If your child complains of an itchy or scratchy sore throat, a visit to the doctor is not necessarily in order. Instead, many items you have at home may be useful in treating your child's sore or swollen throat. If your child's sore throat does not subside within two to three days, seek medical attention from your child's pediatrician, as this could be the sign of a more serious infection.
Gargle With Salt Water
This easy-to-make remedy is useful for soothing sore throats and freeing mucus, according to the Mayo Clinic. To make the solution, mix 1/2 tsp. of salt in a glass of warm--not too hot--water. Hold the water toward the back of your throat and gargle. Then, spit the water out. Repeat the gargle a few times throughout the day.
Drink More Fluids
Increased fluid intake can help to replace sweat lost while sweating out a fever or dehydration that can occur when excess mucus is produced. Good examples of fluid to drink include water, 100 percent fruit juice, tea or broth. A hot drink, such as lemon tea enhanced with honey also can provide pain relief and enhance fluid intake.
Cool drinks enhanced with ice or sucking on ice pops also can soothe a sore throat.
Utilize a Humidifier
A humidifier helps to introduce moisture into the air, which can help to keep the mucus membranes that inflame the throat from drying out. Keeping a humidifier running in your child's bedroom may help to reduce inflammation in the membranes.
Suck on Hard Candy
If your child is older than 4 years of age, he can have hard candies or throat lozenges, according to KidsHealth.org. Both of these activities can help boost the amount of saliva in the mouth, which helps to sooth a sore throat. Lozenges containing zinc or slippery elm are soothing to the throat without being drying. However, according to SteadyHealth.com, lozenges manufactured with menthol or mint may be drying for the throat.
