Will a Saltwater Gargle Help a Sore Throat?
Grace Trelease
| 2 min read
Key Takeaways
- Gargling saltwater can help relieve sore throat pain and inflammation, with a recommended mixture of 1/2 teaspoon of salt per cup of warm water.
- While saltwater gargling can provide relief, it does not shorten the duration of a sore throat, and results may vary depending on the severity of the pain and frequency of use.
- A sore throat is accompanied by severe symptoms such as extreme throat pain, trouble swallowing or breathing or fever could be a sign of a more serious condition such as strep throat.
When you have a sore throat, it can be uncomfortable to swallow or speak.
However, there are some at home remedies that can help ease the discomfort and irritation. One is gargling salt water. Learn more about the benefits that saltwater gargling has for your throat.
How does saltwater help a sore throat?
A sore throat, also known as pharyngitis, is inflammation or irritation of the throat, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The most common cause is a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu, and will often go away on its own with time. Another cause of a sore throat is a bacterial infection, such as streptococcal pharyngitis, also known as strep throat. This is less common and instead of going away on its own, you will likely need to be prescribed an antibiotic to resolve the issue. Other common causes of a sore throat include allergies, sleeping with your mouth open, postnasal drip and overuse.
When you have a sore throat, a common way to relieve some of the pain is to gargle saltwater. Adding one half teaspoon of salt per one cup of warm water and gargling it every three hours can reduce throat pain and inflammation, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Gargling saltwater has a different effect for everybody. Depending on the severity of the pain and how often you use saltwater, the results can vary. Saltwater can help relieve pain, but it does not shorten the duration of the sore throat, according to University of Utah Health. If this remedy is making your throat feel better, keep using it, but there is no promising it will heal your throat quicker.
When to see a doctor for a sore throat
In most cases, a saltwater gargle can help relieve some of the pain of a sore throat, but there may be situations where you will need to seek medical treatment. Viruses like the flu or a cold will go away with time and typically do not require a diagnosis or treatment.
However, strep throat is more serious. Strep throat requires a medical diagnosis and prescribed medication to treat. The time to seek medical assistance would be if you are experiencing:
- Extreme throat pain
- Trouble swallowing or breathing
- Fever
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Swollen neck glands
- Red tonsils with white spots
- Loss of appetite
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to your primary care provider for further assistance and treatment.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
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