How to Soothe Your Sore Throat

Say goodbye to the Ah-ful feeling of a sore throat

With the exception of a bacterial infection, often times a sore throat is caused by dry or irritated tissues and does not require a visit to the doctor or pricey over the counter aids to alleviate the pain and discomfort. Read on to find out more.

Things You'll Need

• Hot liquids such as teas, salty broth, cider etc.
• Hard candies
• Tylenol (optional)
• Steam source

Instructions

1. First, it's important to rule out any early indication that your sore throat may be the cause of a bacterial infection. Which will need medical attention as soon as possible to treat. You will want to check for any white spots on the throat or tonsil area, abcesses or unusual drainage, and fever. Your sore throat may be a symptom that stands on it's own, or accompanied with the common cold. There is no cure for the common cold, it is a viral infection that will run it's course in your body and expire on it's own.

2. Now that you have checked the area and ruled out any obvious signs that the cause is more than a viral infection or dry air, let's get to soothing that aching throat! Hot liquids, especially chicken broth will help the inflammation. If you wish, for more painful sore throats tylenol can also be helpful. Keep in mind it is not always necessary once you've gone through the other steps.

3. Create a steam station. This will help tremendously with the irritated and dry tissues, I reccomend boiling water, placing it in a large bowl, and then using a towel to shroud your head and the bowl, allow the steam to permeate. Steam CAN cause burns so it's important to excersize caution. Hold your head at least 6" from the steam source.

4. The next helpful tip is to use hard candy regularly. This can be any hard candy, you do not need to pay extra money for "throat lozenges". If anything, most throat lozenges are a gimic, they provide comfort to your throat by keeping tissues lubricated but they don't use any kind of actual medication source to do this. Some throat lozenges may contain menthol or other ingredients that can be soothing to throat tissues but in my experience, not any more so than your run of the mill hard candies. It is also not necessary to use throat sprays which only numb the affected area briefly. You will be wasting your money.

5. Rest and relaxation is important. Sleep is the bodies way of repairing damaged or torn tissue and will help your bodies immunity. Should your condition worsen within 48 hours, consult a physician. If you have made sure to consume plenty of liquids, kept your mouth regularly lubricated with the use of hard candies, and tried steam inhalation as necessary, your throat discomfort should improve very quickly thereafter.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to use hard candies often, it's important to keep those throat tissues lubricated.

• Popsicles or sherbet may soothe throat, many ice creams containing candies and chocolate or peanut butter ribbon will tend to irritate throat so they should be avoided.

• If fever develops or you notice white spots or discharge, see your physician.

• Avoid chocolate and peanut butter products while you have symptoms, this will greatly agitate your condition.