When a person suffers from a sore throat, the throat is often dry, scratchy, and painful. Sore throats are one of the most common reasons why people seek out doctor care all over the world. Sore throats can be caused by numerous things, including dry air, allergies, and infections. There are three different types of sore throat, and they include:
- Tonsillitis. This is where there is swelling in the tonsils and redness.
- Laryngitis. This is redness and swelling in the voice box.
- Pharyngitis. Pharyngitis is pain and redness right behind the mouth.
Symptoms of a sore throat include feeling a scratchy, burning, dry, raw, tender, or irritated feeling in the throat. These symptoms may be worsened when a person swallows or talks. The tonsils and throat may be red in appearance, along with some swelling. Most of the time, a sore throat will go away without any medical intervention.
Common Sore Throat Causes
There are many reasons why a person’s throat may be sore. These reasons include:
- Viral infections, colds, and the flu - Around 90% of sore throats are caused by a viral condition like the flu, mononucleosis, measles, chickenpox, and the common cold.
- Bacterial infections - Bacterial infections like strep throat can lead to a sore throat. Other bacterial infections like sexually transmitted infections and tonsillitis can lead to a sore throat.
- Allergies - Pollen, pet dander, and grass can all cause an allergy trigger, which will cause a sore throat. If a person also suffers from a post nasal drip, this can irritate the area, which will lead to a sore throat.
- Dry air - When the air is dry, it will suck moisture out from the throat and nose. Dry air is most commonly seen when a person has their heating system running.
- Irritants - Chemicals like smoke, chemical cleaners, and air pollution can all cause a sore throat.
- Injury. Any kind of injury such as being hit in the neck can cause a sore throat. If a piece of food or medication becomes stuck in the throat, it can cause the throat to be sore. Singers that sing for a loud period of time can have a sore throat, as can people who have to yell loudly for an extended period of time.
- GERD - Gastroesophageal reflux disease is where the acid in the stomach can back up into the throat. This can cause a sore throat along with heartburn.
- Tumors - In rare cases, the cause for sore throat may be a tumor on the tongue, voice box, or somewhere else in the throat. If a person has a continuous sore throat that lasts more than a few days, they should see their doctor as soon as possible.
Common Sore Throat Treatments
Typically, a sore throat will go away on its own after a few days. There are several sore throat treatments that a person can do at home to help to alleviate any pain and discomfort.
- Resting - One of the most important things that a person can do when they have a sore throat is to rest. Resting allows the body time to fight off whatever is causing the sore throat. This is especially true if a person has a bacterial or viral cause for the sore throat.
- Warm liquids - Warm liquids can help soothe the pain of a sore throat, warm water with lemons, herbal teas, and soup broth are all popular choices.
- Cold Items - Another way to treat a sore throat is by eating ice cream or sucking on a popsicle. This can help to numb the throat.
- Saltwater - Saltwater can help to ease the soreness of the throat and help promote healing.
- Sore throat meds - There are several different kinds of sore throat over the counter medications that can help to alleviate the pain of a sore throat.
- Allergy medications - If the sore throat is caused by allergies, an allergy medication can help to minimize the symptoms.
- Sore throat spray - Sore throat spray can help to numb the pain in the throat quickly.
- Humidifiers - If the sore throat has been caused by dry air, a cool-mist humidifier can help put moisture back in the air and alleviate the sore throat.
- Antibiotics - In the case of a bacterial cause like strep throat, antibiotics will be needed.
- Warm compress - A warm scarf or heating pad around the throat can help to alleviate the pain of a sore throat.
Many other all-natural remedies can help to alleviate the pain of a sore throat. If the sore throat is severe or lasts longer than a few days, a doctor’s visit will be needed to determine the root cause of the pain.