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Soda solution for gargling throat adults, children, in pregnancy: for sore throat and sore throat

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
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Often in the cold season we face the problem of a sore throat. If there are no other symptoms, especially high temperature, we begin to treat ourselves at home - gargle. Most people, as a rule, prepare a soda solution for gargling. But does gargling with soda help? Let's try to figure out how it works.

Indications for the procedure

If you feel pain when swallowing, you need to examine your throat in front of a mirror. If the tonsils are enlarged, reddened, covered with a white coating or have purulent plugs, then it is angina. In this case, you cannot do without a doctor. Angina is an infectious disease caused by pathogens such as bacteria, fungi or viruses, so a course of antibiotics is inevitable. But until the doctor arrives, you need to start gargling with a soda solution. What does this give for angina? Firstly, along with the white coating or purulent plugs, pathogenic organisms that caused the inflammation are washed away. Secondly, an unfavorable alkaline environment is created for the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms. Thirdly, soda softens the throat tissue and the pain becomes less noticeable.

Gargling with soda is used for coughs caused by upper respiratory tract infections. It helps to drain and remove phlegm from the body.

Often, a sore throat, pain, and discomfort when swallowing are caused by acute or chronic inflammation of the mucous membrane and lymphoid tissue of the pharynx. This disease is called pharyngitis. In this case, gargling is very effective, but the use of soda should be approached with great caution. On the one hand, the soda solution mechanically cleanses the throat of pathogenic bacteria and acts as an antiseptic, on the other hand, it dries out the mucous membrane, thins it and makes it defenseless against other infections. Therefore, it is better to resort to gargling with furacilin or chlorophyllipt.

Gargling with soda for sore throat is a very effective procedure, as it disinfects the surface of the throat and mouth, removes mucus, heals small wounds, neutralizes the negative effects of acids, eliminates irritation and pain.

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Preparation

Preparation for gargling consists of preparing a solution. It is necessary to observe the proportions and temperature conditions. The water should be warm, not necessarily boiled. Cold or too hot liquid can only do harm. In addition to soda, salt is also added. A solution for gargling with salt and soda is prepared in the following proportion: half a teaspoon of each ingredient is placed in a glass of warm water. Everything is stirred until completely dissolved. How to prepare soda for gargling? If only soda is used, then a teaspoon for the same volume of water is enough. If the solution has cooled slightly, it can be heated in a water bath.

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Technique gargle with baking soda

The technique for rinsing is as follows: you need to take the prepared solution in your mouth, throw your head back and try to pronounce the sound "a". As a result, a bubbling sound will appear, the liquid will bubble in your throat. The duration of the procedure should be at least 30 seconds. If you rinse for too long, irritation may occur. The optimal number of such procedures is 5-6 per day. If you feel very unwell, their number can be increased, but an interval of 2 hours should be observed. The mechanism for rinsing the throat with soda and salt is the same: a freshly prepared warm solution is taken into the mouth and rinsing is performed with your head thrown back. To enhance the antiseptic and healing effect, add a few drops of iodine to such rinsing.

Gargling with soda, salt and iodine should not be done too often, because iodine dries out the mucous membrane of the throat. It is also necessary to be careful that the solution does not get inside. If children have painful sensations in the throat, they should consult a doctor to establish a correct diagnosis and receive qualified medical care.

Gargling with soda will reduce swelling of the mucous membrane and reduce pain. To irrigate a small child's throat with a soda solution, you can use a spray bottle or inhaler. You need to ask him to open his mouth, stick out his tongue and breathe deeply. The solution should be weakly concentrated so as not to harm the baby's health. You need to spray it in such a way as to hit the back of the throat. Older children should be taught by example.

Gargling with soda during pregnancy is not contraindicated, except that in the early stages it can increase the gag reflex. If the pregnant woman does not experience toxicosis, then gargling with soda is not prohibited.

Contraindications to the procedure

There are practically no contraindications to the procedure of gargling with soda. You should not resort to it in case of serious damage to the mucous membrane of the mouth or larynx due to burns or radiation. In case of oncological disease of these organs, it is necessary to consult a doctor about the advisability of gargling with soda. The procedure should be carried out with caution by patients with stomach ulcers to avoid getting into the stomach.

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Consequences after the procedure

The consequences after the rinsing procedure are favorable, the patient feels significant relief, the burning and sore throat, pain are reduced, expectoration of excess secretion is enhanced. This is especially noticeable in the acute phase of the disease.

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Complications after the procedure

In some cases, complications after the procedure are possible. Rinsing can lead to overdrying of the mucous membrane, which increases pain and redness of the throat. These symptoms are a signal to stop the procedure. Soda does not cause allergic reactions, so there should be no complications in the form of hives or swelling.

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Care after the procedure

After gargling, you should refrain from eating or drinking, otherwise the treatment will not be effective. When soda or another solution gets on the walls of the larynx, it coats them, preventing bacteria from multiplying. Only after 20-30 minutes can you eat or drink something.

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Reviews

Most people's first thought when they experience pain when swallowing, a sore throat, or swelling is to gargle with a soda, salt, or combination solution. Therefore, there are no other positive reviews about this folk treatment. This recipe is known to everyone since childhood, and only people who have a gag reflex when gargling do not resort to it.

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