Strep throat is an infection that attacks your throat and tonsils. Strep refers to "group A streptococcus." It's named after the bacteria that causes the disease.
This condition is most common in children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 15, but strep can affect anyone. It spreads when you share fluids with someone who has it, like by drinking from the same glass or sharing utensils. Adults who work with kids or have children are more likely to contract it. If you’re not sure if you have strep throat, visit your doctor for a throat culture test. That's the only way to know for sure.
Strep comes on fast. You may go to bed feeling fine and wake up sick. Strep throat symptoms include:
- A sore, itchy throat
- White spots that appear on your tonsils
- Fever
- Pain when you swallow
- Swollen glands
- Headache
- Stomach pain or loss of appetite
Home Remedies for Strep Throat
Once you're diagnosed, your doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics to destroy the bacteria that caused the infection. That usually takes 24 to 48 hours. In the meantime, these home remedies for strep throat can alleviate your symptoms:
Rest and sleep
When you're sick, your body needs rest and sleep to fight the infection. Stay home from work, or if your child is sick, keep them home from school. Strep is easily spread and remains contagious until you've taken an antibiotic for 24 hours and no longer have a fever.
Stay hydrated
Drink plenty of water and clear fluids to keep your body hydrated. Keep the throat moist to alleviate pain when swallowing.
Eat soft and soothing food
Soup, applesauce, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, yogurt, or a smoothie are good options. The list is endless, as long as the food is soft and easy to swallow. Cold foods like ice cream or frozen pops help soothe your sore throat. Stay away from spicy foods or acidic fruits like oranges.
Use a humidifier
Breathing moist air can relieve discomfort. Cool-mist humidifiers are best, but be sure to clean them daily to prevent mold and bacteria from building up. A nasal saline spray helps too.
Gargle with salt water
Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt into 8 ounces of warm water. Take a sip, lift your head back, and gargle the mixture in your throat to relieve pain. Remind your kids to spit out the water instead of swallowing it.
Avoid irritants
Cigarettes, heavy perfumes, and cleaning products can further aggravate your throat and could even make the infection worse. Make sure the air in your home or bedroom is clean.
Prescription medications
Strep throat is treated with a course of antibiotics. Your doctor will prescribe penicillin or amoxicillin. If you're allergic to penicillin, other antibiotics will treat strep.
Antibiotics will help decrease your symptoms and the amount of time you're sick. Medication wipes out the bad bacteria that caused the infection so you don't spread it to others and prevents certain complications, like rheumatic fever.
Natural Remedies for Strep Throat
Certain natural remedies can help you feel better when you have strep throat. Although there isn’t enough evidence that these remedies work, they can be worth trying along with your prescribed medicines.
Apple cider vinegar for sore throat
Apple cider vinegar is made from fermenting apples, sugar, and yeast. Many people turn to it to manage many infections, including strep throat. Although some research shows it has antibacterial properties, there isn’t much evidence showing it works well and is safe.
Apple cider vinegar is very acidic and can wear away your tooth’s enamel and burn your throat. If you’re drinking it, have just a tablespoon of it in a mug of warm water. Apple cider vinegar may also reduce potassium levels, interact with medicines like insulin and water pills, and cause stomach upset. Talk to your doctor if you’re considering taking apple cider vinegar regularly.
Ginger
Ginger has anti-inflammatory, immune-promoting, and antimicrobial properties, making it beneficial for managing sore throat. You can eat ginger as it is, crush it into tea, take the powdered form as a supplement or in juice, or take the candy form for your sore throat.
Ginger is generally safe, but if you take too much, over 6 grams, you can have stomach problems like heartburn, acid reflux, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, and allergic reactions. It can also affect how other medicines work for you. Speak with a doctor before making ginger a big part of your diet or using it as medicine.
Marshmallow root
Marshmallow root contains mucilage, a substance that becomes a slick gel when mixed with water. This mixture can help relieve a sore throat and some studies show it may work as quickly as within 10 minutes. You can have marshmallow root in your tea or take it in capsule and liquid forms. You can have a few cups of marshmallow tea, 30 to 40 drops of the liquid form in water, or a capsule containing 6 grams of the powdered root daily.
