Gargle with salt water
A mild saline solution can be used for gargling. The water should be lukewarm and comfortable.
Young children should not gargle until they can safely spit out the liquid.
Sore Throat: Causes and What Can Help
A sore throat often starts with a scratchy or burning sensation in the throat. The mucous membrane may be red and swollen, swallowing may be difficult, and even speaking can become uncomfortable.
A sore throat is often the first sign of a cold. However, it can also be caused by dry air, smoke, overuse of the voice, or other irritants.
Common Symptoms of a Sore Throat
Sore throats can vary in severity. Common symptoms include:
- A scratchy or burning sensation in the throat
- Pain when swallowing
- reddened or swollen mucous membranes
- a scratchy feeling in the throat
- Hoarseness
- Pain When Speaking
- Cough reflex
- swollen or tender lymph nodes
- general feeling of illness
- occasional fever
If severe symptoms, shortness of breath, or noticeable swelling occur, the cause should be evaluated by a doctor.
What causes a sore throat?
Acute sore throats are usually caused by viruses. They often occur along with a runny nose, cough, hoarseness, or other cold symptoms.
Other possible causes include:
- bacterial infections
- Tonsillitis
- Laryngitis or Pharyngitis
- dry indoor air
- Tobacco smoke and other irritants
- heavy use of the voice
- Allergies
- Heartburn and Acid Reflux
- Mouth Breathing When Your Nose Is Stuffed Up
- certain medications
Frequent or persistent sore throats should be evaluated by a doctor.
Sore throat or tonsillitis?
What helps with a sore throat?
Simple measures can moisturize irritated mucous membranes and relieve symptoms.
Drink enough fluids
- Water and unsweetened herbal teas help keep your mouth and throat moist. The drinks should be comfortably warm, but not too hot.
Sucking
- Lozenges or sugar-free candies stimulate saliva production. This helps keep the mucous membranes in the mouth and throat moist.
Take Care of Your Voice
- If you have a hoarse voice or experience pain when speaking, you should use your voice as little as possible. Whispering can put additional strain on your voice and isn't necessarily any gentler on it.
Keep Your Neck Warm
- A scarf or a warm neck wrap can be soothing. The warmth should be comfortable and not too intense.
Improve Indoor Air Quality
- Dry air from the heater can further irritate the mucous membranes. Regular ventilation and a comfortable room temperature can help.
Avoid irritants
- Tobacco smoke, alcohol, very spicy foods, dust, and strong odors can further irritate the throat.
Home Remedies for a Sore Throat
Gargle with herbal tea
Lukewarm sage or chamomile tea can be used for gargling. The liquid should not be too hot.
Drink herbal tea
Sage, chamomile, ribwort plantain, or thyme tea can be soothing. If you are sensitive to certain plants, you should choose a different type of tea.
Neck wrap
Warm or pleasantly cool neck compresses can soothe the throat. The ideal temperature varies from person to person.
Inhalation
Warm steam can moisturize dry airways. The water should not be too hot to avoid scalding.
Do antibiotics help with a sore throat?
Most acute sore throats are caused by viruses. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses and are therefore not appropriate for every sore throat. Antibiotics may be necessary in cases of a confirmed or medically suspected bacterial infection. A medical professional should determine whether such treatment is necessary.
Medicinal Plants for Sore Throats
Sage and red coneflower are particularly effective for treating symptoms in the mouth and throat.
Sage
Common sage (Salvia officinalis) is the main medicinal plant featured on this page. The aromatic sage leaves are used.
Sage is traditionally used to treat ailments of the mouth and throat. It can be used as a tea, a gargle, or as an ingredient in herbal medicines.
To the Plant Encyclopedia: Sage
Red Coneflower
Red coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is a traditional medicinal plant that is primarily used to treat colds and support the immune system.
In herbal remedies for sore throats, echinacea is combined with sage, among other ingredients.
Related Products
A.Vogel Sore Throat Spray
A.Vogel Sore Throat Spray is made from fresh flowering herbs and fresh roots of purple coneflower, as well as fresh sage leaves.
For the short-term treatment of acute inflammation of the mouth and throat caused by:
- Sore throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- A scratchy, burning sensation in the throat
- Hoarseness
For adults and teens ages 12 and up.
A.Vogel Sore Throat Tablets
A.Vogel sore throat tablets contain extracts from fresh echinacea herb and roots, as well as from fresh sage leaves.
For the short-term treatment of acute inflammation of the mouth and throat associated with:
- Sore throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- A scratchy, burning sensation in the throat
- Hoarseness
For adults and teens ages 12 and older.
These are approved medications. Read the package insert.
Sore Throats in Children
Young children often can't describe a sore throat in detail yet. Signs may include:
- Refusal to Eat or Drink
- Pain or crying when swallowing
- increased salivation
- red throat
- Fever
- swollen tonsils
- unusual fatigue
Medical advice should be sought for young children, cases of high fever, breathing difficulties, severe difficulty swallowing, or if you are unsure.
Lozenge are only appropriate once a child can safely suck on them without choking.
When should you see a doctor for a sore throat?
It is advisable to seek medical evaluation if:
- if the symptoms do not improve after a few days
- the sore throat gets much worse
- if you develop a high fever or a fever that lasts for a long time
- the tonsils are severely swollen or coated
- it is almost impossible to swallow
- the symptoms occur on one side only
- severe ear pain also occurs
- the lymph nodes are noticeably swollen
- a rash develops
- Frequent Sore Throats
- the symptoms last longer than two weeks
Immediate medical attention is necessary in the following cases:
- Shortness of breath
- significant swelling in the throat or tongue area
- Inability to swallow saliva
- Stiff neck or cramps
- Disturbances of consciousness
- a sudden, very severe feeling of illness