- Gargle with warm salt water to help get rid of
throat soreness. You can make the saltwater mixture by stirring
1 tsp (5 g)
of salt into 8 fl oz (0.2 L) of
lukewarm water. Gargle as often as you like. The more often, the
better.
- Drink more fluids to soothe a sore throat. Honey and lemon
in weak tea may help. (Do not give honey to children younger than 1
year.)
- Take acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin to help the pain
go away. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20
because of the risk of a rare but serious illness called
Reye's syndrome.
Clean the inside of the nose with salt water to help reduce postnasal
drip. To make the solution, mix 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 g) of salt and 1/4 teaspoon
(1.25 g) of baking soda in 6 fl oz (175 mL) of warm water. You may also
purchase a saline solution at your pharmacy.
Gently squirt the solution into your nose. Aim the water toward the
back, not the top, of your head. The water will run through the nasal passages
and into the back of your throat. Spit it out through your mouth. It will not
hurt you if you swallow some of the water. To squirt the solution, you
can:
- Use an all-rubber ear syringe, which you can buy
at a drug store.
- Use a medical syringe without the
needle.
- Use a Water Pik, set on "low."
- Pour the
solution into your hand and "snuff" it up through your nose, one nostril at a
time.
