Is your throat scratchy and sore? Is it painful to swallow? Strep throat can really bring you down. While it’s necessary to see a doctor eventually, there’s relief to be found at home. In this article, we will look at the best means to soothe the throat while waiting for medical help.
Understanding Strep Throat
The best thing to know is what strep throat is. How is it different from a regular sore throat? Why do you need a doctor’s visit to figure that out? Let’s have a look.
What Is Strep Throat?
Strep throat is a form of infection which occurs in the throat and tonsils. It occurs due to the species of bacteria known as streptococcus pyogenes.
Understanding Symptoms
How will you know that it is strep? Look for a really sore throat. Occasionally, you will see white spots or streaks in the tonsils. There’s also a headache, abdominal pain, or rash that some individuals experience.
Why Do You Need to See a Doctor?
You may think of grinning and bearing it. Necessarily, that is not what seeing a doctor is for. They can run tests to determine if it is strep. If it is, antibiotics are needed. The antibiotics speed up your recovery but safeguard against really severe conditions such as rheumatic fever. A quick test from a doctor can be all the difference between life and death.
Natural Remedies for Symptom Relief
So, antibiotics will take care of the infection, while natural remedies can help ease the symptoms. With those, you will be on the path to recovery. They won’t cure strep throat, but they will surely allow you to accept and bear it much better.
Warm Salt Water Gargles
The saltwater gargles will work wonders. The warm water will soothe your throat. Salt helps reduce the swelling and kills bacteria. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water. Repeat this several times throughout the day for relief.
Honey for Soothing
Honey straight away tastes like sweet medicine for your throat. It works two ways and has antibacterial powers. It coats and soothes irritated tissues and blends well with warm water or tea, then sipped slowly to relieve the sore throat. Honey is not for children under a year of age.
Herbal Teas and Lozenges
Drinking chamomile, ginger, and peppermint tea is going to aid you. They all alleviate the inflammation in the throat due to their calming properties. Lozenges can also be beneficial in providing only temporary relief, preferably the kind that contains menthol or benzocaine.
Soothe Food and Drinks
Food and drink intake will also affect your throat. Do down the easiest stringiest foods, and drink lots of fluids to help the internal healing process.
Soft Foods to Eat
Swallowing becomes difficult when your throat hurts. So go for soft foods like yogurt, applesauce, or mashed potatoes. You can include soups and smoothies. These foods are gentle in managing your throat and supply nutritional value. However, don’t take very spicy or acidic food.
Hydration is Vital
Drinking enough fluids is absolutely vital. Water keeps your throat moist and hydrated. Warm broths and herbal teas also serve well as comforters. Keep away from sugars as they can exacerbate inflammation.
Comfortably-Affected Environment
The environment around you makes recovery possible. It can promote healing and alleviate symptoms. What can you do to improve your air at home?
Humidifiers for Dry Air
If air is drying, it causes throat irritation. The humidifier puts moisture into the air. This makes throat irritation much less and breathing easier. Use a cool-mist humidifier in your bedroom. Clean it regularly to keep away mold.
Rest and Relaxation
Rest is vital in recovering from illness. Your body needs energy to fight off the infection. You need to rest without any form of strenuous exercise to gain sufficient sleep. Deep breathing or meditation are some of the things you might consider for relaxation. Most importantly, limit stress in your surroundings.
When to Visit a Doctor
These home cures might help you in relieving some symptoms. But it cannot act as a substitute for medical attention. So you need to know when to visit the hospital for strep throat. Early intervention is done to prevent some serious complications from developing.
Warning Signs to Look Out For
Look for a variety of signs. Breathing or swallowing difficulties are also grounds for immediate action. High fever, severe headache, and stiff neck are pointers leading towards immediate medical help. And if those signs worsen, despite home remedies, consult a physician.
Importance of Antibiotics
Strep throat is treatable with antibiotics. They kill the bacteria causing the infection. Complete use of antibiotics is critical. Because of this, reinfection is less likely, and complications like rheumatic fever are reduced.
Conclusion
Strep throat can give you very painful experiences. But if you have appropriate home remedies with you, then you can soothe your condition. Warm salt water gargles, honey, and soothing teas can help. These are just for symptom relief. For a professional diagnosis and antibiotics, you must carry on to cure the infection. Take care, seek the proper medical attention, and soon you’ll be feeling better.