Inflamed Throat: How to Get Effective Relief

There’s nothing worse than waking up to that dreaded scratchy feeling in your throat. It’s uncomfortable, makes swallowing painful, and interrupts your ability to focus on just about anything. Whether it's inflamed tonsils from an infection, inflammation from irritants, or something more, an inflamed throat is an all-too-common issue that can quickly derail your day.

But the good news? With the right remedies, you can find effective relief and get back to feeling like yourself again in no time. Let’s explore the causes of an inflamed throat and the best ways to soothe it, with both immediate remedies and longer-term treatment options.

What Causes an Inflamed Throat?

Inflamed throats are often a symptom of your body fighting off an illness, but they can also arise from other issues. Common causes include:

1. Viral Infections: The common cold, the flu, and other viral infections are the leading culprits behind an inflamed throat. These typically come with other symptoms like coughing, sneezing, and a stuffy nose. According to the CDC, flu symptoms often cause sore throat along with other respiratory symptoms¹.
2. Bacterial Infections: Strep throat, caused by streptococcal bacteria, is a common bacterial infection that leads to severe throat pain. This condition accounts for 5% to 15% of new sore throat cases in adults and 15% to 35% in children in the US².
3. Allergies: Allergens like pollen, dust, and pet dander can irritate the throat, causing inflammation and discomfort. Research supports that allergic rhinitis can also cause throat inflammation, often triggered by seasonal allergens³.
4. Dry Air or Irritants: Breathing in dry air or smoke (including second-hand cigarette smoke) can dry out and irritate your throat, leaving it feeling scratchy and sore.
5. Acid Reflux: Acid reflux or GERD can cause stomach acid to reach the throat, irritating the lining and leading to inflammation. Research from Johns Hopkins indicates that untreated GERD can often lead to persistent sore throat symptoms.

Inflamed Throat Remedies and Relief

Now that you know what could be causing your inflamed throat, let’s dive into how to get rid of inflamed throat symptoms. These remedies can provide quick relief and help soothe discomfort, so you can get back to your routine.

1. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!

When your throat is inflamed, staying hydrated is one of the easiest and effective things you can do. According to Harvard School of Public Health, hydration helps regulate body temperature, keeps joints lubricated, prevents infections, delivers nutrients to cells, and keeps organs functioning properly⁴. Sipping on warm drinks like herbal teas (try chamomile or ginger) or warm water with honey is a great way to get hydrated. Avoid overly hot drinks, as they can worsen the situation. Cold beverages can also help numb the throat and offer short-term relief, but warm liquids generally work better in the long run⁵.

2. Saltwater Gargle

A classic remedy for a reason—gargling with warm salt water helps reduce inflammation and may kill bacteria in the throat. Mix a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water and gargle for 30 seconds, up to four times a day. This remedy works well if you’re battling a sore throat caused by a viral or bacterial infection. By using salt, you’re pulling out fluids from your throat tissues, which helps wash the virus out⁶. It may also loosen mucus that needs to come out.

3. Steam Inhalation

Breathing in steam may help reduce swelling and ease the pain of sore throat⁹. You can do this by standing in a hot shower or filling a bowl with hot water, placing your face over it, and covering your head with a towel to trap the steam.

4. Honey

Research shows that honey has some antimicrobial and anti-inflammation properties. Honey can help by decreasing inflammation and irritation in your throat⁷. Mix it into warm water, or try adding a bit of ginger for an extra anti-inflammatory boost.

5. Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol + Amylmetracresol (Strepsils) Lozenges for Quick Relief

Lozenges like Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol + Amylmetracresol (Strepsils) are specially designed to help numb the pain and provide immediate comfort to your inflamed throat. The Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol + Amylmetacresol (Strepsils) Original contains dichlorobenzyl alcohol and amylmetacresol that help soothe irritation and coat the throat, providing both instant relief and lasting effects. Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol Amylmetracresol (Strepsils) offer a wide range of products, providing more options depending on your needs.

When to Seek Professional Help

While inflamed throat symptoms typically resolve on their own with rest and home remedies, there are instances where you should seek medical attention. If your symptoms persist for more than a week or are accompanied by high fever, difficulty swallowing, or swollen lymph nodes, it might be time to visit your doctor. Bacterial infections like strep throat or more serious conditions may require antibiotics or other prescription treatments.

Here are some signs it might be time to seek professional help:

• Severe Pain: If your throat pain is intense and makes swallowing impossible, it could indicate something more serious.
• Fever: A persistent fever over 38°C could mean that your body is fighting a bacterial infection.
• White Spots or Pus on Tonsils: If your tonsils are inflamed and show white spots, it might be strep throat, which requires antibiotics.
• Swelling of the Neck or Face: This could indicate that an infection has spread beyond your throat, and immediate medical attention is needed.

Long-Term Prevention

Preventing future occurrences of an inflamed throat is always ideal. Try these tips for long-term throat health:

• Boost Your Immunity¹⁰: Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly Vitamin C, can help your immune system fight off infections.
• Stay Hydrated¹⁰: Keeping your throat hydrated will help you avoid dry and inflamed throat symptoms.
• Use a Humidifier10: Dry air can make your throat feel worse, so using a humidifier in your home can keep the air moist and comfortable for your throat.
• Avoid Irritants10: If smoke, allergens, or other irritants trigger your symptoms, try to avoid exposure whenever possible.

Conclusion

An inflamed throat can be a real disruption, affecting everything from swallowing to concentrating on daily tasks. But with a little know-how and the right remedies—whether it's a soothing lozenge, a warm saltwater gargle, or staying hydrated—you can find relief and ease the discomfort.

And remember, when you’re in need of relief, Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol + Amylmetracresol (Strepsils) is always here to help. Our range of lozenges is designed to provide immediate comfort for inflamed throats, allowing you to get on with your day. Buy Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol + Amylmetracresol (Strepsils) today and experience the soothing relief for yourself.

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Flu: Symptoms & complications. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/signs-symptoms/index.html
2. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Strep throat. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4602-strep-throat
3. Bisno, A. L., Gerber, M. A., Gwaltney, J. M., Kaplan, E. L., & Schwartz, R. H. (2002). Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis. JAMA, 288(4), 2816078. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.288.4.281
4. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (2020, January 13). The importance of hydration. Retrieved from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/the-importance-of-hydration/
5. Eccles, R., Morris, S., & Jawad, M. S. (2008). The effects of hot drinks on nasal airflow and symptoms of common cold and flu. Rhinology, 46(4), 271–275. Retrieved from https://www.rhinologyjournal.com/Rhinology_issues/719.pdf
6. WebMD. (n.d.). Remedies for sore throat. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/remedies-for-sore-throat
7. Cleveland Clinic. (2020, December 16). Is honey good for a sore throat and cough?. Retrieved from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/honey-for-sore-throat-and-cough
8. Oduwole, O., Meremikwu, M. M., Oyo-Ita, A., & Udoh, E. E. (2014). Honey for acute cough in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2014(12). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19222617/
9. Help for Sore Throats. https://www.healthline.com/health/cold-flu/help-sore-throats#steam-shower. Accessed 15 April 2025
10. What are the best ways to help a sore throat? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-to-help-sore-throats#vitamins. Accessed 15 April 2025