This blog explains the homeopathy for sore throat, its causes, symptoms, risk factors, management & best medicines.
Sore throat or pharyngitis is typically characterized by pain in the throat, scratchiness, or irritation of the throat that often worsens on swallowing.
Sore throat (pharyngitis) is often caused by a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu, this viral sore throat resolves on its own most of the time in a weak to 10 days.
Streptococcal sore throat (streptococcal infection) which is a less common type of sore throat caused by bacteria, requires treatment with antibiotics to prevent any complications.
Another less common type of sore throat is usually a complicated form that requires complex treatment, depending upon the severity of the infection.
Sore Throat Causes
It is viruses that cause the common sore throats along with cold and the flu.
Bacterial infections causing sore throats are very rare or less common.
Viral infections
Viral affections that cause a sore throat include:
- Common cold
- Chickenpox
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- Common Croup — a common childhood illness characterized by a harsh, barking cough
- Mononucleosis
- Measles
- Viral influenza
Bacterial infections
- Many bacterias can cause a sore throat due to bacterial infection most commonly it is group A Streptococcus which causes streptococcal sore throat.
Other causes
Other causes of a sore throat include:
Allergens
Allergies to dust, pet dander, molds, and pollen can cause a sore throat. This allergic problem may be complicated further by postnasal drip, which can irritate and inflame the throat.
Dryness of throat
Dry indoor air can make your throat feel rough and scratchy. Breathing through your mouth that occurs because of chronic nasal congestion can also cause a dry, sore throat.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
In this disease condition of GERD, the stomach acids back up in the food pipe (esophagus) and irritate the throat.
A few more signs or symptoms the patient has are heartburn, regurgitation of stomach contents, and a feeling of a lump in your throat with hoarseness of voice.
HIV infection
A sore throat along with flu-like symptoms occurs in persons during the early stages of infection with HIV.
In HIV-positive persons, there is a chronic or recurring sore throat, as the immune system is at fault this leads to a fungal infection called oral thrush, they can also get frequent mouth infections due to a viral infection called cytomegalovirus (CMV), these infections are serious in persons whose immune system is compromised.
Irritants
Longtime exposure to outdoor air pollution and indoor pollution such as tobacco smoke or chemicals can cause a chronic sore throat.
Habits like alcohol intake, chewing tobacco, and eating spicy foods also can irritate your throat.
Muscle strain
If one strains muscles in the throat by yelling, talking loudly, or talking for long periods without rest, it can cause a sore throat.
Tumors
Various forms of tumors in the throat like cancerous tumors of the throat, voice box -larynx, or tongue can cause a sore throat in some persons.
Few other symptoms may include difficulty swallowing, a lump in the neck, blood in saliva or phlegm, hoarseness of voice, and noisy breathing.
Sore Throat Symptoms
There are various symptoms of sore throat, they vary according to the cause.
The signs and symptoms are:
- The person has hoarseness or a muffled voice
- There is difficulty in swallowing food and drinks
- There is pain or scratchy sensation in the throat
- There is a pain in the throat on swallowing or on talking
- The glands in your neck or jaw can become sore or swollen
- There is redness and swelling of the tonsils
- At times the tonsils may have white patches or pus
If sore throat is due to infections it may manifest other signs and symptoms, which include:
- Body pains
- Mild Cough
- Slight Headache
- Fever
- The sensation of Nausea or vomiting
- Runny nose
- Frequent Sneezing
Risk Factors for Sore Throat
Anyone can get a sore throat, but some factors will lead to early affection of sore throat they are as follows
- Age:- Children ages 3 to 15 years and teens are most likely to develop sore throats, streptococcal sore throat, is the most common bacterial infection associated with a sore throat.
- Exposure to tobacco smoke:-Certain habits like smoking and secondhand smoke many times irritates the throat. The frequent use of tobacco products also causes an increase in the risk of cancers related to mouth, throat, and voice box.
- Allergens:-Seasonal allergens, pollens, or any other causative allergic reactions that occur due to dust, molds, or pet dander can lead to the development of a sore throat.
- Exposure to chemical irritants:-Various particles in the air that occur from the burning of fossil fuels and common household chemicals can lead to throat irritation and further develops into a sore throat.
- Sinus infections:- Persons with sinusitis usually tend to have drainage from their nose can lead to irritation in the throat or spread of infection.
- Small gatherings:-Viral and bacterial infections are observed to spread easily anywhere people gather, it can be in child care centers, classrooms, offices, or airplanes.
- Compromised immunity:-People are more likely to get infected if their resistance is low, some of the diseases that cause lowering of resistance are HIV, diabetes, poor diet, fatigue, treatment with steroids or chemotherapy drugs, and stress.
Diagnosis of Sore Throat
Your doctor will observe and consider the details of your medical history, they will conduct a physical examination as follows.
