Blisters in Throat

Blisters are small fluid filled lumps that are usually seen on the uppermost layer of the skin. Surprisingly, blisters appearing inside the body is something we haven't heard of, right? However, blisters in throat is common and often associated with a viral infection Overexposure to dust and other air pollutants can also cause irritation and scratchy throat, which eventually leads to formation of blisters.

Causes
Occurrence of blisters is bound to make the throat painful and itchy. Its causes are discussed below:

Sore Throat: This is a throat condition that gives a feeling of scratchy throat. In this condition, a part of the throat becomes inflamed, making it difficult to swallow food. It is a viral infection and considered to be a symptom of flu and common cold. When a particular virus, known as Coxsackie invades the throat, it can lead to formation of blisters on the tonsils. The blisters generally appear a few days after the virus affects the throat. Eruption of blisters can aggravate pain and the throat may turn red.

Oral Herpes: It is an infection that erupts due to invasion of herpes simplex virus. In oral herpes, the virus invades the lips and triggers the formation of blisters. However, these fluid filled blisters are not restricted on the lips and can also be seen on the tongue and inside the throat. Also, referred as throat herpes, the infection can be quite painful as blisters burst over time and form sores (open wounds). When oral herpes reach the throat, pain while swallowing is bound to occur. Generally, people having a weak immune system or treated with chemotherapy are affected with throat herpes.

Chickenpox: This infectious disease triggers the formation of elevated bumps all over the body. As the disease progresses, the itchy bumps form blisters that contain body fluids. Although, this chickenpox rash is generally observed on the face, back and the chest, it can also occur inside the throat.

Treatment
Proper diagnosis is the key to eliminate blister formation in the throat. Anti-viral medications are given to relieve the discomfort. Some of them are listed below:

Medications: In order to alleviate throat pain, use of painkillers is the best option. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are the commonly prescribed medications to relieve the pain. In case, the herpes simplex virus is the culprit behind blisters on throat, antiviral medications such as Valtrex or Zovirax are administered to get rid of infection.

Unhygienic habits like smoking can impair the healing process, so if you are a smoker, make sure you stay away from cigarettes as long as the infection does not go away. In fact, quitting smoking can substantially minimize the risk of recurrence of throat blisters. Staying in a clean environment and ensuring good quality indoor air can also work wonders to speed up healing of blisters in throat.

Using a medicated mouthwash that helps to reduce the pain is yet another way to manage this throat infection. One can also gargle with saltwater solution to get relief from throat blister. Usually, half a teaspoon of salt added in a cup of water is often recommended for gargling. Dirty hands harbor harmful viruses and bacteria. Hence, you got to clean your hands with medicated soaps. This is a simple way to keep any sort of throat infections at bay.

Taking few spoons of honey everyday can also help to ease the infection. Honey is found to be an excellent antiseptic and displays antibacterial activity. So, consuming honey may benefit to clear away the blisters that are caused due to strep throat.

A natural way to reduce discomfort associated with this throat problem is to have a cup of tea. A bowl of soup or even warm water can assist to decrease throat pain. Eating hard foods such as toast or raw vegetables is certainly not feasible and can make matters worse. Instead, go for soft foods like minced meat, mashed potatoes or bananas. Staying indoors and taking rest as much as possible is equally important to get rid of blisters in the back of the throat.