What can you do for a sore throat?

A sore throat is one of the usual symptoms of a cold. It is very uncomfortable because it affects our day-to-day life in actions such as speaking or eating, and it ends up becoming a real ordeal. That is why, in this article, we want to talk about what to take for a sore throat.

Main causes of throat irritation

Throat irritationcan happen for a number of reasons. Among the most common, we highlight:

• Bacterial infections:Streptococcal infections and the inflammation they cause in the throat and tonsils are painful.
• Viral infections:The viruses that cause the common cold or flu often lead to a sore throat.
• Allergies:Pet hair, pollen, mould, etc., cause throat irritation and inflammation in people with allergies. In addition, in these situations a lot of mucus builds up, and this may be responsible for the irritation.
• Exposure to chemicals or tobacco smoke:Cigarette smoke, a freshly painted surface or inhaling a chemical product can cause chronic throat pain.
• Environmental factors:Closed rooms, dry air, dusty environments or city pollution.
• Shouting, singing or speaking for a long time:Talking for a long time, giving a concert, doing karaoke for a long time or shouting frequently can irritate the throat. The reason is that the constant intake of air through this area causes it to dry out. That is why it is important to stay well hydrated in these circumstances.
• Changes in temperature:When we leave the neck area uncovered outdoors and it is cold, it can cause throat irritation.
• Dry cough:When we have a dry cough, the throat lining becomes progressively irritated.
• Gastro-oesophageal reflux.

Symptoms of an inflamed throat

Sometimes, when we have an irritated and inflamed throat, we also experience pain when swallowing (odynophagia). Depending on each person’s symptoms, we can determine the cause of the inflammation and tell the difference between a temporary problem and something more long-lasting.

Common symptoms in inflamed throats caused by a viral infection are characterised by:

• Dry cough.
• Hoarseness.
• Conjunctivitis.
• Nasal congestion

On the other hand, if the infection is bacterial, the following symptoms are added to the above:

• Fever.
• Inflammation of the tonsils.
• Swollen lymph nodes.
• Bad breath.
• Throat pain when speaking or swallowing.

Can we prevent throat irritation?

Prevention is key to avoiding any kind of illness. In this case, the best way to do so is by avoiding the microorganisms responsible. How?

1. Wash your hands frequently, especially before meals, after using the toilet and after sneezing. Do so with plenty of soap and water.

1. Cover your mouth with a disposable tissue when sneezing or coughing.
2. Do not share eating utensils with other people.
3. Disinfect surfacesthat may have been touched by other people with dirty hands, such as doors, tables, mobile phones, etc.
4. Keep a certain distancefrom anyone with flu-like symptoms.

Sore throat remedies

When you have a sore throat, the usual home remedies are the following:

1. Gargle with warm salt water

This is an excellent way to relieve the symptoms. To prepare this solution, add one tablespoon of salt to a glass of warm water. Mix until dissolved and gargle 2 or 3 times a day.

2. Drink lemon tea with honey and ginger

Lemon tea with honey and ginger is one of the traditional remedies for a sore throat. Its effectiveness lies in its antibacterial properties and its vitamin C content, which helps strengthen the body’s natural defences.

It is a good idea to have it a couple of times a day. The best way to prepare it is to add a piece of lemon and around one centimetre of ginger root to a cup of boiling water.

Leave it to stand for fifteen minutes and then strain it. If anyone needs to sweeten it, the best option is honey.

3. Drink mallow, sage or marshmallow tea

Infusions made from these plants have anti-inflammatory properties and will soothe the throat. For this reason, they are excellent for easing the symptoms and improving throat irritation.

Prepare them by adding a teaspoon of your favourite herb to a cup of hot water. Leave to stand for 15 minutes and then strain. It is advisable to drink a couple of cups a day.

4. Put a warm cloth on your throat

A warm cloth on the throat improves circulation in the area and helps reduce inflammation. How do you do it? Wet a cloth with hot water and then wring it out.

After that, place it on the throat so it can work (it will help the muscles relax and the blood vessels dilate).

5. Use a humidifier

Humidity will help reduce discomfort. You can find several types of humidifier, but the one that suits us is a cool mist humidifier.

It is essential to keep the device clean so that bacteria do not build up inside and then get breathed in. If you do not have one, you can inhale eucalyptus steam, always breathing through your mouth.

What to take for a sore throat?

Although we have talked about some herbal teas that can be very helpful, we also want to offer a few food-related solutions. So, when we do not know what to take for a sore throat, it is best to think of a diet based on liquids and soft foods.

Purees and soups are our great allies. In the same way, it is essential to avoid foods that are very cold or very hot; this will reduce the discomfort and pain when swallowing them. For this reason, soup is always a good choice as a starter.

The best one to have is chicken soup, although we are not going to deny that any warm broth will do us good. Experts recommend chicken, vegetable or beef soups.

By contrast, tomato soup is not recommended because it is very acidic, nor are soups containing dairy, as these will increase mucus production.

These remedies for throat irritationcan also be combined with certain medicines, especially when the pain is very severe or has lasted for more than 3 days. In that case, the best thing to do is see a doctor.