Evening Sore Throat
A sore throat is one of the most common symptoms of illness. There are any number of conditions and external factors that could cause your throat to become sore, depending on your personal state of health. And while a sore throat can be uncomfortable, it may also serve as a warning symptom of larger problems.
A sore throat is one of the most common symptoms of illness. There are any number of conditions and external factors that could cause your throat to become sore, depending on your personal state of health. And while a sore throat can be uncomfortable, it may also serve as a warning symptom of larger problems. If you are experiencing sore throats exclusively in the evening, there are some possible causes that need to be addressed.
Causes
For sore throats occurring only in the evening, you may want to look to your environment--you may be allergic to a pollen, mold or pet dander found in the air. Additionally, the air you breathe may simply be too dry, particularly if you are in a heated home or building in the evening. If outside, external irritants may be the product, including smoke. A sore throat may signal gastroesophageal reflux disease, which sends stomach acids back up the esophagus--this can be intensified after meals, such as dinner. If you enter the evening after intense periods of talking or yelling, you may simply be suffering from muscle strain.
Symptoms
The obvious symptom for this problem is pain, tenderness, or discomfort in the throat, particularly when talking or swallowing food. You may also experience dry throat, swelling in the glands and/or tonsils and a hoarse or muffled voice, according to the Mayo Clinic.
At-Home Remedies
There are many options available to soothe a sore throat at home, including throat lozenges, pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, gargling salt water, and soothing drinks like caffeine-free teas, warm water with honey or broths, according to the Mayo Clinic. If a child older than toddler age has the sore throat, you can also consider using an anesthetic throat gargle to kill germs and bacteria--just make sure the child doesn't swallow it.
Treatments
The most commonly administered medication for sore throats, according to the Mayo Clinic, is penicillin taken orally. Other medications, like amoxicillin and penicillin shots, are also options depending on your condition. However, you can also treat your specific condition with allergy medications, adding a humidifier to your home, avoiding irritants, or lessening the strain on your throat during the day, depending on the cause of the soreness.
Warning
There are certain times when a sore throat, accompanied by other warning signs, requires a trip to the doctor's office. Don't hesitate to visit a hospital or call your doctor if your child is drooling excessively, or if you or anyone else is suffering from a fever higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit, pus at the back of the throat, a red rash, severe trouble swallowing or breathing, or swollen lymph glands, according to Medline Plus.