It is somewhat difficult to treat severe cases of strep throat with home remedies alone, because it is bacterial infection. You can reduce the pain at home, but the bacteria may need antibiotics in those severe cases.
Strep throat is a very common problem and if diagnosed early then you can treat it home without going to the doctor. The trick is to ensure that the infection is contained and killed as soon as it begins. Do not let the bacteria breed.
A sudden sore throat with fever is an early warning sign. You may not have any coughing or cold symptoms such as sneezing or a runny nose.
You will get white or yellow coating on your thrust and tonsils. The roof of the mouth at the back usually turns rad or dark red and you will have swollen lymph nodes.
In severe cases of strep throat infection you can get skin rashes on the neck to begin with and later they may spread to the entire body.
What causes Strep Throat?
A strep throat is caused by streptococcal bacteria or strep. There are different groups of streptococcal bacteria that are responsible for the condition, but Group A streptococcal bacteria is the most common cause of strep throat. Sometimes group C and Group G bacteria can also cause strep throat.
The bacteria are released in the air by the infected person and are caught by breathing by other people. It takes about 2-5 days before the symptoms of strep throat are fully developed after the infection is contacted.
If the infection is not severe then you can easily treat it with home remedies and the symptoms will go within 3-7 days.
Though the symptoms of strep throat disappear and you feel normal, it is important to realize that you are still in the contagious stage for the next 2-3 weeks. You can spread it to others, and if your own immune system becomes weak then you may get a relapse of the strep throat infection.
So continue your home remedies for the next 3 weeks even if your symptoms have disappeared.
The severe strep throat will require antibiotic treatment.
Home Remedies for Strep Throat
If your strep throat doesn't go away within the next 3-7 days, then you should contact your doctor who is most likely to give you antibiotics to control your strep throat to avoid any further complications.
Whether you are taking antibiotics it not the following home remedies will help you to get pain relief and help your strep throat to go away within a week
1. Moist Your Throat
Moisture in your throat reduces pain and discomfort. There are many ways you can do that.
Drink a lot of fluids. Drink a glass of water every one hour.
You can suck lozenges to keep your mouth moist. You can drink different herbal teas, some of them are described below.
Increase humidity in your room by using a humidifier. All these moisture promoting measures will relieve you from strep throat pain while it begins to heal.
2. Take Enough Rest
Taking rest increases your Immunity to fight the strep throat infection. So take sufficient rest. Many people ignore this aspect, as a result of this they delay the healing as well as increase possibilities of spreading the infection.
3. Warm Salt Water Gargling
Salt water gargling is a very effective remedy for sore throats of all kinds including strep throat. Take a glass of warm water. Add half teaspoon of common salt and mix it well.
Take a sip and gargle. Each sip should last at least 30 send of gargling action inside the mouth. The glass of salt water should last for 5-10 minutes of gargling.
Do it 2-3 times or more for faster recovery from strep throat.
4. Honey and Cayenne Pepper
Honey is both antiviral and antibacterial. Cayenne pepper is also antibacterial.
This combination will help you to combat the bacteria in the long term as well as sooth the pain instantly.
Grind one small size cayenne pepper to make a thick paste. Add one teaspoon of honey and mix it well. Keep the picture in the back of your mouth. Let it slowly pass through your throat.
The viscous honey will form a layer on the infected area, protecting the rest of the area from infection as well as killing bacteria in the infected area.
Cayenne pepper is also a good remedy to remove plaque from arteries. Regular use of one small cayenne pepper a day is enough.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is an effective treatment for Strep throat. It is antibacterial that is why it works so well.
You can use apple cider vinegar in two different ways to get the same desired result of pain relief and fast healing from strep throat.
Add one tablespoon of Apple cider vinegar to a warm glass of water and gargle with it several times a week.
Add a teaspoon of honey to apple cider vinegar. Mix it well and keep it in your mouth for 5 minutes. It is difficult but you can do it. Resist the temptation to swallow the mixture and you will succeed to hold it inside the mouth for 5 minutes before finally swallowing it.
6. Garlic
Garlic has both anti bacterial and anti-inflammatory capabilities. The sulfur compounds in garlic do the trick and cures strep throat.
Cut a garlic clove into 2-3 small pieces, keep it in the mouth and duck it like you suck lozenges.
Another way to consume garlic is to make a garlic tea. Grate 2-3 garlic cloves and put it in a boiling pot with 250ml water. Let it simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the pot from the burner and let the tea cool down to acceptable temperature. Add a teaspoon of honey, mix it well and sip it warm. This will help your strep throat faster.
Do it 2-3 times a day.
7. Onion
Onion is a good antibacterial agent. Cut an onion into small slices.
Chew each slice slowly, so that the extracted juice slowly moves down your throat to combat strep bacteria.
Eating a small onion in the slice form should take 5 minutes for best effect.
Do it 2-3 times a day.
With the above remedies you will not only heal your strep throat infection but also improve your Immunity.