Does ice cream really help relieve sore throats?
According to Dr. Jayant Thakuria, Internal Medicine Specialist at Apollo Hospital, Guwahati (India), sore throat is a common symptom caused by many different reasons such as viral infections, bacteria, allergies, dry air or exposure to stimulants such as smoke, dust and tobacco.
When you have a sore throat, your throat will become inflamed, red, or even swollen, causing difficulty swallowing and an unpleasant itchy, says Dr. Thakuria.
Although ice cream is not a treatment, it can help temporarily relieve sore throats. The cold temperature from the ice cream helps numb the throat lining, thereby reducing pain and inflammation. The smooth texture of ice cream is also easier to swallow and less irritating than dry or spicy foods, he added.
However, not all creams are suitable. Doctor recommends choosing soft creams with a mild flavor like vanilla. Scalp products containing lemon, chocolate or crispy, broken nuts should be avoided because they can easily damage the throat.
Proper care for sore throat
cream may be a comfortable choice, but it cannot replace adequate treatment for sore throats. According to Dr. Thakuria's recommendation, patients, especially young children, need to receive careful and comprehensive care to recover quickly:
Drink plenty of warm water, herbal tea or diluted stock to keep your throat moist.
Linch your mouth with diluted salt water several times a day to reduce inflammation.
Use a humidifier in the room to avoid the air getting too dry.
Limit talking, singing or screaming to avoid straining the laryngos.
Take a throat spray or painkiller if necessary, but follow your doctor's instructions.
In addition, avoid letting children inhale secondhand smoke, which is a factor that causes prolonged sore throat. If symptoms such as fever, severe pain, or shortness of breath appear, you need to go to the hospital for timely examination and treatment.
