We all are aware of the scratchy burning painful feeling of a sore throat. It badly affects our everyday chores like talking or gulping our food or merely even swallowing our saliva. Usually, strep throat can be cured within a day or two, and home remedies work best for it. Let’s understand in detail the symptoms and easy-to-follow home remedies for strep throat.
Strep throat is a common bacterial infection that can cause a sharp itching pain in your throat. It is mainly caused by group A streptococcus and hence the name of the infection. This pain can happen due to inflammation. It may be observed in persons of any age, although prevalence may be higher among children due to chances of multiple exposures. It is usually accompanied by fever or cold.
Symptoms may vary from person to person, some may face very severe symptoms and some may have mild symptoms. It is a contagious disease and mainly can spread through sneezing or coughing.
Sore throat is one of the common symptoms faced by children and even adults. Other moderate to severe symptoms include:
Usually, these symptoms may appear within 5 days of exposure to the bacteria and if treated immediately with medicines or home remedies, it can be cured within 2 to 3 days. These home remedies can help suppress the symptoms, let’s understand natural home remedies for strep throat:
Add ½ tsp of salt to 1 cup of warm water and gargle it first thing in the morning. Repeat this activity for at least 3 to 4 times in day. Gargling with salt water helps draw the liquid and the virus or bacteria on the surface and spiting later helps remove them.
This will help relieve the itchiness and the juice will help keep the area moist and lubricated which can ease a few of the symptoms like swallowing and nausea. Do not opt for this option in case you suffer from high blood sugar.
Ginger has been scientifically studied to help relieve sore throat by its anti-inflammatory action. It can also help improve the immune system to help fight infections like strep throat. Sip in ginger tea twice a day.
Choose soft cooked foods till your symptoms may ward-off. Include soft fruits and vegetables, milkshakes, smoothies, or soft meal preparation like khichdi, neer dosa, mashed potatoes, etc.
Avoid drinking acidic and pungent foods like orange juice, brinjals, cabbage, etc. these foods may give you that itchy feeling in your throat.
Apple Cider Vinegar is acidic and when used for gargling can help kill the harmful bacteria and help remove the phlegm from the throat. Mix 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in 1 cup of water and use it for gargling.
Strep Throat typically goes away with these home remedies within a week. However, we always recommend you consult your doctor before trying these home remedies for strep throat and combine it with the medicines. Since the infection is contagious always cover your mouth while sneezing and coughing and take complete good rest for 2 to 3 days.
Essential oils help reduce strep throat infection, like peppermint, lemon or thyme. Peppermint oil is a great essential oil for a sore throat. It reduces swelling in the throat, which is why it’s often used for the treatment of respiratory infections. It causes a cooling sensation and a calming effect on the body because it has menthol. Add 1-2 drops of peppermint oil to a glass of water or to your toothpaste to use it internally. For topical use, apply 1-2 drops to your throat, chest and temples.
Thyme oil supports the immune and respiratory systems, making it one of the best strep throat home remedies. A study conducted in 2011, published in Medicinal Chemistry involved testing thyme oil’s response to 120 strains of bacteria, taken from patients with infections of genitourinary tracts, oral cavity and respiratory. Results showed strong activity against all clinical strains. It also showed effectiveness to resist antibiotic-resistant strains. You can use thyme oil as a mouthwash by adding 2 drops to water and gargling.
To prevent the spread of infection further, establish minimum contact with others in order to stop the bacteria from spreading.
Give all the love and care to your gullet!
Read more about: 10 Best Types Of Teas to Relieve Your Cough And Cold
Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a health care professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
