How to Stop a Scratchy Throat

Whether a cold in the dead of winter, or spring allergies, a scratchy and sore throat wilts the stamina in the most energetic individuals. When subjected to post-nasal drip or other irritants, the tender surface of your throat becomes red and inflamed, and it's painful to swallow. Relieving a scratchy throat involves keeping the surface coated with soothing liquids and staying away from foreign substances that aggravate throat passages.

Things You'll Need

• Glass
• Salt
• Spoon
• Tea
• Honey
• Hard candy or throat lozenge
• Over-the-counter pain medication
• Vaporizer or humidifier
• Neck scarf

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Instructions

• 1

  Fill a glass half-full with warm water. Stir in 1/2 tsp. salt. Gargle the salt water and rinse mouth with cool water when finished. Avoid swallowing the salt water as it could upset your stomach.

• 2

  Pour 1 tsp. honey into warm tea and stir. Sip the tea, allowing the warmth to soothe and the honey to coat your throat.

• 3

  Pop a hard candy or throat lozenge into your mouth. The lozenge or candy coats the tender lining of a scratchy throat.

• 4

  Take an over-the-counter pain medication. The medicine reduces throat pain for a short time. Take the medicine only as directed.

• 5

  Run a vaporizer or humidifier at night in the bedroom. The humidifier or vaporizer emits moisture into the air, keeping dry air from further irritating your throat.

• 6

  Avoid smoke-filled areas or stop smoking. Smoke irritates the throat, worsens pain and prohibits healing.

• 7

  Wear a scarf around the neck and over your mouth and nose when out in blustery weather to filter the cold as you breathe in winter air.