OT: Need sore throat help!

[SalandJeff]

Sort of OT, but will save me money if I don't have to go to the doctor and get a script.

What is your best sore throat remedy? Not the scratchy sore throat, but the kind with the lump on your tonsils that hurts when you swallow (and no, I don't want to get my tonsils out )

 

[ShannonMB]

I gargle with salt water for a "regular" sore throat (ie, post-sinus drip or that scratchy one you were talking about). Not that anyone can diagnose you on a message board, but I'm afraid you might have strep throat and need an antibiotic. Are you ill otherwise? Fever?

 

[dawson5]

Someone posted a link on here before about those pustules that stick to the folds inside of your throat. There could be the possibility that it is something like that.

How long have you had the sore throat?

Worst sore throat I ever had was because of a sinus infection. My first one. Now I recognize when it's starting to happen and start taking something to dry up my sinuses to prevent it. Not sure if this is what you are dealing with though.

 

[rina900]

Salt water gargle and ibuprofen.

 

[debbiecarr98]

I gargle with salt water for a "regular" sore throat (ie, post-sinus drip or that scratchy one you were talking about). Not that anyone can diagnose you on a message board, but I'm afraid you might have strep throat and need an antibiotic. Are you ill otherwise? Fever?

Yes, I am afraid you really probably need to go to the Dr too. If you have strep, you dont want the kids to get sick too.

 

[Hannathy]

Keep it moist, drink a lot of fluids, suck on hard candy and yes it really does work and help eat chicken soup/broth.

Gargle with salt water, get rest so your body can fight the germs, take a vitamin (same theory as above) take an anti-inflammatory pain med -aspirin, or ibuprofen.

Unless it lasts for more than a few days or you run a high fever for a few days, IMO you don't need to go to the DR. most sore throats get better on there own,

 

[drcbpearce]

I agree w/the other posters, if it lasts more than a few days or you develop fever, do not pass go, do not collect $200, go straight to your dr b/c it could be an infection. But you can gargle with peroxide, yes peroxide, you mix 1/2 and 1/2 with water and gargle, and don't worry if you accidentally swallow a bit, it breaks down into hydrogen and water when it bubbles. You can also get an herbal tea called Throat Coat which is wonderful for sore throats. Stay on top of it. HTH

 

[elcodfish]

Gargle with whiskey, it really kills stuff and numbs the throat, swallowing a little can help too. My grandparents and parents did this and my doctor agrees

 

[apnep]

Agree with the other posters, it could be strep...my son actually had it a couple of weeks ago. However, in case it is NOT strep you can try:

• Neti pot to clean out your sinuses and the back of the throat.
• Gargling with hydrogen peroxide, (I know it's gross but it will clean out the tonsils)
• Cleaning the tonsils with a water pik.

Good luck and hope you feel better.


Ang

 

[Crystal0608]

My throat is sore right now too, but more of the sandpapery feel from all this pollen. I eat spoonfuls of honey that coats the back of my throat and am drinking lots of ice water. Benadryl, zyrtec, or claritin will help if it is allergy related.

If it is red or you run a fever with it I would try to get a generic script for antibiotics. Hope you feel better soon,

 

[victorandbellasmom]

I just had strep before the New Year and couldn't believe it was hurting to swallow again 3 months later. The type were it hurts to swallow so I was barely eating and drinking anything, sipping hot tea and gargling salty water at least 3 times a day. I finally went to the doctors's 3 says later and was diagnosed with strep again. Ugh! You might need to suck it up and just go to the doctor's. The antibiotics worked within 24 hours and I was able to eat and drink again without the pain. While waiting for the strep swab, the Dr. did say to take pain relievers in case it wasn't strep.

 

[Rosiekins]

I have had strep throat a zillion times and regular sore throats a zillion. Here is what I have learned from Doctors and nurses in the past (I am not a doctor just telling you what I have been told I am not a medical professional) Check the roof of your mouth for blue dots, they look kinda blue I think and they are more like little blotches they are often present when you have strep. The more cold symptoms you have the less likely it is you have strep throat. If you run a consistent fever for 2 days go in. Strep throat turns in to Scarlet Fever (I know I had it) and Rhumatic Fever and yes untreated it can kill you. If you think that is what it is go in. That said there are lots of sore throats that are not strep.

My sore throat helpers are Gargling salt water, Listerine and Peroxide (don't swallow) separately of course. Take a day to veg and relax on the sofa or in bed if you can, it works wonders. A spoonful of honey is amazing, it really helps relieve the pain. Luden's cough Drops. Sore Throat Spray and Ibuprofen. Avoid Dairy and high acid foods and eat lots of chicken soup.

Hope you feel better!

 

[Gigi22]

A mixture of hot tea and liquid honey, stirred well so that the honey is dissolved throughout the tea, is very soothing for the throat. You can make it as sweet as you like.
If you can see down your throat (use a magnifying glass and a mirror), and you see white marks on your throat--you should go to a dr. It could be strep.

 

[stsomewhere]

Gargle with whiskey, it really kills stuff and numbs the throat, swallowing a little can help too. My grandparents and parents did this and my doctor agrees

My pediatrician( He was about 80 yrs old and has retired now) told me this when my kids kept getting strep. He said that he could not recommend this. but, when his kids were young he gave them tea with brandy.

 

[princessmom29]

If you have pustules(white spots on the tonsils) you have an infection need need to go to the doctor. Please don't let it go. We habve a chidl at our school with permanent kidney damage from a strep nifection that got nito his bloodstream. It can be really bad left untreated!

 

[buckler]

Does it just hurt on one side? You actually might have something stuck in your tonsils. Some people have cryptic tonsils (like little pockets in the tonsils) and they can catch food particles or build up yucky stuff in them. My left side tonsil is like this. Invariably if I get a sore throat and swollen glands and get that feeling like I have something stuck in my throat, I can shine a light in my throat and see something trapped on my left tonsil. Once I get it out I start to feel better.

Yes, it's GROSS!

 

[cheerforchelsea]

This is going to sound horrible - but I promise it works. (my kids pediatrician recommended it years ago) Mix 1/2 water and 1/2 medical peroxide - and gargle with it several times (several times 4 or 5 times a day..It will "foam" just like when you clean a cut. I always have to finish off with using some mouthwash..... BUT IT WORKS!!!!

 

[SalandJeff]

Thanks to all for your suggestions...I will try them. I don't think it is strep throat. I don't have a fever. I have been having allergy/sinus issues (stuffy nose and headache), so I think it is related to that. If I don't get relief, I will go to the doctor.

 

[cats mom]

I've only used this one once, and I definitely found it to be nasty, so you've been warned. But I swear it worked for me when I was downright miserable with what I think was the worst sore throat I've ever had.

Add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to 1 cup very hot water, stir well and gargle. Repeat every 15 to 30 minutes as needed.

I found an explanation of why it might work on a naturopathic site:
This brings more circulation to the area and helps draw away the infection.

But personally I think it might just be because after enough cayenne pepper, you can't feel anything anyway... but when you're desperate, who cares.

Good Luck, I hope you find something that works for you. Feel Better!

 

[QVCshopper]

Lately, I've been getting hard brown mucus in my tonsils, which also causes a bad throat ache. It lasts about 10 days. I also have the tonsil stones that someone above mentioned, as does my DD5 (poor thing).

Anyway, do that Cayenne Pepper thing. I once had a sore throat so bad I couldn't even swallow and it really helped in about a day or so. Also drink tea to break up any mucus. Good luck!