- The doctor will use a light focusing instrument to have a look at the throat, and also inspect the ears and nasal passages
- Examination of the neck region to check for any swelling in the lymph glands or nodes
- Listening to the breathing sounds with a stethoscope
Throat Swab
In the majority of cases, doctors will use a simple test to detect a streptococcal bacterial infection, which is the common cause of streptococcal sore throat.
The doctor will rub a sterile swab over the circular area of the throat to get a sample of secretions and sends the sample to a lab for testing and result.
Most of the clinics are equipped with a laboratory that can give a test result for a rapid antigen test within a few minutes.
There is a second reliable test, called throat culture, in which the sample is sent to a laboratory that gets the results within done in 24 to 48 hours.
In a few cases, doctors may use a molecular test to detect streptococcal bacterial infection.
In this test, a doctor swipes a sterile swab over the back of the throat to get a sample of secretions. The sample is tested in a laboratory.
You may get accurate results within a few minutes.
Sore Throat Management
Treatment
On average a common viral infection usually lasts for 5-7 days and rarely any medication is required.
Antibiotic treatment is of no help in treating a viral infection causing a sore throat.
To reduce body pain and fever, doctors usually prescribe acetaminophen (Tylenol) or mild pain relievers.
One can give their child for tome till visiting the doctor, over-the-counter pain medications designed for infants or children, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, Advil, and Children’s Motrin, can be given to reduce the intensity of the symptoms.
Treating bacterial infections
If sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics.
One must take the full course of antibiotics as prescribed by the doctor even if the symptoms are gone.
If one doesn’t take all of the medication as directed it can result in the infection getting worse or it can spread to other parts of the body.
If one does not complete the full course of antibiotics for treatment of streptococcal throat infection, it can lead to rheumatic fever or some serious kidney inflammation.
One should talk to a doctor or pharmacist about what is to be done if one forgets a dose of medication.
Other treatments
If one has a sore throat as a symptom of a condition other than a bacterial or viral infection, then treatment of those diseases will be considered depending on the diagnosis.
Precautions
A sore throat can be well prevented or will respond to treatment early when one follows a few guidelines for its prevention like
- Washing hands:- Inculcating habits like thoroughly and frequently washing hands for 20 seconds, mainly after using the toilet, after sneezing, or coughing before and after eating.
- Touching the face frequently should be avoided:-One should avoid the habit of touching the eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Sharing food, drinking glasses or utensils should be minimized.
- Cough or sneeze habits should be reduced, one should use a tissue and throw it away, and wash hands.
Whenever it is necessary, sneeze into your elbow.
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizers should be used as an alternative to washing hands when soap and water aren’t available.
- Touching public phones should be avoided or drinking fountains with your mouth when out for trips or traveling.
- Frequent cleaning and disinfecting of phones, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, and computer keyboards should be followed.
During travel, clean the phones and remotes in your hotel room.
- Close contact with people who are sick or have symptoms of illness should be minimized.
Homeopathy for Sore Throat – 12 Best Medicines
1.Belladonna: For sore throat due to viral infection
Belladonna is the best remedy for throat infections due to viruses.
Belladonna is indicated for dryness and brightness of the throat with a glazed appearance, the fauces are inflamed.
It is of aid when there is tonsillitis, swollen and red tonsils with white patches inside your throat, and difficulties in swallowing.
30Ch Potency is useful,4globules 3 times a day.
Potency can be increased depending on the symptoms and susceptibility of the individual case.
2. Hepar Sulph: For sharp splinter like pain in the throat
If there is a splinter-like sensation in the throat along with soreness and a sensation of a lump in the throat, then Homeopathic medicine Hepar Sulph can be very beneficial in treating the symptoms.
It is indicated in the sore throat with suppurative tonsillitis and retro-pharyngeal abscess in the throat.
Potency and dosage
30Ch Potency is useful,4globules 3 times a day.
Potency can be increased depending on the symptoms and susceptibility of the individual case.
3.Mercurius:-For sore throat with swelling of glands externally
Symptoms
Mercurius is a great remedy for sore throat, the patient is obliged to swallow with soreness and swelling of the glands externally.
The throat is raw and there is burning redness and very offensive breath in the mouth.
It is indicated in sub-acute throat inflammation with every change of weather.
30Ch Potency is useful,4globules 3 times a day.
Potency can be increased depending on the symptoms and susceptibility of the individual case.
4.Lachesis:-For sore throat with the sensation of a lump in the throat
Symptoms
Lachesis is one of the best remedies to treat sore throat with difficulty in swallowing fluids.
It is indicated for chronic tonsillitis causing sore throat, constriction in the throat, and difficult breathing, empty swallowing is painful.
Potency and dosage
30Ch Potency is useful,4globules 3 times a day.
200Ch Potency is also useful and should be repeated every 15 days at the interval.
Potency can be increased depending on the symptoms and susceptibility of the individual case.
