Both hot and cold can be good for a sore throat; warm liquids like tea soothe and hydrate, while cold items like popsicles can numb pain and reduce inflammation, so the best choice depends on personal preference, with many finding relief in both or a mix, alongside remedies like salt water gargles and rest.
Cold food helps reduce inflammation and swelling in your throat. It also reduces pain and discomfort. Eating cold foods may be helpful if you have trouble swallowing or breathing through your mouth. Meanwhile, warm drinks promote salivation and lubricate the throat.
Self care
Both cold and warm fluids can help relieve a sore throat. Very cold drinks can help dull some of the pain and inflammation. But if cold drinks aren't your thing, try a warm, soothing beverage. Just make sure the liquid isn't too hot, since this can burn your throat (and worsen the discomfort).
For a pregnancy-safe sore throat, focus on hydration, rest, and home remedies like gargling with warm salt water, sipping honey and lemon tea, and using lozenges with local anesthetics (like benzocaine) or antiseptics (like menthol). Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) are generally safe, but always consult your doctor before taking any medication, avoiding NSAIDs like ibuprofen and decongestants in the first trimester.
You may take: Cough drops (throat lozenges), such as Halls, Ricola or Cepacol. Guaifenesin (Mucinex, plain Robitussin) for a dry cough. Afrin nasal spray.
How to sleep with sore throats
Avoid alcohol and caffeine
Alcohol and caffeinated drinks like coffee are diuretics, meaning that they can potentially dehydrate you. As a result, your throat may become irritated and eventually sore. Consider abstaining from these drinks or opting for drinks with a lower alcohol or caffeine content.
Pharyngitis may start with a raspy feeling in your throat, as if your throat is dry. If your sore throat gets worse, you may feel a sharp pain in your throat when you swallow or talk. You may feel the pain in your ears or down the side of your neck.
Signs and symptoms of strep throat can include:
To quickly soothe a sore throat, drink warm liquids like honey lemon tea, chamomile, or broth, which coat and calm irritation, or try cold drinks/popsicles to numb the pain and reduce inflammation, with warm saltwater gargles (for adults/older kids) also offering fast relief by breaking down secretions and killing bacteria.
Stage 1 of a sore throat, often the start of a cold or flu, involves early symptoms like a tickle, scratchiness, or mild pain in the throat, possibly with sneezing, usually appearing 1-3 days after infection, and can be managed with rest, fluids, saltwater gargles, and OTC pain relievers, but see a doctor if it's severe, lasts over a week, or comes with a high fever or trouble breathing.
Gargling with salt water: Salt water may decrease inflammation and make swallowing less painful. Mix 8 ounces (oz) of warm water with 1 teaspoon (tsp) of salt and gargle this solution several times a day. Sipping warm drinks: Warm drinks, such as herbal tea, may help decrease pain.
How to treat a sore throat yourself
Cold remedies that work
Some beverages, such as carbonated drinks, caffeinated beverages, or those high in sugar, may actually exacerbate throat irritation. It's advisable to choose cold drinks that are gentle on the throat and avoid those that could potentially irritate or dry out the throat further.
A viral sore throat often comes with cold symptoms like a cough, runny nose, and hoarseness, while a bacterial one (strep throat) usually hits suddenly with severe pain, high fever, no cough, and white spots/pus on tonsils, but only a doctor's test (strep test) can confirm, as symptoms overlap and look similar.
Yes, sore throat and COVID are still closely associated, and a painful throat is often one of the first symptoms. However, COVID-19 is certainly not the only cause of sore throat, and it's not typically the primary complaint of people with COVID.
Irritants in outdoor and indoor air, also called air pollution, can cause an ongoing sore throat. These include tobacco smoke, chemicals and dust, pollen, and mold. Chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol and eating spicy foods also can irritate the throat.
Citrus fruits and berries
Citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, contain high levels of flavonoids and vitamin C. These decrease inflammation and boost immunity, which may help to fight a fever.
“But while a cold, bubbly soda might sound nice when your stomach is churning or your throat is aching, in general, carbonated, sugary soft drinks have little to none of the nutrients or electrolytes our bodies need to fight off sickness.”
Studies show that people who don't get adequate sleep when fighting an infection take longer to recover and may develop more severe symptoms. Sleeping 7-9 hours might maintain health when you're well, but recovery often requires additional rest throughout the day.
Sore Throat Relief
What is Streptococcal sore throat (strep throat)?