It is crucial to learn a few home remedies for certain illnesses and infections so that you are able to treat them yourself. For throat infections like streptococcus, it can be quite difficult to tell if the problem is with a throat symptom or some kind of viral infection as such.
Now if you cannot differentiate between the two, then it is difficult to treat the symptoms as well. But most of the time, such symptoms of strep are cured by antibiotics and some immunity-boosting home remedies.
You might not be able to do anything with the antibiotics, but when it comes to home remedies, you can do a lot about how you use them. Now if you wanna know about this strep throat self-care, then keep on reading this article.
Cause & Symptoms Of Strep Throat
It is well-known that strep is a common infection of the tonsils and throat, which is why it is also called group A Streptococcus bacteria or A Strep.
This particular variation of Strep is highly contagious, it can spread if you come in contact with the infected person’s sneeze and cough. This infection can spread if you use the same plate, utensils, or even the doorknob.
Some of the symptoms of a typical strep infection are discussed in the list below.
- Swollen and red tonsils.
- Difficulty swallowing and sore throat.
- A yellow or white colored coating on the tonsils and throat or red spots on roof of the mouth.
- 101 degrees Fahrenheit fever or above.
- Body ache or headache.
- Non-itchy red rashes are signs of scarlet fever. And it is a sign of serious bacterial infection.
- Swollen lymph nodes.
Diagnosis
To diagnose Strep throat, there are a few simple tests that your doctor needs to conduct. For a physical exam, there are a few signs and symbols that your physician would be looking for. But it is better to order any of these tests.
Molecular Test
This is a test that is done by doing a simple swab test of your throat.
Throat Culture
This is also a swab test, though it won’t hurt you, your gag reflex might get activated due to this.
Rapid Antigen Test
This is the first test the doctor is going to order, as this test can detect the minute of bacteria in your throat.
Lifestyle And Home Remedies For Strep Throat
There are different home remedies for strep throat self-care that is very important for your health and lifestyle as well. So to keep yourself healthy even when you are resting at home, here is some strep throat self-care that you can try out.
Supplements:
Here are a few supplements that you can try consuming, as they are only gonna boost your immune system and nothing more. And when such an infection occurs, it is important that you know how to take care of yourself.
Echinacea
When someone is dealing with a severe cold or any kind of infection, then researchers have suggested using a strong echinacea supplement. This immunity-boosting herb is great at stopping any bacterial spread in the throat.
The plant Echinacea is known to relieve pain that is related to most throat infections, such as strep throat. So it has a really good anti-inflammatory that really reduces the swelling in your tonsils and throat.
Elderberry
Another strep throat supplements that you should definitely try out as it has a really antiviral and antibacterial effect that reduces swelling and pain.
With Elderberry, you can cure a lot of other symptoms like respiratory problems during long plane rides.
There are many different ways you can consume elderberry, like in tea form, powder, or capsules as well.
Vitamin D
Researchers have seen that a deficiency in Vitamin D is related to respiratory infection now for years.
So it is very important to have a proper intake of vitamin D in your system, as it strengthens the immune system and is also antimicrobial.
The International Journal of Infectious Diseases said that the deficiency of vitamin D in your body can cause certain respiratory problems, such as Strep throat.
Vitamin C
It is well known that Vitamin C is used to boost your immune system and, at the same time, repair any type of tissue damage in your body.
So if you take about 1,000 mg of Vitamin C to fight any incoming infection and 4,000 mg to fight off ongoing symptoms.
Food supplements such as strawberry, kiwi, grapefruit, kale, and orange are great sources of vitamin C. So on a daily basis, consumption of these is great for your immune system.
Food & Drinks:
Other than taking supplements, there are certain food and drink materials that are great for curing any symptoms of strep throat in your body. So if you wanna know who they are, then keep on scrolling through the article to find out.
Bone Broth
Have you ever tasted bone broth? If not, then you should definitely try it out. Bone broth provides you with all the necessary minerals and nutrients and, at the same time, keeps you hydrated.
If you are suffering from tonsils or sore throat, bone broth is the perfect drink that you can consume to cure your swelling and pain of any kind. Bone broth usually contains minerals like magnesium, calcium, sulfur, silicon, and phosphorus.
Raw Honey
If you take a dose of raw honey on a daily basis, then it helps to raise antioxidants in your body. And an increased level of antioxidants in your body helps to boost your immune system.
At the same time, it soothes any type of sore throat or symptoms of strep throat in your body. The thick raw honey has healing properties because of its antibacterial activity. It applies a thick coat of barrier to prevent any spread of infection.
Apple Cider Vinegar
One of the easiest and most effective ways of boosting your immune system and curing your sore and strep throat systems is by consuming apple cider vinegar.
