As a parent, your child’s health is a primary cause of concern for you. When it comes to discomfort like throat pain, finding an effective yet gentle remedy becomes crucial. A child showing symptoms of throat pain such as difficulty in swallowing or itchiness may feel miserable and find it difficult to focus on his/her daily activities. In this blog, we’ll dive into several questions such as what is throat pain, what causes throat pain and what is the home remedy for throat pain.
What is Throat Pain?
Throat pain, medically known as pharyngitis, is a common condition among children, especially during colder months or when they’re exposed to viral or bacterial infections. Some of the frequent culprits include:
- Viral infections, such as the common cold or flu
- Bacterial infections like strep throat
- Allergies to pollens or irritants like smoke, dust, etc.
Soreness, scratchiness, or a raw sensation in the throat are some symptoms of it. Knowing the root cause of throat pain can help devise an effective treatment plan on how to cure throat pain.
How to Cure Throat Pain?
To cure throat pain it is essential to seek medical advice especially if symptoms persist or get worse. Depending on what causes throat pain, healthcare professionals may prescribe antibiotics for bacterial infections or recommend over-the-counter pain relievers to alleviate discomfort. Remember to follow your healthcare professional’s advice and complete the prescribed treatment to ensure complete recovery.
What is the Home Remedy for Throat Pain?
How to relieve throat pain at home, you ask? There are numerous simple yet effective ways to relieve throat pain at home, providing much-needed comfort to children. Here is a list of easily accessible home remedies for throat pain:
- Saltwater Gargles
- Honey
- Turmeric
- A pinch of turmeric powder mixed with a teaspoon of honey
- Lactose-tolerant children can have turmeric milk. Prepare this by adding half a teaspoon of turmeric and ground black pepper to a glass of boiling milk. Simmer for a few minutes on low heat. Serve this drink once it is warm to the child.
- Turmeric tea is extremely soothing for throat pain. Add a teaspoon of turmeric to a glass of boiling water. Once the water is half pour it into a cup, and add a few drops of lemon and some honey to this mix.
- Warm Broths and Herbal Teas
- Humidifier
- Avoiding Irritants
- Apple Cider Vinegar Gargles
- Steam Inhalation
- Get Adequate Rest
Saltwater gargles are an age-old remedy from our grandmothers’ kitchens. It is the most accessible and low-cost answer to the question ‘how to relieve throat pain at home’. Gargling with saltwater loosens mucus, reduces inflammation and kills bacteria in the throat. To prepare a salt water gargle, mix half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and have your child gargle with it several times a day.
A cup of warm water mixed with a few drops of lemon and a teaspoon of honey is a time-tested home remedy for throat pain. Honey alone is also an effective way to get relief from sore throat. The results of a study on children in the age group of 1-5 years found that taking up to 2 teaspoons of honey at bedtime can alleviate nighttime coughing and improve sleep quality.
However, one should avoid giving honey to infants below 1 year due to the risk of botulism.
Turmeric is a staple Indian spice that has several medicinal properties such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-fungal, and antiseptic to name a few. Your child can consume turmeric as a way to relieve throat pain in any one of the following ways that they find palatable:
Warm liquids like herbal teas are a natural way to get the required fluids in your child’s body. Chamomile tea is anti-inflammatory, aids digestion, and is caffeine-free, therefore children can have it in moderation. Peppermint tea prepared by steeping fresh peppermint leaves in boiling water for a few minutes is also caffeine-free, and reduces throat pain.
Homemade chicken broth or vegetable soups made with a clove of garlic and a small piece of ginger are nutrition rich ways to relax a sore throat.
Encourage your child to sip on these beverages throughout the day to keep their throat moist and comfortable.
Dry air can irritate respiratory passages and increase coughing. A cool mist humidifier increases the amount of moisture in the room, thereby soothing swollen tissues in the throat, and thinning out the mucus.
Exposure to irritants such as second-hand smoke, dust, pollen, and fumes from chemical cleaning agents and consuming spicy food can aggravate throat pain and soreness. Keep your child away from these as far as possible.
Apple cider vinegar’s antibacterial properties make it an apt choice for using it as a gargle. Mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with a cup of warm water and have your child gargle with it a few times a day to help alleviate soreness and kill bacteria in the throat.
Steam inhalation is a simple yet effective way to moisturize the throat and relieve discomfort. Have your child inhale steam from a bowl of hot water with a towel draped over their head, being cautious to avoid burns. Alternatively, consider using a steam inhaler designed specifically for this purpose.
Getting adequate rest is a key aspect of relieving throat pain. Make sure your child gets plenty of rest to support their body’s healing process. Keep their head in an elevated position to avoid heightened bouts of coughing.
When to Consult a Doctor?
Keep an eye out for symptoms that suggest the sore throat is worsening. This can include one or more of these:
- A hoarse or muffled voice
- Fever and chills
- Congested tonsils
- Rashes on the skin
- Tender swollen gland in the throat
- Swelling or pain in the neck
- Stiff neck
- Shortness of breath
- Drooling
- Swelling or pain in joints
Throat pain can be a distressing experience for children, but with the right approach, it can be managed effectively at home. Throat pain usually resolves on its own, however, it is important to reach out to your child’s healthcare provider if they are in pain and can’t get relief from the remedies given above.
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