Sore Throat? 5 Ways to Treat it at Home — Premier

If you've ever had a bad sore throat, you know how miserable it can be. While you wait for your body to fight the infection on its own, there are things you can do at home to relieve your symptoms and feel better faster.

STAY HYDRATED WITH WATER

When you have a sore throat, it's essential to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of fluids, including water, can help ease your throat pain. Water can help flush out mucous that is irritating your throat, thus reducing the pain. The Mayo Clinic recommends staying hydrated with at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. However, if your sore throat is accompanied by a high fever or is severe, you may need to increase your fluid intake to prevent dehydration.

GARGLE SALTWATER TO SOOTHE INFLAMED MUCOUS MEMBRANES

A saltwater gargle is one of the most effective ways to ease a sore throat and soothe inflamed mucous membranes. It is also inexpensive and easy to do at home.

If you don't already have them in your home, you will need the following ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of salt
• Hot water
• 1 cup warm distilled or boiled water

Mix the salt into the warm water until it is dissolved entirely, and let it cool if boiled. Use this solution in place of your regular mouthwash whenever you feel like your throat needs soothing.

AVOID FOODS THAT MAY CAUSE IRRITATION

Avoid eating hard foods such as nuts and popcorn as they can scrape your inflamed throat. Soft foods such as mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, and soup will be easier on your throat as they will not irritate it further.

DRINK A WARM LEMON CAYENNE HONEY TEA

Combine cayenne pepper and honey for fast and effective relief from a sore and scratchy throat. This remedy is pretty simple:

Mix one tablespoon of honey with 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and mix thoroughly in warm water. Add a squeeze of lemon and sip slowly to coat your throat thoroughly.

IF YOUR SYMPTOMS ACCELERATE, PREMIER IS HERE!

It's always a good idea to see a medical provider if you have symptoms that last more than two days or if your symptoms are severe. A severe sore throat can be a symptom of strep throat, which requires antibiotic treatment.

If your sore throat is accompanied by ear pain, fever, headache, skin rash, or swollen lymph nodes, see your doctor immediately because it could be a sign of strep throat or mononucleosis (glandular fever). These conditions require prescription antibiotics to treat them effectively.