Pharmacist warns one drink makes sore throats 'worse' and 'last longer'

Pharmacist warns one drink makes sore throats 'worse' and 'last longer' People should avoid making this common mistake with their sore throats A pharmacist has said there are several things that can speed up recovery from a sore throat. However, she also warned that one common mistake could make the pain and irritation "last longer" and delay recovery further. Sore throats are a common symptom of many winter illnesses, such as colds and the flu. The irritating feeling can be impossible to ignore at times - and an expert claims that some of the most "overlooked" remedies could be more helpful than people assume. Anum Ahmed (@Pharmacist.anum on TikTok) said that people can avoid the temptation to buy many over-the-counter medications when sickness strikes. Instead, some simple at-home solutions may help speed up recovery. She said: "[Standard] paracetamol can be a really effective painkiller when it comes to relieving the pain from a sore throat. You could also consider something like ibuprofen, if ibuprofen is suitable for you, because it is an anti-inflammatory, which can also help to soothe that sore throat pain." For localised relief, many people would typically reach for a pack of medicated lozenges. Anum claims that some of these contain a form of local anaesthetic, as well as others with "anti-inflammatory ingredients". The medical expert said: "Now, with these, it's important to remember that the impact can be quite small, so don't expect a miracle. Speak with your pharmacist, and they can let you know which ones are available and which ones are suitable for you." Something that people may neglect when they're feeling under the weather is proper hydration. Anum claims this is "key" to soothing a sore throat, but she says people often grab the wrong types of drinks for it. Ensure our latest health headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings She said: "Most people will reach for warm drinks when they have a sore throat, which can be really helpful, especially with a little bit of honey. It can be really soothing for your sore throat. "Did you know that cold drinks and cold foods such as ice lollies can provide a numbing effect to your sore throat, which can also help to relieve the pain? So don't be sleeping on cold drinks as well." As for the one drink the health specialist says can make a sore throat 'last longer' and potentially get 'worse', Anum warns: "You want to avoid boiling hot drinks straight out of the kettle. Boiling hot drinks can actually irritate your throat more and make the pain worse." According to health experts, boiling hot drinks can make a sore throat worse by causing thermal irritation and mild burns to the already sensitive, inflamed lining of your throat. While comfortably warm liquids like tea or broth are excellent for soothing irritation and loosening mucus, scalding liquids increase pain, inflammation, and swelling. According to the NHS website, a sore throat normally gets better on its own "within a week" but heals faster with proven treatments and remedies. Anum claims: "If you are concerned you're getting severe symptoms, and they're not improving. Please always speak with your pharmacist or your GP."