It has healing properties, such as acetic acids, that are used to kill toxic bacteria and helps the growth of good bacterias.
Apple cider vinegar acts like a natural antibiotic since it contains acetic acid that destroys unwanted bacteria.
Herbal Tea
If you are a tea drinker, then you should try drinking herbal tea, as it is great at soothing sore and strep throat systems. At the same time, it reduces any pain and inflammation that you might be suffering from.
Two types of herbal tea, chamomile, and dandelion tea, are two great options for reducing pain, swelling, redness, and strep throat symptoms as well.
What You Should Do:
Other than consuming certain food substances and supplements, here are a few things that you can try out to soothe any symptoms of sore or strep throat, and lead a healthy lifestyle.
Try Oil Pulling
Have you ever tried the technique of oil pulling? If you haven’t, then if you have strep throat, it is one of the best techniques to reduce bacterial growth in your mouth. Oil pulling is a great technique for taking oral health if you are suffering from a strep throat infection.
The technique of strep throat is very easy to follow, you just have to consume 1 or 2 tablespoons of oil, preferably coconut oil. Keep it in your mouth for about ten minutes, then spit it out and rinse and brush your mouth properly.
The reason why coconut is the preferred oil for the oil pulling technique is that it detoxes the mouth and creates a germ-free and clean environment in the mouth.
Gargle With Himalayan Salt
With any type of throat infection, the best thing you can do at home is gargle to soothe and reduces any type of swelling and pain in your throat. Other than gargling with plain lukewarm water, add one or two spoons of pink Himalayan salt to your water.
That way, the salt in your water increases the pH balance inside your mouth and creates an alkaline atmosphere that is hard for bacteria to survive.
Also, the use of Himalayan salt is suggested as it is great. It improves the respiratory condition since it is an antibacterial agent.
Since Himalayan pink salt has anti-inflammatory agents, it is quite helpful in removing any bacterial pathogens from inside the mouth when you are gargling or swallowing.
Try Essential Oils
If you are someone who uses essential oils, then you should definitely use essential oils for the purpose of curing strep throat symptoms in your mouth. The particular essential oil listed below.
Lemon Oil
When it comes to using essential oils, then surely lemon oil is somewhere on the top of the list. Lemon oils are great at cleansing the body of any toxic and antibacterial substance.
Research has shown that lemon oil is very effective in limiting bacterial growth by producing antibacterial resistance strains.
The best way of using lemon oil is if you add about 1-2 drops in a warm or cool glass of water. You can also add a few drops to your herbal tea as well, for that extra kick of immunity.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is really good for any sore throat-related infection or pain, as it cures any type of swelling quite easily and fast. This oil contains a cooling substance that really calms and soothes the body.
This is why peppermint is a very useful essential oil for curing any type of throat infection. If you don’t know how to use peppermint oil, then add about 1 to 2 drops of it to your water and drink it up.
Or you can also add the drops on your toothpaste before brushing when using it internally. But if you are using it externally, then drop a few drops on your throat, temple, or chest and rub it in gently.
Thyme Oil
To boost your respiratory and immune system, another essential oil that you can use is Thyme oil. It is a great way of treating strep throat at home.
According to a 2011 published test in Medical Chemistry, the effects of thyme oil were tested on 120 bacteria strains. The result showed a strong effect against all the strains and also provided antibiotic resistant strains.
To Prevent Infection Spreading
Once you are infected with strep throat, as proper strep throat self-care is very important, or it can quite easily spread from one person to another. So here are a few preventive measures that you can take to stop the spread of infection.
Wash Your Hands
It is a no-brainer that when you are already suffering from a viral infection, you should keep yourself clean as much as possible to stop the spread.
So washing your hands with soap and water is a must. It is even better to use antibacterial soap and hand wash to properly wash your hands.
And if you want, you can very easily make your own homemade soap by using castile soap and any of the essential oils such as peppermint, thyme, or lemon essential oil. They will act as an extra layer of protection against bacterial spread.
Avoid Contact
Strap throat is a very contagious disease, so it is important that you avoid any type of contact at all costs.
The strep infection usually spreads through sneezing, coughing, or even using the same utensils and other things. So it is better to stay in isolation for a couple of days while you have the infection.
Replace Your Toothbrush
To minimize any further spread of the disease, it is important that you change your toothbrush immediately after contracting the infection. Then change again when you are free of the infection so that you don’t contract it again.
Wrapping Up!
Strep throat is one of those contagious infections that you simply can’t ignore, as it is not gonna get cured on its own without any care or attention.
So if you have contracted strep throat infection, then it is important that you take proper. Other than taking medication and consulting a doctor, there are excellent homemade strep throat self care techniques that you can utilize. Now if you think that this article was helpful and informative for you, then definitely give this article a like and comment down below.
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