Toddler Sore Throat: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment

Symptoms, Causes and Treatment for Sore Throat in Toddlers

When a toddler suffers from a common cold or influenza, it wouldn't be anything out of the ordinary if he comes to you complaining of a scratchy and painful throat, and if you find that his voice has gone hoarse or even become inaudible.

All this happens because the toddler has a sore throat, a condition in which there is an inflammation in the back of the throat.

Symptoms of Sore Throat in Toddlers

A toddler with a sore throat will also have various discomforting symptoms other than scratchiness and pain in throat, like, runny nose, headache, and fever. Sore throat is also accompanied by swelling and tenderness of the lymph glands, which are on the sides of the neck. When the problem reaches an acute stage, the toddler will also complain of pain while swallowing. The condition reaches a very painful stage when the infection spreads to nasal passages. In a few cases, symptoms also include rash and stomach pain.

Causes of Sore Throat in Toddlers

Sore throats are caused by the streptococcus bacteria. A toddler is likely to have sore throat when he has viral infections like common cold or flu, which are the most major causes of sore throat.

It's quite commonly found in toddlers as they usually want to put everything they lay their hands on into their mouths, especially if they are too small to be informed about hygiene Other than these, a toddler that suffers from some other ailment like sinusitis, diphtheria or measles is more likely to suffer from sore throat.

Treatment for Sore Throat in Toddlers

A sore throat in a toddler can be treated by a pediatrician who will prescribe antibiotics. However, there are many treatments that will be easy on the toddler's sensitive body and system and that will easily cure sore throat. One of the remedies is boiling the leaves of holy basil in water and giving it to the toddler to consume about twice a day till he is better. Garnishing the food with garlic is also a good treatment as garlic has antiviral and antibacterial properties that aid in curing various viral infections including sore throat. Adding chamomile or lavender oil to almond oil and rubbing this mix on the chest also provides relief from cold and sore throat. Rubbing a drop or two of tea tree oil or eucalyptus oil on the chest would also help. You must inculcate the habit of maintaining hygiene in your toddler and encourage him to wash hands several times in a day and not put objects into the mouth