When you wake up in the morning and feel a scratchy feeling in your throat, you most likely have a sore throat. This can either be caused by something you ate last night or it could be the flu. Either way, the best solution is to drink lots of fluids and take some over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
How to cure a dry throat
- Gargle with warm water and salt – This is a simple and effective home remedy for a dry throat. Gargling with warm water can help to loosen mucus and reduce inflammation. Adding salt to the water can help to kill bacteria and soothe the throat.
- Drink plenty of fluids – Drinking lots of fluids is important when you have a dry throat. It helps to keep your throat moist and prevents dehydration. Fluids also help to thin mucus, making it easier to cough up. Water, juice, and herbal tea are all good options.
- Use a humidifier – A humidifier can help to add moisture to the air, which can be beneficial for a dry throat. Dry air can make throat symptoms worse. Adding moisture to the air can help to loosen mucus, reduce inflammation, and soothe the throat.
- Avoid irritants – There are many things that can irritate a dry throat. These include smoke, dust, pollen, and chemicals. Avoiding these irritants can help to reduce symptoms.
What are the causes of a dry throat?
A dry throat is often caused by dehydration, which can happen when you’re not drinking enough fluids. Other causes of a dry throat include mouth breathers, allergies, smoking, and certain medications.
Dehydration is the most common cause of a dry throat. When your body is dehydrated, it doesn’t produce enough saliva to keep your mouth moist. This can lead to a feeling of thirst and a dry, scratchy throat.
Mouth breathers are also susceptible to a dry throat. When you breathe through your mouth, the air you inhale is very dry. This can cause the tissues in your throat to become dried out and irritated.
Allergies can also cause a dry throat. If you have allergies, your nose may be constantly congested. This can cause you to breathe through your mouth, which can lead to a dry throat.
Smoking is another common cause of a dry throat. Cigarette smoke contains numerous chemicals that can irritate and drying out the tissues in your throat.
Certain medications can also cause a dry throat. These include antihistamines, decongestants, and some blood pressure medications. If you’re taking any of these medications or have allergies, it might be causing your dry throat as well.
Dry mouth and a chronic cough can also cause a sensation of having a dry throat. The reason for this is that the glands in your throat are trying to clear out excess mucus from your respiratory tract. To do this, they produce extra saliva to help wash away the excess mucus.
However, if you’re already experiencing a dry mouth, the liquid swallowed won’t be enough to keep your throat lubricated and comfortable. Stress can also contribute to feeling like you have a dry throat. When you’re stressed out, one of the ways your body keeps itself calm is by reducing saliva production.
How can you treat a dry throat with home remedies?
There are a few things you can do at home to help relieve the symptoms of a dry throat.
One of the best things you can do is drink plenty of fluids. This will help to keep your throat moist and prevent it from drying out. Try to drink lots of water, herbal tea, or warm soup. You can also suck on ice chips or hard candy to help moisturize your throat.
Another home remedy for a dry throat is to use a humidifier. This will add moisture to the air in your home and help to keep your throat from drying out. Just be sure to clean your humidifier regularly to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria.
You can also try Gargling warm salt water. This will help to soothe your throat and reduce inflammation. Just mix 1 teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water and gargle for 30 seconds. Spit the solution out afterwards.
If your dry throat is due to allergies, you can try taking an over-the-counter antihistamine medication. This will help to relieve the symptoms of allergies and allow you to breathe more easily.
Finally, try avoiding things that can make your dry throat worse. This includes smoking, drinking alcohol and coffee, and eating spicy foods. These can all cause irritation in your throat.
A list of 4 home remedies to cure a sore throat
- Gargle with warm salt water: This is a very effective and simple home remedy for a sore throat. Just mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and gargle with it. Do this several times a day for best results.
- Drink plenty of fluids: This will help to keep your throat moist and will also help to flush out toxins from your body. Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water or other fluids like herbal tea, juices, etc., throughout the day.
- Honey and lemon: Honey has antibacterial properties that can help to kill the bacteria causing your sore throat. Just mix 1 tablespoon each of honey and lemon juice in a glass of warm water and drink it 3-4 times a day.
- Steam inhalation: This is a very effective way to reduce the inflammation in your throat and also loosen the mucus. Just add some boiling water to a bowl and add a few drops of eucalyptus oil or peppermint oil to it. Cover your head with a towel and inhale the steam for 5-10 minutes.