Marshmallow root is safe to take. But it can affect your stomach lining and how your body takes in other drugs or herbs. It can also dangerously lower your blood sugar levels if you take it with diabetes medicines. Talk to your doctor before taking marshmallow root as a remedy for any condition.
Essential oils
Essential oils are natural oils taken from different parts of plants, such as leaves, seeds, bark, berries, flowers, roots, or fruits. People have long used essential oils like frankincense, myrtle, lemon, oregano, sage, thyme, and lavender to help with infections and other health problems. Research has shown that these oils can slow down the growth of bacteria and even kill some, including streptococcus.
Although the FDA generally recognizes many essential oils as safe, they can be poisonous if you drink them in large amounts or add them to your food. It’s best to use essential oils by inhaling or applying diluted forms on your skin. To use essential oils for strep throat, mix up to six drops with a bowl of hot water and breathe in the steam. You can add a few drops of essential oil to your bath, but mix it with a carrier oil like jojoba, coconut, or avocado oil.
Essential oils can sometimes cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, or discoloration. If you’re pregnant or think you might be, if you have asthma or other health conditions, or if you take prescription medications, talk to your doctor before using essential oils.
Honey
Honey has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It can help reduce irritation, relieve pain, and soothe strep throat. Many experts recommend it as a remedy for relieving sore throats, and it is safe for anyone over 1 year old.
You can take a teaspoon of honey or add it to warm water or tea for sore throat. Honey has sugar, though. Don’t take too much in one day, especially if you're trying to limit your sugar intake.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is another natural and safe remedy for managing strep throat. It has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties and is moisturizing, helping keep your throat moist and soothing your strep symptoms.
For sore throat relief, take a teaspoon of coconut oil or add it to warm water or tea.
Home Remedies for Strep Throat for Children
If your child develops a fever and a sore throat, it might be strep. Until you know for sure, follow these steps to avoid spreading the infection:
- Wash hands
- Try warm salt water gargles
- Stay home from social activities
- Rest
- Drink fluids to keep the throat moist
- Take an over-the-counter (OTC) painkiller, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen
Do not give your child natural remedies or over-the-counter medicines for strep throat if they are an infant or under the age of 2. Take them to a doctor instead who can recommend the best treatment for them.
For children older than 3, an over-the-counter (OTC) painkiller like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can manage symptoms and reduce your child's fever. Use medication designed specifically for children and check the bottle or use a pediatrician's recommendation to determine the correct dosage. Do not give your child aspirin, as it can cause a deadly illness called Reye's syndrome.
When to See Your Doctor
If you suspect strep throat, call a doctor immediately if you're having any of the following symptoms:
- A sore throat that lasts for more than 48 hours
- A sore throat that comes with a rash or swollen lymph glands
- A fever
- Trouble swallowing or breathing
Your doctor will perform one or two tests to diagnose strep. The first is called a rapid antigen test, and it can detect strep bacteria within minutes. If that test is negative, he or she might perform a throat culture. This involves swabbing the throat, then sending it out to a lab to detect bacteria.
Strep is contagious until you've been on antibiotics for 24 to 48 hours. This means you should stay home from work, school, and day care.
Strep can be dangerous if left untreated, so call your doctor right away. If strep bacteria spreads to other areas of the body, it can cause complications, including:
- Tonsil abscesses, or pockets of infection around the tonsils
- Sinus infections
- Ear infections
- Rheumatic fever, a form of heart disease
- Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, a type of kidney disease
Takeaways
Strep throat is a sore throat that needs to be treated with antibiotics. If you have a sore throat and don’t know which type, a doctor can do a rapid antigen test and throat culture test and recommend the right antibiotics if it is strep. Drink water, rest, use a cool-mist humidifier, and take your medicines as recommended.
FAQs on Home Remedies for Strep Throat
What is the fastest way to cure strep throat?
The fastest way to cure strep throat is by taking antibiotics.
Can you get rid of strep without antibiotics?
You can’t get rid of strep without antibiotics.
What should I drink for strep throat?
You can drink water, honey, coconut oil, or a ginger drink for strep throat
What kills strep?
Antibiotics kill strep.
What are some of the holistic remedies for strep throat?
Remedies for strep throat include honey, ginger, essential oils, and coconut oil.
