How to Soothe Throat & Esophageal Ulcers at Home + When to See a Doctor

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Discover the causes, symptoms, treatments, and prognosis of ulcers in your throat and esophagus

Co-authored by Dan Hickey Medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Last Updated: July 3, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Managing & Treating Throat Ulcers
|
• Recognizing & Treating Esophageal Ulcers
|
• Video
|
• Warnings

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If that irritating pain in your throat is starting to feel like more than just a cold symptom, you might just have a small ulcer on your hands. Throat ulcers often feel like a lump in your throat and cause pain while you're swallowing. Although they're uncomfortable, they're also treatable! Whether yours is caused by an infection, an injury, or a lifestyle habit, there are a variety of home remedies and medical treatments you and your doctor can use to soothe pain and heal your throat. In this article, we’ll show you exactly what to do to put your throat or esophageal ulcers in the past—let’s get started!

How to Treat Ulcers in Your Throat at Home

• Treat any underlying cause with anti-virals, antibiotics, or anti-fungals.
• Take OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen to ease pain and swelling.
• Gargle with a warm saltwater solution or a numbing mouthwash for 30 seconds to fight pain.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Managing & Treating Throat Ulcers

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1. 1
   Gargle warm saltwater to ease pain and discomfort. Make a saltwater solution of 1 teaspoon (6 g) of baking soda, 1 teaspoon (5 g) of salt, and 4 cups (950 ml) of warm water. Gargle with the mixture for at least 30 seconds and then spit it out.

   • Gargle with saltwater as often as you like. For example, if you have severe ulcers or frequent pain, gargle every 1 to 2 hours.
2. 2
   Brush your teeth and tongue within 30 minutes of every meal. If the throat ulcer is causing bad breath or your ulcer was caused by a bacterial or fungal infection, spend a little more time brushing your teeth than normal. Use a soft toothbrush and remember to brush your tongue from back to front to remove bacteria that linger between your taste buds.
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3. 3
   Opt for warm, room-temperature, or cold drinks over hot beverages. Hot beverages can irritate the ulcer, causing your pain to worsen. They can also prolong the healing process, since they aggravate the ulcer. Instead, opt for warm or cold drinks that are soothing, like tea with honey, smoothies, or tepid water. Try sucking on icicles or ice cubes for relief, too.

   • For example, you could start your morning with warm tea rather than scalding hot coffee. Over time, these small changes will speed up your healing time.
4. 4
   Adjust your diet to include more smooth, mild foods. Instead of eating crunchy foods that scratch your throat, like chips, or spicy foods that cause irritation, eat smooth foods that are easy to swallow. Try things like soups, milkshakes, smoothies, oatmeal, or soft eggs. This helps prevent further irritation and worsening of the throat ulcer.

   • If the ulcer makes you more sensitive to heat, eat warm or cold foods instead of hot foods. Cold dairy products, like milk, are especially soothing.
   • Try adding in mild foods that also help absorb stomach acid, like rice, whole grain bread, and potatoes.
5. 5
   Stay away from caffeine and irritating foods. Unfortunately, caffeine, chocolate, mint, citrus, hot spices, and fried or fatty foods can all aggravate your throat ulcer. Luckily, these are easy to avoid—just cut out these foods until your ulcer heals. Wait until your throat is completely healed before reintroducing them to your diet, as they could cause the ulcer to worsen.
6. 6
   Cut out all smoking and alcohol consumption. These activities can cause inflammation and irritation in your throat, so do your best to quit drinking, smoking, and chewing tobacco until the ulcer is fully healed. Remember that it’s not a permanent change! Drinking and smoking are OK once your ulcer is gone.

   • If you have recurring ulcers, you may need to consider quitting drinking and smoking permanently so you experience them less often.
7. 7
   Recognize all the possible signs of a throat ulcer. Since throat ulcers can be caused by several things, you may experience a variety of symptoms. If you have a throat ulcer or symptoms of other conditions, you might feel like there's a lump in your throat or that you need to cough in order to clear your throat. You may also experience:

   • An open wound or wounds on your soft or hard palate
   • A sore throat
   • Discomfort while eating or drinking
   • Fever and chills
   • Trouble swallowing or difficulty eating
   • Heartburn or chest pain
   • Bad breath
   • Nausea or vomiting
   • Red, inflamed, or white-filled bumps in your mouth or throat
   • Drooling, neck pain, or a decrease in appetite
8. 8
   Get a medical exam if your suspected ulcer doesn’t improve in 1-2 days. Call your doctor and schedule an appointment as soon as you can. They’ll do a physical exam and look at your throat—it’ll probably include a throat swab to check for bacteria and some blood or urine tests. The doctor may also order imaging tests to identify ulcers in your throat.

