How to treat a sore throat with saltwater

A sore throat can cause discomfort and sometimes lead to itching, difficulty swallowing, drinking, and speaking. It is often a sign of a viral or bacterial infection. The condition generally heals on its own within a few days to a week. While waiting for recovery, you can soothe your throat with saltwater.

Decide what to use for gargling. Most people opt for the simple method of stirring a teaspoon of table salt or sea salt into 240 ml of warm water. The salt helps draw water out of the swollen tissues, reducing inflammation. If you can tolerate the unpleasant taste, try adding a teaspoon of salt to a mixture of warm water and apple cider vinegar in a 1:1 ratio. Though not fully explained, apple cider vinegar is believed to soothe a sore throat more effectively than other vinegars. It is thought that the acid in vinegar kills bacteria. Additionally, you can add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to the saltwater mixture.

Add honey or lemon juice to improve the flavor. Honey has antibacterial properties that help combat infections. In addition, honey soothes a sore throat and improves the discomfort when using vinegar or baking soda for treatment. Lemons contain vitamin C that boosts the immune system and also have antibacterial and antiviral properties.

• Avoid giving honey to children under 2 years old. Young children are at risk of botulism, which can result from bacterial contamination in honey.

Gargle properly. Both children and adults can treat a sore throat by gargling. However, you need to make sure children spit out the water after gargling instead of swallowing it. If a child accidentally swallows it, make sure they drink a full glass of water.

• Let children gargle with small sips of water.
• Test your child’s ability to gargle with clean water before using saltwater.
• Pour the saltwater mixture into the mouth and tilt the head back. Say “A” to create a vibration in the throat. Gargle for 30 seconds.
• You will feel the gargle move around due to the vibration, similar to the sensation of water bubbling in the back of your throat.
• Do not swallow the gargle. Spit it out and rinse the mouth thoroughly.

Gargle regularly throughout the day. Depending on the type of gargle solution used, you should gargle more or less often.

• Saltwater: every hour
• Saltwater and apple cider vinegar: every hour
• Saltwater and baking soda: every two hours

Make a saltwater solution. Making a throat-soothing mouth spray is simple and inexpensive. You only need 1/4 cup of filtered water and 1/2 teaspoon of table salt or sea salt. The water should be warm when mixing to ensure the salt dissolves evenly.

Add essential oils. A simple saltwater solution can help soothe your throat, but essential oils will speed up the healing process. Just add a few drops of essential oil to your saltwater mixture. Only two drops of the following oils can help alleviate pain and fight the causes of a sore throat:

• Peppermint oil (pain relief)
• Eucalyptus oil (antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory)
• Thyme oil (antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory)

Pour all the ingredients into a spray bottle. A 30-60 ml glass spray bottle is ideal. This size is small enough to carry around with you throughout the day. You can use it at home or take it with you on the go.

Use the spray bottle when needed. When your throat hurts, spray the solution into your throat. Open your mouth wide and aim the spray nozzle toward the back of your throat. Spray 1-2 times to relieve the irritation.

Take antibiotics to treat bacterial infections. Unlike viral infections, bacterial infections respond to antibiotics. If your doctor diagnoses a bacterial infection, ask about taking antibiotics. Be sure to follow the prescription and finish the full course. Stopping antibiotics prematurely, even if you start feeling better, can increase the risk of complications or reinfection.

• Eat yogurt containing live probiotics while on antibiotics. Antibiotics kill both harmful and beneficial bacteria in your gut. Eating probiotic-rich yogurt will help restore the beneficial bacteria in your intestines, assisting your body in fighting infections.

Stay hydrated. Drinking water helps to maintain moisture in the skin around the throat and replenishes the body’s water levels. This can ease tissue irritation. Aim for 8-10 cups of water a day, each cup being 240 ml. You can also keep your throat hydrated by increasing the humidity in the air, especially if you live in a dry environment. Consider purchasing a humidifier or placing a bowl of water in your room.

Eat soft, easy-to-swallow foods. Broths or soups are not only easy to swallow but have also been shown to improve immune response. This works by slowing down immune cell movement, allowing them to function more effectively. To add variety to your meals, try incorporating soft, easy-to-swallow foods such as:

• Applesauce
• Cooked pasta or rice
• Scrambled eggs
• Oatmeal
• Smoothies
• Cooked lentils

Avoid foods that irritate your throat. Stay away from spicy foods as they can exacerbate throat pain. The term 'spicy' covers a wide range of foods; you might think that ingredients like chili peppers or garlic aren’t spicy, but they can still trigger discomfort. Additionally, avoid sticky foods such as peanut butter or tough foods like toasted bread or crackers. Also, limit acidic drinks like soda or citrus juice until your sore throat heals.

Chew your food properly. Cut hard foods into small pieces and chew them thoroughly. The act of chewing gives your saliva time to break down the food, making it easier to swallow. If swallowing is difficult, you can puree harder foods like beans or cooked carrots.

Recognizing sore throat symptoms. The most persistent symptom is throat pain, which may worsen when swallowing or speaking. Additional signs include a dry, itchy feeling, hoarseness, or a voice that sounds constricted. Some individuals may experience swelling in the neck or jaw area. If you have not had your tonsils removed, they may become swollen or red, and there could be white spots or pus on them.

Identifying other signs of bacterial infection. Most sore throat cases are caused by viral or bacterial infections. Therefore, it is important to recognize the symptoms that accompany a sore throat, including:

• Fever
• Chills
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Body aches
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting

Considering medical diagnosis. Most sore throats will resolve within a few days to a week with home care. However, if the pain becomes severe or persists, a visit to the doctor is necessary for a thorough examination. The doctor will inspect your throat, listen to your breathing, and take a sample from the throat to perform a rapid strep test. Although the swab does not cause pain, it may cause slight discomfort due to the gag reflex. The sample will be sent to the lab to identify the cause of the sore throat. Once the virus or bacteria is identified, the doctor will provide treatment advice.

• Medications for bacterial sore throats include penicillin, amoxicillin, and ampicillin.
• The doctor may also recommend a full blood test or allergy test.

Recognizing when immediate medical care is needed. Most sore throat cases are not serious. However, children should see a doctor if their sore throat persists after home remedies, like drinking water in the morning. Call a doctor immediately if a child has difficulty breathing or swallowing. Unusual nasal discharge accompanying a sore throat also warrants prompt medical attention. Adults can generally determine if medical care is necessary. You may wait a few days, but seek care right away if you experience:

• Sore throat lasting more than a week or worsening
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty opening your mouth or jaw pain
• Joint pain, especially in areas that have never been sore before
• Ear pain
• Rash
• Fever over 38°C
• Blood in saliva or mucus
• Frequent sore throat
• Lump in the neck
• Hoarseness lasting more than two weeks

• Complete the entire course of medication as prescribed by your doctor and follow their guidance, if necessary.
• Most patients may experience some relief from a sore throat by drinking warm liquids, although the effectiveness of this method is not scientifically proven. You can also try drinking warm or cold tea if it helps alleviate the pain. Ice water can also be quite beneficial, especially if you have a fever.

• It is recommended to see a doctor if the pain does not improve after 2-3 days.
• Honey should not be given to children under 2 years old. Although rare, young children are at a higher risk of food poisoning from bacterial contamination, as honey often contains bacterial spores, and the immune system of infants is not fully developed.