Self-Care Measures to Treat Sore Throat

With the 2025-2026 fall respiratory virus season well underway, many individuals are likely to experience pharyngitis, commonly referred to as a sore throat. Left untreated, sore throats can adversely affect an individual’s health-related quality of life and disrupt day-to-day productivity and sleep, depending upon the etiology and severity of discomfort and pain. The CDC notes that a sore throat may be a symptom of strep throat, the common cold, influenza, COVID-19, allergies, or other upper respiratory tract illnesses.^1-4

Pharmacists are well positioned to guide patients in selecting appropriate OTC products for the relief of sore throat pain and can also be instrumental in determining whether self-treatment is appropriate, directing patients to pursue further medical evaluation and care when warranted, and ensuring proper treatment is initiated.

Patients who present with a sore throat may exhibit one or more of the following symptoms: a dry, scratchy sensation in the throat; difficulty talking or swallowing; and pain, tenderness, irritation, or swelling in the throat area.¹ Depending on the cause, patients may also experience fever, headache, white patches in the throat or tonsils, erythematous and/or swollen tonsils, fatigue, and a general feeling of malaise.¹

The CDC indicates that bacterial or viral infections are the primary causes of sore throats.² Data suggest that approximately 50% to 80% of sore throats are viral in nature.³ Additionally, sore throats can be caused by other medical conditions and factors. The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation indicates that possible causes of sore throat include infections; allergies and chronic postnasal drip; exposure to environmental irritants such as smoke, chemicals, or pollution; mononucleosis; strep throat; tonsillitis; gastroesophageal reflux disease; and excessive coughing and/or voice strain.^1-3

Self-Treatment and Management Measures

Treatment for a sore throat should be patient centered and determined by several factors, including the underlying cause and the patient's medication profile, allergies, and medical history. In general, most mild to moderate sore throats heal within a few days without intervention, but several OTC products are marketed to alleviate throat pain, including local anesthetic products that contain benzocaine or dyclonine hydrochloride, which offer temporary relief.⁴ OTC formulations are available as lozenges, throat drops, and sprays, which can be used every 2 to 4 hours as needed. Some formulations also contain antiseptics, such as cetylpyridinium chloride or hexylresorcinol, and occasionally include agents such as camphor or menthol.⁴ There are also products formulated for pediatric patients, as well as sugar-free products and herbal and homeopathic remedies.

During counseling, pharmacists can advise patients with a history of allergies to local anesthetics to avoid products containing benzocaine or other local anesthetics and to consult their primary health care provider regarding treatment options. Patients should also be advised to adhere to the recommended guidelines for using these OTC products as directed and to seek additional medical attention if sore throat symptoms worsen or persist for several days, or if they experience other symptoms such as fever or signs of infection. If no contraindications or drug interactions are present, some health care providers may recommend taking an oral analgesic, such as acetaminophen or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, also to alleviate pain when deemed appropriate per patient need.⁴

In addition to counseling patients about OTC medications, pharmacists can also provide patients with recommendations for nonpharmacological measures tailored to patient needs that can also ease sore throat pain. These include warm tea with lemon or honey, cold liquids, popsicles, ice chips, gargling with warm salt water, using a humidifier to add moisture to the air, and drinking plenty of fluids when appropriate.⁴

Patients should be advised to seek medical attention when necessary, particularly if they are exhibiting signs of infection such as thick nasal or respiratory secretions that are not clear, shortness of breath, ear pain, wheezing, enlarged or swollen glands, a lump in the neck, problems talking or swallowing, hoarseness lasting over 2 weeks, and/or a severe sore throat that persists for several days despite treatment with OTC products and/or is associated with fever, headache, rash, nausea, or vomiting.^1,4

The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery provides a valuable resource with tips for preventing sore throats.

Conclusion

Self-management of a sore throat should be limited to cases of mild to moderate pain. OTC medications can provide prompt relief when used appropriately. For pediatric patients, parents should administer only OTC products specifically marketed for children and consult a health care professional if there is any uncertainty. Severe or persistent pain, as well as symptoms indicative of infection, necessitate a medical assessment. To avoid unwarranted antibiotic use, individuals exhibiting signs of strep throat should seek medical attention for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

REFERENCES

1. Sore throats. ENThealth. Updated February 2020. Accessed December 5, 2025. https://www.enthealth.org/conditions/sore-throats/

2. Sore throat basics. CDC. April 17, 2024. Accessed December 5, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/sore-throat/about/index.html

3. Wolford RW, Goyal A, Syed GYB, Schaefer TJ. Pharyngitis. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Accessed December 5, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519550/

4. Scolaro K. Disorders related to cold and allergy. In: Krinsky DL, Ferreri SP, Hemstreet B, et al, eds. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs: An Interactive Approach to Self-Care. 21st ed. American Pharmacists Association; 2024.