   • It's important to get medical treatment because your throat ulcer may be caused by an underlying medical condition that also needs treatment.
   • Imaging tests for throat ulcers include a computerized tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, or positron emission tomography (PET) scan.
9. 9
   Talk with your doctor about possible causes of the ulcer. Go over your medical history with the doctor so they can accurately diagnose the cause of the throat ulcer. With a proper diagnosis, the doctor can make an effective treatment plan. Throat ulcers can be caused by:

   • Gastrointestinal reflux (GERD)
   • Injury
   • Ingestion of corrosive agents
   • Excessive vomiting
   • Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy
   • Bacterial infections
   • Fungal infections such as thrush
   • Viral infections
   • Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
   • HIV
   • Inflammatory diseases
   • Excessive coughing or use of voice
10. 10
    Take medications prescribed by your doctor. Your treatment plan will depend on the cause of the ulcer. For example, if a viral infection is causing the ulcer, the doctor will prescribe antiviral medications. For bacterial or fungal infections, you'll get antibiotics or antifungals.

    • If your throat ulcer is caused by cancer treatment, like chemotherapy, the doctor may change your diet and talk with you about proper oral care. For example, you may need to brush your teeth and tongue 3-4 times a day and avoid eating spicy foods.
    • With the proper diagnosis and treatment, throat ulcers typically resolve within 2-3 weeks (you may even notice improvements after just a few days).
11. 11
    Rinse your mouth with a pain-relieving mouthwash. Ask your doctor for a prescription mouthwash that has a local anesthetic, such as lidocaine. This can numb your throat and temporarily relieve pain. Some prescription mouthwashes can reduce inflammation as well, which may speed the healing process.

    • Be sure to follow the directions for use because some lidocaine mouthwashes are meant to be swished and then swallowed.
12. 12
    Take over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs. Choose nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen (or medications containing these ingredients), or pain relievers containing acetaminophen. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and let your doctor know that you're taking OTC pain relievers so they don't interfere with your other medications.

    • OTC pain relievers can help you manage the pain of early ulcers and reduce the swelling and inflammation that makes them feel so irritating.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Recognizing & Treating Esophageal Ulcers

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1. 1
   Look for signs and symptoms of an esophageal ulcer. An esophageal ulcer forms in your esophagus, farther down than a throat ulcer but higher than your stomach. Pay attention to any pain you have when you swallow or pain you have near your chest. In addition to heartburn, signs of esophageal ulcers include:

   • Nausea or vomiting
   • Abdominal pain
   • Weight loss
   • Vomiting blood
2. 2
   Get tested as soon as possible to diagnose an esophageal ulcer. Contact your doctor for an exam if you have any signs of an esophageal ulcer. The doctor will perform a physical and then run tests to look inside your esophagus. You'll also need a blood test to determine if you have an esophageal infection.

   • To see inside your esophagus, the doctor may do an upper endoscopy. During the endoscopy, they'll insert a thin tube with a camera down your esophagus.
   • The doctor may also have you drink a barium solution so your throat appears in X-rays.
3. 3
   Take prescribed medications for the acid or infection that caused the ulcer. If your esophageal ulcer was caused by an infection, you'll need to take prescription antibiotics. For an ulcer caused by acid reflux, work with your doctor to manage your stomach acid production. The doctor may recommend:

   • Proton pump inhibitors (these reduce the amount of stomach acid made by glands in your stomach lining)
   • Antacids (these neutralize stomach acid to relieve heartburn and indigestion)
   • H-2-receptor blockers (these relieve symptoms of acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD))
4. 4
   Follow up with your doctor after a few weeks. It will take several weeks for the medication to treat the cause of your esophageal ulcer. Discuss the treatment timeline with your healthcare provider and set a date to connect by phone or with an in-person appointment. Your followup could be several weeks or even months after your initial visit.

   • The doctor might want to do another upper endoscopy to look at the site of the ulcer.
   • With proper care and treatment, an esophageal ulcer will heal after several weeks. Severe or untreated ulcers may persist for as long as 8-12 weeks.
5. 5
   Stop smoking and drinking alcohol while the ulcer is healing. These activities can inflame and irritate your esophageal ulcer as it heals, and possibly lead to future ulcers, too. If you don't want to completely quit smoking, just try to stop until the ulcer is completely healed.

   • Smoking and drinking may slow down your recovery time in addition to feeling painful or irritating.
   • If you get esophageal ulcers frequently, you may have to stop smoking and drinking permanently to avoid irritating or triggering new ulcers.
6. 6
   Keep a food diary to avoid foods that trigger acid reflux. If your esophageal ulcer was caused by excess stomach acid, pay attention to the foods that give you heartburn or nausea. Try to limit eating these foods so you don't develop another ulcer or make yours worse. They might include:

   • Spicy foods
   • Fried foods
   • Caffeine
   • Tomatoes, onions, and garlic
   • Citrus
   • Mint
7. 7
   Adjust your overall diet to prevent acid reflux. Eat a balanced diet of whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables while you're recovering from an esophageal ulcer. To prevent acid reflux from causing another ulcer, eat slower and try not to lie down for at least 3 hours after eating.

   • Focus on high-fiber foods like oatmeal or root vegetables, alkaline foods like bananas and nuts, and watery foods like celery or watermelon.
   • You might find that it's easier to eat several small meals throughout the day instead of 3 large ones.
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Warnings

• Visit your doctor or healthcare provider as soon as possible if your sore throat or throat ulcer don’t improve after 1-2 days of home treatment (especially if you have a fever as well).
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