Relieving throat pain

How to Treat a Swollen Uvula with Home Remedies

Max. D Gray
By Max. D Gray. Updated: August 29, 2017
How to Treat a Swollen Uvula with Home Remedies

The uvula is the fleshy hanging bit in your throat and it has two main roles. The uvula's first function is to prevent bacteria from entering our bodies. Its second function is to aid speech. The inflammation of the uvula is not a very common condition and can be caused by many factors. Although is quite a harmless condition, it can cause a lot of discomfort to the person suffering it. If you are suffering from a cold or an allergy and your also notice your uvula swollen, read this oneHOWTO article and learn about all the ins and outs on how to treat a swollen uvula with home remedies.

You may also be interested in: Can Ice Cream Soothe Your Sore Throat?
Contents
  1. Always take anti-inflammatories
  2. Gargle with salt
  3. Tea and honey
  4. Known herbal remedies
  5. Find the source of the problem
  6. Precautions
  7. Always visit a specialis

Always take anti-inflammatories

Though there may be many good home remedies to treat a swollen uvula, at oneHOWTO we advise you to combine them with common anti-inflammatories, such as Ibuprofen. This will help reduce the pain and inflammation so that you feel much better.

How to Treat a Swollen Uvula with Home Remedies - Always take anti-inflammatories

Gargle with salt

Twice daily, gargle with some warm water with a teaspoon of salt dissolved in it. Thanks the high content in iodine, salt is a good anti-inflammatory. Moreover, it will also help control any infections that can appear while your uvula is swollen.

How to Treat a Swollen Uvula with Home Remedies - Gargle with salt

Tea and honey

An important step is to always keep hydrated. Why? Because if the uvula is swollen and irritated, you will continuously feel that your uvula is dry. By not drinking enough liquid, you'll make the problem worse. It is therefore important to drink warm teas, especially tea with a spoonful of honey, as honey has antimicrobial properties that will help you reduce the swelling throat fast. Remember to drink at least two liters of water per day.

How to Treat a Swollen Uvula with Home Remedies - Tea and honey

Known herbal remedies

Some home remedies like using belladonna or wormwood, are particularly good to relieve certain throat problems, such as the symptoms of uvula inflammation and irritation. This plant has been used since the Middle ages for pain relief and for cosmetic purposes. However, eating just a few berries of the belladonna plant can be lethal to humans. In a herbalist's, you will be able to find more information about this.

This is why we strongly advise you to use other home remedies. The first and most effective is to drink a glass of onion juice. Though it may sound a bit disgusting, the antiseptic properties of onion will help reduce possible infection. The same properties apply to garlic, which is the reason why you can easily crush some garlic and swallow it to reduce redness.

Find the source of the problem

If the symptoms of your swollen uvula are due to an allergic reaction, it is important to pinpoint what has caused the allergic reaction and take antihistamines to control the problem. You should visit your doctor if you think your swollen uvula is caused by an allergic reaction.

Precautions

While your uvula is swollen, it is important not to smoke, shout or raise your voice too much. You should also keep your neck protected from the cold, as sudden changes in temperature could worsen the problem.

How to Treat a Swollen Uvula with Home Remedies - Precautions

Always visit a specialis

If your uvula is still swollen, red, inflamed and irritated after three days of home remedy treatments; if you are in a lot of pain and have problems swallowing; or if you have noticed white marks that look a bit like pus, then you should go to see your physician or an ENT specialist. When the uvula is infected, you may need antibiotics or steroids that only a doctor can prescribe. Take a look at the reasons why you have a swollen uvula to pinpoint the possible cause.

This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to How to Treat a Swollen Uvula with Home Remedies, we recommend you visit our Family health category.

Tips

  • Honey and garlic are two useful ingredients that can help relieve pain and fight any possible infections.
Write a comment
What did you think of this article?
8 comments
Enya
Onion and garlic is crazy advice. It's both of those things that cause my inflammation in the first place.
OneHowTo Editor
Hi Enya,

We're sorry to hear that has happened in your case, but there are many medical studies which state otherwise. Results can never be completely conclusive, but it is generally believed that garlic and onion can be used as natural anti-inflammatories.
Enya
No. Onion and garlic causes my allergic reaction which makes my uvula swell. It's a fructose allergy. Seriously. That is really bad advice. The uvula can swell for many different reasons. To anyone reading this - If the reason your uvula is swollen is because of an allergy then DO NOT take onion or garlic. You need a steroid from the doctor to reduce it. If I ate onion again it'd swell so much I'd probably choke and die. That's like telling someone with a peanut allergy to soothe their throats with peanut butter. This might work if your swelling is not allergy related but be sure first. The Medical community needs to update their research fast.
OneHowTo Editor
Hi Enya,

While you are correct in saying that going to a doctor for prescribed medication is the best course of action, there is some confusion in what you say. While of course your particular allergy prohibits you from taking onion or garlic for a swollen uvula, this is not the case for those who don't have a pre-existing allergy to substances found therein. We didn't think it was necessary to say that if you have an allergy to either garlic or onion, then you shouldn't take them for a swollen uvula. If anyone reading this is unsure, then you certainly should't do so.
Andrew
I just got the swollen uvula yesterday without knowing, i ust realized today, and its really sore and it has a tiny red dot on it, and when i drink it hurts is it normal for that?
OneHowTo Editor
A spot or small cyst may have formed. Try not to drink or eat things that are too hot or cold and if you have tried these home remedies for your swollen uvula and they have not diminished pain within 24h, you should visit your GP so he/she can give you a proper diagnosis and be treated accordingly.

Hope this helps
Rating:
I woke up at 3 in the morning and threw up 4 times much uvlia is swollen and I want to die (im 13 btw)
I woke up at three in the morning and threw up 4 times and my uvlia is swollen (13 btw)
Rating:
Justin
Is it normal that it hurts to eat or drink?
OneHowTo Editor
It is normal if you have a swollen uvula. However, if the pain persists after 24h, make sure you visit a doctor.
Hope this helps
Rating:
Ash
I had a cold not even a month ago and started getting congested last night. Woke up to my uvula slapping the back of my tongue like a wet punching bag. It hurts but it's way more gross and annoying for me to care about any sort of pain. Gargled with warm salt water and brushed my teeth twice in a row. Downed a class of theraflu now I'm just hoping it'll shrink a little before work tonight because boy howdy it's distracting.
frank
can I cut off my swollen uvula?
OneHowTo Editor
It's not the most advisable idea in the World, no.
The Great Jude
Which Types Of Antibiotics Are Specified For Swollen Uvula Treatment.
Alba Charles (oneHOWTO editor)
You should always consult your doctor before taking any antibiotics. He/she will prescribe the best ones for your specific case.
Collin
My uvula is swollen and feels like there's something stuck in my throat. It's red and sore to swallow. I'm drinking a ton of homemade honey lemon tea and keeping hydrated. I was also told that rinsing my mouth with mouth wash was good. When should I worry and seek medical attention? Thanks.
OneHowTo Editor
Yes, the best thing you could do is visit your doctor who will be able to examine you and determine the cause for your swollen uvula.
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How to Treat a Swollen Uvula with Home Remedies