Consumer group Which? and ENT experts say simple home remedies can be just as effective
At this time of year, sore throats are incredibly common. However, experts are urging people to avoid two popular remedies, warning they may simply be pointless. Consumer group Which? reports that some products marketed towards these very issues “aren’t always necessary.”
Their warning comes after they spoke to Professor Nirmal Kumar, a consultant ENT (ear, nose, and throat) surgeon and former president of ENT UK. They found that simple home remedies can be just as effective, with the professor saying: “You don’t need to buy expensive treatments when a few straightforward home remedies can help ease the symptoms.”
Many people reach for lozenges, which are readily available almost everywhere, but experts say “any hard sweet and a painkiller will also do the trick.” Another common go-to is antiseptic throat sprays, but the NHS notes there is “little proof they help when used on their own.” So, what should people try instead?
Which? suggest:
- Gargling with warm, salty water. This method is recommended by the NHS, which says it not only helps soothe a sore throat but also helps shorten its duration. Add half a teaspoon of salt to 150ml of warm water and gargle for 30 seconds, three times a day. This method is not advised for children.
- Paracetamol or ibuprofen. Professor Kumar says: “These will reduce the soreness and feeling of illness.” They’re particularly handy for painful or inflamed throats. Generic or budget versions of these painkillers work just as well as branded ones, which we discovered can cost nearly five times as much.
- Sweets and ice cream. You don’t have to seek out dedicated throat sweets. Professor Kumar says that sucking on a hard sweet also helps. It’s an effective way to increase saliva release and help lubricate your mouth. You can buy glycerin throat pastilles, but any hard sweet will do. Sucking on something cold, including ice cubes or an ice lolly, can also help by temporarily numbing the pain, as can eating ice cream. Obviously, try not to go overboard for the sake of your teeth and sugar intake.
- Honey and lemon drink. The NHS says this is a popular method for treating sore throats. As with the sweets, the honey can help to lubricate scratchy, sore throats. NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) advises drinking plenty of fluids, but does warn that hot drinks can exacerbate pain, so it’s best to opt for a warm drink instead.
Your sore throat should improve on its own, but if it doesn’t seem to be getting better, contact your GP. Which? cautions: “Most sore throats will get better on their own within a week or so. If your sore throat is the result of a viral infection, you can’t do much to actively get rid of it – it’s mainly about using the right sore throat remedies to ease the pain until your body fights it off. If it appears to be a bacterial infection, you’re unsure, or if your viral sore throat isn’t improving or is worsening, contact your GP, as you may need a targeted medication.”
The NHS advises seeing a GP if:
- your child aged under 5 years needs help for a sore throat
- you or your child’s sore throat does not improve after a week
- you often get a sore throat
- you have a sore throat and symptoms like a lump in your mouth or neck, or a mouth ulcer that lasts for more than 3 weeks
How to avoid a sore throat
You can’t always avoid getting a sore throat, but you can reduce the risk of spreading it by practising good hygiene. Try to:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose
- If soap and water aren’t available, use a hand sanitiser containing at least 60% alcoho
- Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
- Dispose of used tissues immediately
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