5. Ignatia-For sore throat with the sensation of a plug in the throat
Symptoms
Ignatia is one of the best remedies to treat sore throat with difficulty in swallowing with the sensation of a plug-in throat. Symptoms are worse when not swallowing.
It is indicated for acute and chronic tonsillitis causing sore throat with nervous symptoms and marked prostration.
Potency and dosage
30Ch Potency is useful,4globules 3 times a day.
200Ch Potency is also useful and should be repeated every 15 days at the interval.
Potency can be increased depending on the symptoms and susceptibility of the individual case.
6. Bryonia-For sore throat with cough
Symptoms
Bryonia is one of the best remedies to treat sore throat with dry cough and thirst aggravation from movement,the patient cannot tolerate slight action of deglutition.
It is indicated for sore throat with nausea vomiting and severe headache.
Potency and dosage
30Ch Potency is useful,4globules 3 times a day.
200Ch Potency is also useful and should be repeated every 15 days at the interval.
Potency can be increased depending on the symptoms and susceptibility of the individual case.
7. Arsenicum Album-For sore throat with a common cold
Symptoms
Arsenicum Album is one of the best remedies to treat sore throat with common cold symptoms.
It is indicated for sore throat with thin, watery nasal discharge, along with debility, weakness, and restlessness.
There is diarrhea on beginning to eat or drink.
Potency and dosage
30Ch Potency is useful,4globules 3 times a day.
200Ch Potency is also useful and should be repeated every 15 days at the interval.
Potency can be increased depending on the symptoms and susceptibility of the individual case.
8 .Pulsatilla:-For sore throat with dryness and thirstlessness
Symptoms
Pulsatilla is a wonderful remedy to treat sore throat when the fauces is dark red and purplish and has an appearance of a varicose condition of the blood vessels.
It is indicated for sore throat with dryness in the throat without thirst. There is a sensation of scraping, rawness, and sticking in the throat.
Sore throat from eating oily and spicy food, with intense changeability of pain in the throat.
Potency and dosage
30Ch Potency is useful,4globules 3 times a day.
200Ch Potency is also useful and should be repeated every 15 days at the interval.
Potency can be increased depending on the symptoms and susceptibility of the individual case.
9.Cantharis:-For spasms in the throat and intense constriction
Symptoms
Cantharis is a great remedy to treat sore throat when the throat is highly inflamed and covered with a plastic-like coating, there are spasms in the throat with a feeling of intense constriction.
It is indicated when the throat feels as if on fire, the pains seem to be at the back of the throat, it is useful when the throat is inflamed and burning.
Potency and dosage
30Ch Potency is useful,4globules 3 times a day.
200Ch Potency is also useful and should be repeated every 15 days at the interval.
Potency can be increased depending on the symptoms and susceptibility of the individual case.
10.Capsicum:-For sore throat from eating or drinking cold
Capsicum is a great remedy to treat the sore throat of smokers and drinkers, with burning and relaxed uvula, the throat is inflamed and contracted even when not swallowing.
It is indicated for sore throat with fauces that are dark red along with excessive smarting and burning.
Sore throat from eating or drinking cold food.
Potency and dosage
30Ch Potency is useful,4globules 3 times a day.
200Ch Potency is also useful and should be repeated every 15 days at the interval.
Potency can be increased depending on the symptoms and susceptibility of the individual case.
11. Nux Vomica:-For sore throat due to a sedentary lifestyle
Nux Vomica is a great remedy to treat sore throat of smokers and drinkers, and preachers, there is a follicular rawness and scraping in the throat which usually occurs by irritation from tobacco smoke, liquors, or overuse of voice.
It is indicated for sore throat with chronic pharyngitis and there may be atrophic white patches in the throat.
Sore throat with extreme sensitiveness in the sternal region and there is a dry cough.
Potency and dosage
30Ch Potency is useful,4globules 3 times a day.
200Ch Potency is also useful and should be repeated every 15 days at the interval.
Potency can be increased depending on the symptoms and susceptibility of the individual case.
12. Baryta Carbonica:-For sore throat due to enlarged tonsils
Baryta Carbonica is a great remedy to treat sore throat in children who suffer from frequent tonsils infection and it leads to enlarged tonsils and sore throat.
It is indicated for sore throat with acute tonsillitis, it’s efficient to use it in cases when the cold settles in glands of the throat. Children for whom Baryta Carb is indicated are backward and bashful.
Potency and dosage
30Ch Potency is useful,4globules 3 times a day.
200Ch Potency is also useful and should be repeated every 15 days at the interval.
Potency can be increased depending on the symptoms and susceptibility of the individual case.
Remember that homeopathic remedies should be prescribed based on individual symptoms and characteristics. It’s crucial to consult with a qualified homeopath for proper evaluation and personalized treatment. Homeopathy focuses on treating the whole person, so a detailed case study is necessary to select the most appropriate remedy.
Homeopathic medicines should be taken only when prescribed by a homeopathic physician. Self-medication may aggravate the original conditions.