How To Heal a Sore Throat After Throwing Up

Being sick is bad enough. But sometimes, even once you feel better, you’re left with unwelcome, uncomfortable reminders of your illness — like a painful sore throat from vomiting.

Why your throat hurts after throwing up

“Throwing up takes a toll on your esophagus, the hollow tube that carries food from your throat down to your stomach,” explains family medicine doctor Charles Garven, MD.

The forceful motion of vomiting and the stomach acid that travels up and down your throat during the process can both contribute to esophagitis, painful inflammation of the esophagus.

Here’s a closer look at how vomiting can cause a sore throat:

• Irritation: The force of throwing up taxes your esophagus. “The esophagus is a muscle like any other, so stretching, pushing or contracting it in a way it’s not used to can aggravate it and cause significant pain,” Dr. Garven explains.
• Stomach acid: The lining of your stomach is built to handle the acid inside it. But when that acid makes it outside your stomach, it can cause a painful burning feeling.
• Small tears: Throwing up can cause tiny tears in the esophagus, which can be understandably painful. “Think of it like a paper cut in a particularly sensitive area,” Dr. Garven illustrates.
• Dryness: After you’ve been vomiting, having a dry throat afterward can feel especially painful.

Occasionally, you can vomit with so much force that you actually damage your esophagus, Dr. Garven notes. Make an appointment with a healthcare provider if:

• Your symptoms last for several days
• You have trouble swallowing or breathing
• You can’t keep down fluids

“If you see blood in your vomit, that always warrants a visit with a provider,” he stresses. In rare cases, blood or severe pain could mean you’re dealing with an emergency condition like a Mallory Weiss tear (a split in the inner layer of your esophagus) or a spontaneous rupture of the esophagus (Boerhaave's syndrome).

What helps a sore throat after throwing up?

If you’re dealing with run-of-the-mill throat pain after a bout of vomiting, there are steps you can take to find some relief. Here’s how to soothe what ails you.

1. Gargle with saltwater

“Gargling with saltwater can help reduce inflammation,” Dr. Garven says. “It also has an antibacterial aspect that may help prevent infection.”

To do it, stir a teaspoon of salt into a pint glass of warm or room temperature water (not too hot or too cold). Gargle some of the water in the back of your throat, then swish it around in your mouth before spitting it out in the sink.

Don’t drink any of the saltwater, which can further upset your stomach and contribute to dehydration.

2. Drink tea

Herbal tea is always a good go-to for a sore throat.

“Warm liquids like teas can provide a soothing sensation,” Dr. Garven says. “Just make sure it’s not too hot.”

Teas to try include:

• Echinacea
• Elderberry
• Hibiscus
• Peppermint
• Spearmint

3. Try honey

Have you ever tried honey for a sore throat from strep or allergies? It can also help soothe the pain of esophagitis.

“Honey is an easy home remedy that has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and other properties, all of which can be helpful,” Dr. Garven points out.

You can add up to 1 teaspoon of honey to warm water or tea, or you can swallow it on its own, straight from the spoon. (Just remember, never to give honey to children under 1.)

4. Avoid things that make it worse

Just as important as what you do is what you don’t do.

“Generally, the best strategy is to avoid food and drinks that are hot, temperature-wise, as well as anything spicy or acidic,” Dr. Garven advises.

That means that while your esophagus is healing, it’s best to skip things like chili peppers, caffeine, orange juice and hot coffee. They can all make your throat feel worse and get in the way of your recovery.

5. Take an over-the-counter (OTC) painkiller

OTC medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) can help lessen some of the pain of post-vomiting esophagitis. A phenol throat spray can also relieve minor pain and irritation by temporarily numbing the affected area.

Always be sure to follow dosing instructions on the packaging.

6. Rest!

These tips can help alleviate your pain. But for the most part, only time and rest can truly help heal a sore throat after throwing up. So, take it easy and do your best to be patient.

How long does it take to heal?

Mild esophagitis lasts just a few days, but it can take up to a few weeks for your throat to get back to feeling normal.

“It depends on how badly inflamed and irritated your esophagus is,” Dr. Garven says. “Once you’ve stopped throwing up, the healing process can begin.”