I just can’t seem to shake my sore throat! I know that lots of things can trigger an itchy, scratchy, painful throat—allergies, infections, too much talking…the list goes on and on. But since I don’t also have a fever, swollen glands, or white spots in the back of my mouth (signs of a strep infection), I’m going to save myself a trip to the doctor and try to find some relief at home.
Here are a handful of hints that’ll help put out the fire:

• Use throat lozenges or hard candies to keep your throat moist.
• No cough drops or candy handy? Soak half a lemon in salt water, and suck on it for a while. This treatment moistens your throat and relieves soreness.
• Pop aspirin, ibuprofen, or another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug as directed to dull the pain.
• Drink lots of water and other fluids to keep yourself hydrated and your throat moist.
• Sip warm liquids, such as salty soup, to help fight inflammation.
• Gargle with salty water to dissolve mucus, cleanse your throat, and reduce swelling and inflammation. Here’s what you do:

Put 1 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of hot water, and gargle four or five times a day. Don’t be heavy-handed with the salt—the gargle should taste a little salty, but not overwhelmingly so. Too much salt will cause further irritation to your already sore throat.

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