help me obi-wan flist

[eruthros]

Massively dry, sore throat. (Partly the fault of meds, partly the fault of taking a hike today that I took someone's word about in terms of the "oh, stairs at the start, then mostly flat" which btw my knees do not thank that trail reviewer, partly the fault of it being fucking hot here.)

I have: drunk a lot of water (see above re: hot), eaten like five chocolate chips (all the chocolate in the house except for some pocky), had some fruit juice and vegetables and dinner and things, had some ice cream (listen, it could have worked), made myself some tea with honey, and it still feels like someone could light a match on the back of my throat. Given that I have the pantry of a moderately-foodie USAmerican vegetarian, the tea stock of a person who really likes tea, the medicine cabinet of a person who basically can't take otc medication, and the knees of a person who is not walking another step outside the house today, do you have any suggestions? It's ridiculously distracting. And also, owww.

Comments

[takemyrevolution]

Mint or licorice tea?

[were_duck]

I have no suggestions--honey, mint tea and orange juice are my usual go-tos for sore throats. I can offer internet hugs? You've had a crap day. <3

[sasha_feather]

Steam! Steam like from a hot shower or hot bath generally makes me feel better.

[stewardess]

Gargle reapeatedly with hot water (as hot as you can stand) into which you have stirred a teaspoon of salt. Gross, but it works.

[arch]

Yup, this. It really does help.

[anatsuno]

Thirding this!

[jesse_the_k]

It's unbelievably bad-tasting, but it really does work.

[ingridmatthews]

This works. The soreness of the throat is caused by the muscles seizing to protect the inflamed areas. The hot water will relieve that and the salt will soothe the inflammation.

ETA: If gargling is painful, you can just drink plain hot water (no salt). The hotter, the better.

[blushingflower]

Yes, def. don't add salt to water you're going to drink. A) it's dehydrating, B) salt water is an emetic, which is the last thing you need for a sore throat!

[aris_tgd]

I will second the saltwater, but also water into which you have squeezed lemon juice is good for sipping. Good luck!

[busaikko]

I teach, which means shouting (at least part of the day) for a living. When I get a sore throat, I, um, swallow toothpaste (not a lot, about half what I use to brush with, maybe?) which does a good job of coating my throat. I think it has no medicinal benefits and too much is not good for you, but. (I find eating stuff and even drinking tends to strip away whatever coating is on my throat; toothpaste is itself a throat-coater.)

[chagrined]

also voting 4 warm saltwater mix

[harpers_child]

milk is bad for a sore throat. it thickens the linings and makes it harder to swallow.

you may want to ice/heat your knees.

[livrelibre]

Also on Team Saltwater! And if tea with honey doesn't work then I always find tea with honey and lemon and whiskey delicious, if not automatically sore-throat-soothing. Hopefully one of those will work.

[blushingflower]

Hot water with lemon and honey is my go-to for sore throats. You don't actually even need the tea.
You could even freeze some fruit juice to make faux-popsicles which could help.

Also, hot showers can help, b/c of the steam, and gargling with salt water if it's an infection. It tastes terrible though.

[toft]

That sounds v miserable. All the above remedies sound helpful, I have none to add except for JAMIE HYNEMAN'S HEALING LOVE.

[ryca]

Grandma's recipe:
1 mug hot water (approx. 8 oz.)
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
2 Tablespoons honey
Mix, adjust to taste, and enjoy (it's DELICIOUS - like tart hot apple cider).

I keep a jug of the honey/vinegar on hand - it's a 1:3 ratio (for my tastes) that keeps well, and then I just pour a dollop into some hot water (goes really well with black tea, too).

Remember - much more honey than vinegar!!!

I hope you feel better.