Five Ways to Soothe a Sore Throat Due to Allergies

Soothing a sore throat caused by allergies can turn into a battle since it often lasts for months. The annoying pain of a sore throat is tiresome and can even leave us feeling very sick at times. These simple tips are ideal for helping to soothe a sore throat due to allergies.

1. Add moisture to the air. A dry environment can often make a sore throat feel worse or even cause it. This is especially true if you tend to sleep with your mouth open at night. Breathing in air that lacks moisture will dry up the throat which will further irritate it. The result is a searing pain in the morning that can last all day long. The easiest way to add moisture to a room is to use a humidifier which is available at stores everywhere. There are different levels of humidifiers so you can easily find one that fits into your budget. For an old fashioned method of adding moisture to the air in your home, try simmering a pot of water on the stove. If you have an older home with radiators you can also place a pan of water on top of the radiators to help release moisture into the air to soothe your sore throat. This method should only be used in homes that do not have young children.

2. Gargle with salt water. In today's time gargling with salt water may seem out-of-date however there is no product on the market that will soothe a sore throat like it. Mouthwashes that are full of alcohol and other astringent type liquids will only irritate the sore throat further, and since the pain is not caused by sickness there is no need for worrying about killing germs. Simply add a half teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water and rinse before bed, in the morning when you arise or any time of the day your throat feels irritated by allergies.

3. Use natural lozenges. Sucking on natural lozenges throughout the day can coat the throat and also be free of ingredients that may be harmful in excess. Some varieties will contain herbs and fruits that may be more soothing than others. Lemon is an excellent flavor for soothing a sore throat because of its sour taste. The sour taste actually causes the mouth to produce more saliva which soothes the throat. Saliva is thicker than water and coats the throat naturally. Other flavors of lozenges such as honey are equally good at coating the throat and taste good, too. Be sure to read the ingredients before consuming lozenges, however. If you don't buy a natural drop you may have to limit the amount that you consume. Sugar free lozenges tend to have a chemical which can be irritating to the gastrointestinal tract. The best bet is to look for an all-natural or organic lozenge to soothe your sore throat. Watch out for companies that use these terms for marketing purposes - always check their labels to see if their claims are reflected in their actual product.

4. Speak up. While many people try to speak softly and limit the use of their sore throat, this will actually make your pain worse. Whispering causes your muscles to become overworked in the throat and will add this type of pain to your soreness. Since a sore throat due to allergies often lasts for weeks or even months, talking softly this entire time will really end up causing you more grief than not. The best thing to do when you have a sore throat is to speak in a tone that you normally would making certain not to use your throat muscles in any way that causes them to become overworked.

5. Treat the source. While a sore throat due to allergies may seem like it is not connected to your nasal allergies, in all actuality the sore throat is probably being caused by the issue with your nose. The post nasal drip continuously drains down the back of your throat when it is left untreated causing irritation and redness. The best way to get rid of this is to see an Allergist to determine exactly what it is you are allergic to. Many doctors provide general allergy medication without knowing exactly what they are treating. If you learn what you are allergic to specifically you can treat it with the medication that best suits the source. You can also avoid the causes when possible. Most seasonal allergies are relived by prescription nasal sprays. The bad news is that these sprays will sometimes also cause a sore throat which is why I recommend natural methods for treating your sore throat due to allergies.