Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils (glands in the back of your throat). It typically results from a bacterial or viral infection.
Tonsillitis triggers symptoms like swollen tonsils, a sore throat, and pain when swallowing. While viral infections will clear on their own, bacterial tonsillitis might require antibiotics. However, some home remedies can help ease or treat uncomfortable symptoms.
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Honey
Honey may ease a sore throat when used as a cough suppressant. The sweetener’s antioxidant and antimicrobial properties might also help combat the bacteria causing your tonsillitis. Consider taking 2 teaspoons of raw honey before bed or adding a spoonful to a warm beverage like tea. However, children under the age of 1 should not consume honey.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is a common bedtime remedy, and it may also soothe throat pain associated with tonsillitis. Some research suggests that because chamomile helps lubricate the throat, it might help with pain, hoarseness, and inflammation in the area. Chamomile’s antioxidant properties could support the overall healing process. Either drink chamomile tea or inhale the steam that it produces if it’s too painful to swallow.
Soup
There may be some scientific evidence behind chicken soup’s healing benefits. When you have a sore, inflamed throat due to tonsillitis, you’ll want to include a warm, soothing, soft food like soup to support your recovery.
Choose mild flavors of soup with soft vegetables and mild protein such as chicken that won’t irritate your throat. Go light on the seasoning, but consider including ingredients like carrots, turmeric, onion, and garlic, which may have antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Ginger Root
Ginger root, an herb with many potential health benefits, may soothe a sore throat caused by tonsillitis. Research indicates ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties can help block certain proteins in the body that trigger the inflammatory response, leading to pain and itching. When paired with other herbs like ginseng and jujube, ginger helped reduce tonsillitis pain. Try chewing on a piece of fresh ginger root, sucking on a ginger lozenge, or making a cup of ginger tea.
Peppermint
The menthol in peppermint might help temporarily relieve sore throat pain and inflammation. Its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral effects could also support the healing process. One study showed that peppermint essential oil’s antimicrobial properties may be similar to those of the antibiotic gentamicin. Consider inhaling a few breaths of peppermint essential oil, sucking on menthol lozenges, or making a cup of peppermint tea.
Popsicles and Ice Chips
The cooling effect of frozen ice pops, such as Popsicles, and ice chips helps numb the throat area, temporarily relieving any pain or inflammation. Ice chips and Popsicles also help provide fluids to prevent dehydration, especially if you don’t feel like eating or drinking much while sick. Opt for ice pops made with fruit or sugar-free ones with no added sugar.
Tonsillitis Self-Care Methods
Saltwater Gargle
Gargling with salt water is one way to reduce lingering bacteria in the back of the throat and cleanse and soothe the area. Dissolve one-fourth teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces (1 cup) of warm water. Take a mouthful of the mixture, and gargle the liquid in your throat before spitting it out into the sink. You can do this several times a day.
Avoid Hard Foods
Hard, crunchy, or sticky foods are the last thing you’ll want to eat when dealing with a swollen, sore throat. Experts recommend opting for soft foods, particularly if swallowing hurts. These can include soup, ice cream, smoothies, and other soft-textured foods to help you get the necessary nutrition while your sore throat is healing.
Get Plenty of Sleep
While research suggests that getting adequate sleep may help prevent illnesses, it’s also important for helping to restore your body. Ensuring you clock enough restful sleep is key to rebuilding the immune system during tonsillitis.
While healing, aim for at least seven to eight hours of sleep per night (or more if possible) if you’re feeling crummy. Focus on keeping your sleep environment cool, quiet, and distraction-free, and consider breathing techniques to help ease your body into rest.
Rest Your Voice
Along with resting your body, you’ll also want to rest your voice. If you do not have to talk for work, school, or home activities, experts recommend saving your voice until you’re fully better to avoid further irritation to a sore throat.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of fluids can help relieve symptoms and assist your body in clearing the infection. Staying hydrated with tonsillitis can include consuming warm, soothing liquids like tea, soup, and broth. You may also opt for plain water with lemon or a sports drink to maintain electrolyte balance.
Try Using a Humidifier
A cool-mist humidifier adds moisture to the air and reduces pain, inflammation, and dryness in your throat. Humidifier use may also decrease the chances of viral infections, as altered humidity levels in a particular room may make it more difficult for viruses to survive.
Other OTC Options
Medicated Throat Lozenges
Medicated throat lozenges with either benzocaine or menthol can help relieve tonsillitis pain. They numb the nerve receptors in the throat and stimulate saliva production to keep your throat lubricated. This can help reduce sore throat symptoms.
Many different flavors of medicated throat lozenges are available OTC. However, check the product label or ask a healthcare provider before using it, as lozenges may not be appropriate for children under age 6.
Throat Sprays and Gargles
Certain types of throat sprays and gargles found at the drugstore work quickly to ease the pain and inflammation of a sore throat.
Throat sprays with the active ingredient phenol, often sold under the name Chloraseptic, work as an oral analgesic to numb the throat area. Products with benzocaine and menthol, like Vicks VapoCool Sore Throat, also numb pain and irritation in the throat.
Phenol spray typically remains in the mouth for around 15 seconds, while a benzocaine product is usually gargled for a minute or so. Both medications should be spit out, not swallowed, after use. Benzocaine shouldn’t be used by children under 12, while phenol should not be used by children under 3.
OTC Pain Relievers
For fever, aches, and throat pain, you can turn to an OTC pain reliever. These include Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen).
Some research indicates that Tylenol is effective at reducing sore throat pain over the course of two days when taken at regular interval doses. Advil has also been found to reduce sore throat symptoms when taken for two to five days.
Be sure to select an appropriate dosage according to label instructions. Children younger than 6 months should be given just Tylenol, not Advil or Motrin.
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
While many one-off cases of tonsillitis will go away on their own within a week or two, it’s a good idea to check in with a healthcare provider if you or a child you’re caring for has a severe sore throat for more than two days. They can confirm a tonsillitis (or other) diagnosis and offer guidance on treatment tactics.
You should also consider reaching out to a healthcare provider if you notice:
Seek emergency medical care right away if you or your child experience:
- Drooling
- Major trouble swallowing
- Trouble breathing
A healthcare provider can determine if antibiotics or other treatment options are needed for a bacterial infection.
Summary
Tonsillitis (an infection of the tonsils) often causes a severe sore throat, swelling, and fever. While many cases of tonsillitis resolve on their own, these symptoms can be quite uncomfortable in the meantime.
Consider using evidence-based home remedies, like warm tea, Popsicles, saltwater gargles, honey (but not in children under 12 months old), a humidifier, and OTC sore throat products, to find relief while you recover. See a healthcare provider if you experience fever, difficulty swallowing, or severe pain along with swollen tonsils.
