According to Dr. Rowan, otolaryngology assistant professor at Johns Hopkins Medicine Baltimore, Tonsillitis occurs every year especially during the flu and cold seasons1.
But, the good news is, there are home remedies for tonsils that you may use in every outbreak.
Its caused by attacks on the tonsils by bacteria or viruses.2 The same viruses that cause common cold and flu are responsible for tonsillitis.
Antibiotic medicines can help treat tonsillitis as they can prevent complications or reduce inflammation3. But, there are home remedies and natural ways on how to cure tonsillitis without spending a dime.
Tell me the best way to treat tonsillitis in 4 hours
If you are experiencing severe throat pain or throat irritation because of a severe tonsillitis, you should take an NSAID that helps reduce inflammation. After a thorough medical evaluation a painkiller or medication can be taken quickly to ease sore throats triggered by tonsillitis.
However, a lot of drugs may also cause side effects4 . Its advisable to focus on home remedies and natural ways to cure tonsillitis fast.
How long does it take for a tonsillitis to disappear without antibiotics?
You may treat tonsillitis due to strep throat by antibiotics because the infection causes more problems. When you use these method of treatment, you should see noticeable improvement in your symptoms in the initial 72 hour period5.
Depending on the patient’s condition they can get a full recovery within 3-4 days without taking any medication6.
How long does tonsillitis last?
Tonsils are a part of the immune system that helps your body fight infections6. They are lymph tissues in a ball-like shape behind the tongue in the throat.
Tonsillitis symptoms will disappear within 3-4 days, while the entire infection without treatment may last for 4-10 days before it disappears7.
What is the best treatment for tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis is treated based on its cause. There is tonsillitis caused by viral or bacterial infection. In incidences when the infection is bacterial, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics.
The most common antibiotic used is penicillin which is taken for 10 days8. You may also consider using natural ways to cure tonsillitis without drugs or by using natural antibiotics.
Can I cure tonsillitis on my own?
Yes9, the most common causes of tonsillitis are colds and flu viruses. These are conditions which you can easily handle at home. Naturally, if your immunity is strong, you will recover without treatment within 7 days.
But, if you have a weak immune system, you may consider using home remedies for cold flu that will work best with your viral and bacterial infections. Consequently, work on natural ways to improve your immune system at home.
What causes tonsillitis?
Both viral and bacterial tonsillitis are caused by different pathogens. The most common agents include10:
- Measles virus
- Adenoviruses
- Cytomegalovirus
- The prominent bacteria responsible its cause is strep or streptococcus
What triggers off tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis is triggered by a compromised immune system followed by a bacterial or viral attack. Other health conditions like cold flu may also trigger tonsillitis attacks11 .
How long does it take for tonsillitis to go away?
The time that tonsillitis takes to go away depends on your health. Some individuals will recover within one week without any medication. Some patients will take longer and might go through surgery to remove the swollen tonsils12.
However, with other factors held in check, tonsillitis can only take four to ten days to go away. The time may be shortened further if you use treatments and remedies for tonsillitis13.
Can I cure tonsillitis myself?
You can quickly treat inflamed tonsils yourself with home remedies, natural antibiotics, and foods that improve the immune system. But, it would be best if you considered that there are no other health conditions that may hinder your recovery.
Can you get rid of tonsillitis without antibiotics?
It’s possible to cure tonsillitis without antibiotics. Inflammation of the tonsils results from viral or bacterial attacks in your body. There are natural ways to cure tonsillitis without drugs and improve your body’s immune system that will aid your body in fighting bacterial infections without using antibiotics.
What kills tonsillitis fast?
Different treatment procedures depend on your symptoms of tonsillitis. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics that may work within a few days or recommend surgery in extreme cases13.
Others may recommend medicated throat lozenges or mouth humidifiers; these may help kill tonsillitis fast. For chronic tonsillitis, strong anti inflammatory drugs may be used for instant relief14.
What is the fastest way to cure tonsillitis?
Several ways may help you cure tonsillitis fast. But, they are not effective for your overall health like home remedies for tonsils; these include:
- Anti-inflammatory prescribed drugs. You may consider using ibuprofen to reduce the inflamed tonsils14.
- You may use honey with warm water to reduce the itchy throat sensation and reduce swelling. Honey has antibacterial properties that will also help your body fight strep bacteria.
- You may also gargle warm salt water. Adding 8 ounces of Himalayan rock salt and gurgling for a few seconds may help reduce the sore throat and pain caused by tonsillitis.
- Warm teas, especially teas made from ginger, cinnamon, and other anti-inflammatory herbs, may help reduce inflammation, fight the bacteria, and soothe soreness in your throat15.
- The use of a treated humidifier may also help if the area around your home and mouth has dry air. You may use steam bath or hot shower if you don’t have humidifiers. you may drink warm water for dry air in the mouth.
- You may also use cold foods for kids to reduce soreness, and soothe irritation.
