Most of us suffered from a burnt mouth / tongue after having gulped down a hot beverage or some piping hot food at some point or the other. However, swallowing food or liquids that are too hot could sometimes result in a burnt throat too. Some people also experience a sore, burning sensation in their throat after throwing up a couple of times, as the gastric juices and acids come into direct contact with the throat tissues.

Since a burnt throat does not seem like a serious problem, most of us tend to ignore it and let it heal on its own. Left untreated, this affliction usually takes about a week to ten days to get better. You can try to alleviate the painful symptoms and speed up the healing process by following a few simple self-care steps at home –

Gargle with cold water

Allow all your foods and beverages to cool for 5 to 10 minutes, before consuming them

Avoid any foods that are hot, sharp, spicy, sour, crunchy or crisp

Drink plenty of fluids, especially plain, cool water, during the day

Gargle with cold water, at regular intervals, around 3 to 4 times a day

Have a spoon or two of honey, as it eases irritation and regenerates burned tissue

Sip on some cold milk or have a few spoons of cold, unflavored yogurt

Suck on an ice-cube, some ice chips or a frozen popsicle for temporary relief

Take an over-the-counter painkiller, to relieve the severe ache in your throat

Try some lozenges or cough drops to ease the irritation and itchy feeling in the throat

You could also use liquid Aloe Vera as a mouthwash, by gargling with about half a cup daily. This will soothe the burnt area, enabling the tissues to heal faster.

While a burnt throat is not a serious medical condition, it should be checked and treated without any delay. This is because it can lead to complications like –
Breathing problems (because of excess swelling)
Infections
Blistering
Fever

Therefore, if the throat does not seem to get any better within 3 or 4 days in spite of following the home treatment steps mentioned above, it is important that you consult a doctor. It is also best to check with a healthcare provider before taking any medication for the burnt throat.