Have you ever woken up with an irritated or scratchy throat, but don’t feel sick? Sore throats can be caused by a wide range of conditions ranging from seasonal allergies, to environmental irritants and even illnesses like the flu or strep throat. If your sore throat is your only symptoms, it may leave you wondering what is causing it. Keep reading to learn more about common causes of a sore throat during the winter months and how to treat and prevent sore throats moving forward.
If you’re experiencing a sore throat, walk into AFC West Long Branch. Our walk-in urgent care clinic. Our board-certified medical providers are available 7 days a week to provide patients near West Long Branch, NJ with same-day care for sore throats and other illness symptoms.
Common Causes of Sore Throat
Sore throats occur when your airway becomes irritated. This can happen for a wide variety of reasons. Identifying the underlying cause is the best way to treat your sore throat and prevent it from coming back in the future.
Dry Air
During the colder months, one of the most common causes of a mild sore throat is exposure to dry air. Our ways need to stay lubricated, and when humidity decreases in our environment it can have a negative effect on our health. During the winter months, indoor heating can lead to the air in your home becoming very dry, which may leave you suffering from an irritated throat in the morning.
Allergens or Irritants
Airborne irritants and allergens can also lead to a sore throat. If your sore throat is caused by an airborne irritant, you may notice that your sore throat flares up or appears when you go outside or in a specific area. Allergens like pollen and irritants like smoke are both common causes of a sore throat.
Vocal Strain
Vocal strain can also lead to a mild sore throat. Spending time in a loud setting like a bar or concert may require you to raise your voice and yell to communicate. This can put access strain on your vocal cords and lead to a sore throat due to overuse.
When to Seek Medical Care for a Sore Throat
Sore throats can be caused by a multitude of conditions. If your sore throat is mild and not accompanied by other symptoms, it may resolve on its own with time. However, if your sore throat is severe and you are experiencing other illness symptoms such as a fever, a cough or congestion - you should seek medical care for treatment. Your medical provider will be able to diagnose the underlying cause of your symptoms to help you get on the road to recovery and prevent sore throats from happening in the future.
Visit AFC West Long Branch for Same-Day Sore Throat Treatment
If you’re experiencing a sore throat without any additional symptoms, there are a variety of conditions that could cause your symptoms. If your sore throat won’t go away or is severe, AFC Urgent Care West Long Branch can help. Our clinic has a lab on-site for rapid diagnostic testing service. Based on the results, our board-certified medical provider will create a treatment plan to treat the underlying cause of your symptoms to get you on the road to recovery. Our clinic accepts walk-in patients and is open daily, including on weekends. Simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for you!