- Over-the-counter throat sprays can also be used for immediate relief. Throat sprays contain antiseptic, and anesthetic medications that treat tonsils16.
How quickly can tonsillitis be cured?
The period of recovery from tonsillitis depends on several factors. These factors may include the cause, viral or bacterial attacks, the kind of remedies or regimen you are using, and your general state of health.
But, generally, the condition may take up to three days if you are using antibiotics and can take up to one week if you don’t use any prescribed antibiotic.
Can you beat tonsillitis without antibiotics?
It’s not a must you use antibiotics when you have inflamed tonsils. If it is due to a viral infection, you can easily overcome it without drugs. You can also use home remedies to boost your immunity and fight swelling in your body.
Can tonsillitis be permanent?
If you doesn’t treat tonsillitis, it may develop into a peritonsillar abscess17. This will cause recurrent infection of the tonsils. These abscesses are biofilms filled with microorganisms that have developed antibiotic resistance. Some studies poise that recurrent tonsillitis may be due to the genetic make-up of an individual18.
Why does tonsillitis keep coming back?
Recurrent cases of tonsillitis are often experienced in childhood. But other studies poise that strep germ often tricks the body’s immunity against itself, sustaining its existence in the body.
A compromised immune system may also contribute to the re-infection of the tonsils19. When the body’s immunity is weak, several infections and bacterial attacks will enter your body.
A medically reviewed study suggested that tonsillitis may be recurrent due to biofilms formed by microorganisms on the tonsils, which have developed resistance to antibiotics20.
This is why it’s advisable to use natural antibiotics and foods with antibacterial properties to help you clear off these resistant strains of germs.
Can you cure tonsillitis without antibiotics?
Sure you can. However, you have to consider the cause and critically analyze the state of your condition. If the attack is bacterial, you need some antibiotics to fight the strep germ but if it’s viral, you may recover within one week21.
You must not use drugs every time you become ill, improve the quality of your health, work on your body’s immunity and enhance your diet with an alkaline foods diet that will resist bacterial and viral growth in your system.
Can tonsillitis go away in a day?
Not at all; with antibiotics, the symptoms like sore throat and pain may go away in a day, but the entire condition will disappear after a few days. You can use cool air humidifier22, medicated lozenges and salt water to provide relief from the symptoms of tonsillitis.
How long does it take for tonsillitis to go away on its own?
Tonsillitis often clears up within three to four days from the first appearance of tonsillitis symptoms. The period may be longer depending on your health condition. For tonsillitis due to viral attacks, the symptoms are mild.
How do you get rid of tonsillitis in 24 hours?
It’s not easy to get rid of tonsillitis within 24 hours. But, you may significantly reduce the symptoms like sore throat and the pain due to the inflamed tonsils.
You may consider the following to help you relieve the soreness and tonsillitis pain within 24 hours: If you choose surgical removal at outpatient procedure treatment methods then you may get rid of tonsillitis in 24 hours. Other ways include:
Avoid straining your voice
When you have inflammation of the tonsils, straining your voice or opening the mouth may result in pain. By avoiding speaking aloud or opening your mouth often, you will soothe the pain and soreness in your throat.
Take antibiotics
Prescribed antibiotics like penicillin may help with bacterial infections, but you may consider natural antibiotics that may work better without side effects22.
Herbal teas
Warm tea has several antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon will help reduce soreness and fight bacteria and viruses23.
You may sweeten the teas with honey which is also medicinal packed with antibacterial properties24. These warm beverages have antimicrobial properties to reduce the incidences of dry mouth providing relief.
What helps tonsillitis go away faster?
Drink a lot of fluids
Hydration in the body is vital in helping the body immunity to fight against diseases and infections. Drinking enough water is more than just apart of the home remedies for tonsils. Drinking a lot of fluids like soup and herb teas will reduce irritation due to the swelling and soreness.25
Honey and glyceride in these teas will help form a protective layer over the mucous membranes in the throat. Drinking warm liquids sweetened with honey may ease sore throat pain.26
Avoid crunchy or hard foods
Foods like biscuits, crackers, and potato chips may scratch your throat, causing further irritation and sore throat. Choose soft foods that will not irritate your sore throat further27.
Get sufficient rest
Sufficient night’s sleep if the most readily available home remedy for tonsils. It takes just a matter of decision and proper planning your activities to allow a good nights sleep.
Antibiotics may not treat tonsils caused by viruses. With these infections, the body often fights the pathogens through the help of body immunity.
Resting will help improve the activity of your immune system, and you will cure tonsillitis faster without drugs28.
Summary on home remedies for tonsils
The information contained in this article is compiled from medically reviewed and Healthline media websites. However, these home remedies for tonsils should not take the place of your clinical advice
These credible remedies and practices may help you with instant pain relief and reduce swelling and symptoms of tonsillitis.
If your symptoms are recurrent and you experience difficulty speaking, fever, difficulty swallowing and chills then you should seek advice from wellness professionals.