Avoid stuff like alcohol, caffeine, very spicy foods and acidic foods (like tomatoes and citrus). They are all potential irritants that should temporarily be avoided when dealing with a sore throat, De Santis, says. Also, skip crackers, crusty bread and other dry snack foods until your throat feels better, Osinga says.
Foods and drinks to avoid
These include: Crunchy, hard foods: Foods that are likely to have a lot of sharp edges, such as crackers, dry toast, nuts, or raw vegetables, can make a sore throat more uncomfortable. Citrus fruits and juices: Many people turn to orange juice when they have a cold as a source of vitamin C.
Drinking very cold ice water or sucking on something cold may seem counterintuitive, but cold can numb the throat. But don't choose cold orange juice or other acid-based liquids; they will only intensify the pain.
Carbonated drinks cause inflammation, so avoid the fizzy stuff while you have a sore throat. Similar to fried foods, drinks with a high sugar content weaken your immune system. The best course of action is to drink plenty of water instead.
A glass of cold milk or a few bites of frozen yogurt may soothe a sore throat. It also could help you get some nutrients and calories when you might not feel like eating, such as when you're sick. Julie Baughn, M.D.
Anything Citrus – Citrus fruits and juices are acidic meaning they can irritate a sore throat further. Hard Or Crunchy Foods – Dry toast, nuts and crackers all have sharp edges that could cause more pain to an already inflamed throat.
Some people swear by a folksy remedy of Coca-Cola as a sore throat healer. Others combine it with lemon and ginger for a sore throat. Still many say drinking soda while sick isn't a good idea because it can dehydrate at a time when more fluids are best.
Oranges are rich in vitamin C and have an acidic property. Due to this, orange juice can make a sore throat worse. In addition, they can irritate the soft surface of the throat. So, at the time of sore throat, limit the intake of citrus fruits or their juices.
The short answer is yes. Regardless of how you consume it, lemon helps to ease the pain of a sore throat – and there are many other health benefits of lemons, too. But how exactly do lemons soothe a sore throat? One key factor in lemons' powers of soothing is their high levels of citric acid.
Gargle with saltwater.
A saltwater gargle of 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon (1250 to 2500 milligrams) of table salt to 4 to 8 ounces (120 to 240 milliliters) of warm water can help soothe a sore throat. Children older than 6 and adults can gargle the solution and then spit it out.
Irritants. Outdoor air pollution and indoor pollution such as tobacco smoke or chemicals can cause a chronic sore throat. Chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol and eating spicy foods also can irritate your throat.
Sore throat can be a symptom of strep throat, the common cold, allergies, or other upper respiratory tract illness. Sore throat caused by a virus or the bacteria called group A Streptococcus can have similar symptoms. Sometimes the following symptoms suggest a virus is causing the illness instead of Strep throat: Cough.
Drinking hot/warm beverages can help soothe a sore throat. The steam from coffee can be comforting to some as well. However, drinking really hot coffee (or consuming really hot anything for that matter) can irritate an already-sore throat.
While coffee may have potential benefits for individuals with sore throat, it also has some drawbacks. Coffee can be dehydrating, which can exacerbate sore throat symptoms [4]. Caffeine is another component found in coffee that can cause throat irritation in some individuals.
Yogurt is a natural probiotic that can clear bacteria from your gut and protect your immune system. It's also soothing and easy to swallow when you have a sore throat. Make sure you buy yogurt without added sugars, as sugar can irritate your throat. Consider adding soft fruits to plain yogurt to boost its flavor.
Can Ice Cream Cure a Sore Throat? Sadly, no, ice cream will likely not cure what ails you — especially if your sore throat is caused by a bacterial or viral illness. However, cold and creamy foods like ice cream can help ease your pain.
You can spread the common cold from a few days before your symptoms appear until all of the symptoms are gone. Most people will be contagious for up to 2 weeks. Symptoms are usually worse during the first 2 to 3 days, and this is when you're most likely to spread the virus.
Sore throats are very common and usually nothing to worry about. They normally get better within a week. Most are caused by minor illnesses such as cold or flu and can be treated at home.
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is a preferred over-the-counter (OTC) medicine for treating a sore throat. But it may not be the safest choice for people with certain health conditions, like heart disease and kidney problems. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be a safer throat pain treatment for people who can't take ibuprofen.
“Hot [tasty] drinks have the best effect in soothing [a] sore throat.”
Some small studies showed carbonated water helped people clear their throat and swallow better. Three million Americans have dysphagia or trouble swallowing. Carbonated water could be beneficial for some of those patients, but consult your doctor first.
The fact is, banana is rich in vitamin C that is thought to prevent cold by boosting immunity. It is also rich in vitamin B6 and minerals like potassium and calcium. Being soft in nature, it is quite easy to swallow when you have a sore throat, so it's definitely a good option when you're sick.
Honey has a long history of being used as a natural remedy. And one remedy is to soothe sore throats and help alleviate a cough. “Research shows that honey has some antimicrobial and anti-inflammation properties. Honey can help by decreasing inflammation and irritation in your throat,” explains Dr.