategies:
- Rest your voice and get plenty of sleep to help your body heal
- Drink plenty of fluids to keep your throat moist and prevent dehydration. Warm liquids like broth, caffeine-free tea with honey (not for children under 1), or warm water can soothe the throat, while cold treats like ice pops can also provide relief
- Gargle with warm salt water made by dissolving about half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Gargle and spit it out several times a day to reduce swelling and irritation
- Use throat lozenges or hard candies to stimulate saliva production and keep your throat moist, but avoid giving these to young children due to choking risk
- Humidify the air with a cool-air humidifier or inhale steam from a hot shower or a bowl of hot water with a towel over your head to soothe dryness and irritation
- Avoid irritants such as cigarette smoke and strong cleaning products that can worsen throat pain
- Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help reduce pain and inflammation. Avoid aspirin in young children
- Comforting foods such as chicken soup may help reduce inflammation and provide psychosocial benefits that aid healing
Additional tips include gently massaging your throat area to relieve congestion and promote lymph flow, as demonstrated in some therapeutic exercises
. If your sore throat persists for more than a few days, is severe, or is accompanied by other symptoms like high fever, difficulty swallowing, or rash, you should see a healthcare provider to rule out bacterial infections or other causes. These remedies can help soothe your sore throat and promote healing effectively at home
