A sore throat can stem from vocal strain, allergies or a viral infection. Symptoms often include painful swallowing, scratchiness and dryness. It usually goes away on its own, but if it is caused by a bacterial infection, it may require antibiotics. See your doctor if your throat has spots, you cannot swallow, or if you experience a headache and vomiting. Otherwise, you can use simple home remedies to soothe a sore throat.
Fluids
Fluids can moisten your throat and soothe pain, dryness and scratchiness. Try drinking water and eating warm soup or broth. Tea made from herbs such as honeysuckle, chamomile or marshmallow root is soothing for a sore throat. Try stirring honey and lemon juice into your tea or a glass of warm water. Lemon juice cleanses bacteria from your throat, and honey coats it, providing moisture. If it is too painful to swallow, suck on ice chips to provide your throat with moisture. Avoid caffeine or strongly flavored beverages, which can irritate your throat and make it more painful and dry.
Gargling
Gargling salt water can help to clear mucus from your throat and offer pain relief. Mix ½ tsp. of salt in a glass of warm water. Sip the mixture, tilt your head back and gargle it in your throat before spitting out the salt water. Do this several times a day until your sore throat is gone.
Humidifier and Saliva
A humidifier or vaporizer puts moisture back into a room and loosens your mucous membranes, relieving pain. Use a warm or cool mist humidifier while you sleep so you breathe in the moist air. You can also suck on hard candy, which increases your saliva production and helps to clean your throat. Young children experiencing a sore throat should use only a cool mist humidifier as a safety precaution to prevent burns and should not suck on any hard candy because it could pose a choking hazard.
