When you’ve got a sore throat, it makes you feel terrible all around. With trouble speaking and irritating pain, that’s understandable! Pharyngitis is something very common that most people will experience at least once during their lifetime. When it comes to battling the discomfort associated with pharyngitis, it’s important to understand what’s actually causing it. 

What is Pharyngitis? 

Pharyngitis refers to a specific type of sore throat. Not a sore throat that goes away on its own after a few hours, but one that persists and even continues to get worse. Somethings, pharyngitis is so severe that it interferes with your daily routine. Pharyngitis occurs when the mucus membranes that line the back of your throat become inflamed. This leads to pain, irritation, difficulty swallow, losing your voice, and more. 

Causes of Pharyngitis

Pharyngitis can be caused by a variety of things. Some of the most common, especially this time of year, are the common cold and influenza. Both of these conditions result in a runny nose and as the mucus drains down your throat, the irritation and swelling begins. Pharyngitis can also be caused by uncontrolled seasonal allergies, strep throat, mono, smoking, and tonsillitis.

Home Remedies 

You can attempt to manage your pharyngitis using home remedies before seeking professional treatment. Even if you are getting treated by an urgent care physician, you should continue to use home remedies to relieve symptoms more quickly. Common home remedies to relieve pharyngitis symptoms include:

• Breathing moist air from a humidifier or hot steaming shower
• Over the counter throat lozenges and spray 
• Drinking hot tea or warm water with lemon and honey
• Resting your voice 

How Urgent Care Can Help

If home remedies aren’t improving your symptoms or you condition lasts longer than 5-7 days, it’s time to seek help from a medical professional. Rather than waiting days to get seen by your primary care provider or spending hours in the emergency room waiting room, go to your local urgent care center!

Urgent care centers are equipped with the tools needed to diagnose what’s causing your pharyngitis and offer treatment for your symptoms. If you’re suffering from a condition like strep throat, antibiotics will be required before you can start feeling better. Keep a list of all other symptoms you’re experiencing along with the pharyngitis to help urgent care staff more accurately diagnose and treat you. 

For more information about how to get treated at urgent care, give us a call today!