Most of the patients who go to the otolaryngologist complain of redness of the throat. However, symptoms such as fever, dryness in the oropharynx, and malaise may be absent. When there is a red throat, one should not wait for the appearance of new clinical signs of the disease, but begin treatment. However, it is necessary to understand what caused the disease.
Now let's take a closer look at why the throat turns red, what provoking factors contribute to this and what is recommended to do. There are two groups of reasons:
- non-infectious;
- infectious.
Non-infectious throat injury
Considering the considerable likelihood of damage to the oropharynx by non-infectious factors, we highlight the most frequent ones that lead to redness of the throat. In this case, the temperature is observed only in case of infection of the damaged mucosa and the development of an inflammatory reaction:
- mechanical injury. They are observed as a result of a violation of the integrity of the mucous membrane of the pharynx by solid products, for example, crackers, or as a result of choking in the process of eating. First of all, it is dangerous due to asphyxiation due to reflex bronchospasm when a foreign element enters the respiratory tract. After removing the object, redness of the throat and some perspiration may occur. In addition, the appearance of hyperemia of the oropharynx after prolonged screaming, singing or laughing should be noted. Chronic redness is typical for people whose profession is associated with public speaking (vocalists, announcers);
- inhalation of contaminated (dust, industrial hazards), dry, cold air, due to which the mucous membrane is irritated and becomes hyperemic;
- thermal damage to the mucous membrane of the pharynx during inhalation with hot steam, inhalation of corrosive fumes, which leads to a chemical burn. Also, damage to the mucous membrane is possible when eating hot food or liquids;
Thermal damage requires qualified medical care, since untimely treatment leads to the formation of scar tissue and irreversible changes in the mucous membrane of the pharynx.
Especially dangerous are burns with chemical agents that have entered the digestive tract, provoking cicatricial stenosis of the esophagus, as well as in the organs of the respiratory system.
If the throat is red, but does not hurt, you should suspect the negative effects of the allergic factor. After contact of the mucous membrane of the oropharynx with a provoking allergen (chemicals, fluff, pollen, citrus fruits, hygiene products for care), a local immune response develops. It can be expressed as an allergic pharyngopathy.
Note that there is no elevated temperature in this case. Depending on the aggressiveness of the allergic factor and the sensitivity of the immune system to it, redness of the throat may be the only symptom or be accompanied by the appearance of other clinical signs.
A person may be worried about:
- perspiration, soreness in the oropharynx;
- sneezing, itching;
- swelling of the pharyngeal mucosa;
- rhinorrhea, nasal congestion;
- lacrimation, signs of conjunctivitis.
With the development of a systemic response to an allergic factor, a skin rash may appear.
In severe cases, bronchospasm and a decrease in pressure are possible.
To alleviate the condition, it is necessary to stop contact with the allergen. If the allergen was food, sorbents should be taken, for example, Atoxil, Polysorb or Enterosgel. This will help prevent further absorption of allergic substances and accelerate their elimination.
Drinking plenty of fluids, taking antihistamines such as Suprastin, Loratadin or Erius is also recommended. In severe cases, intravenous administration of hormonal agents and infusion therapy are required.
To prevent the re-development of an allergic reaction, it is necessary to establish the cause of its development. The patient should remember what he ate on the eve of the deterioration, what he used and where he was. To accurately determine the allergen, allergy tests are carried out after the condition improves. If necessary, preventive therapy is prescribed during the flowering season of plants or poplar fluff.
Infectious causes
Anyone can get sick with an infectious pathology, because pathogenic microorganisms are ubiquitous and very infectious. The development of the disease depends on the level of a person's immune defense and the presence of concomitant pathologies.
In most cases, the throat is red, but does not hurt in chronic inflammatory diseases, when infectious pathogens are present in the focus and maintain inflammation. Such chronic diseases include:
- pharyngitis;
- angina;
- sinusitis;
- laryngitis.
During the period of remission, the disease does not show pronounced clinical signs. Periodically, perspiration in the oropharynx, dryness, scratching, burning or tickling sensations may bother you. The temperature is often kept within normal limits, and there are no general symptoms at all.
Pathologies are characterized by the appearance of soreness in the throat when swallowing, talking, an increase in temperature to subfebrile or febrile numbers. Also worried about a dry cough with a gradual transition to a wet one, in which copious sputum is released. The cough can be in the form of seizures or be observed constantly, intensifying in the morning, as sputum accumulates in the bronchi.
General symptoms include headache, severe malaise, drowsiness, fatigue, myalgia, arthralgia, body aches, dizziness and loss of appetite.
The diagnosis is established on the basis of clinical signs and the results of laboratory and instrumental examination. To examine the oropharynx, pharyngoscopy and laryngoscopy are used. The study visualizes:
- hyperemia;
- swelling of the mucous membrane;
- thickening of the arches, uvula;
- looseness of the tonsils;
- accumulation of purulent discharge in follicles, lacunae;
- plaque can be white-yellow or gray, located on the tonsils, palate, arches and posterior pharyngeal wall;
- dryness, thinning of the mucous membrane, on the surface of which crusts are located, which indicates an atrophic process.
With laryngitis, the listed signs of inflammation relate to the larynx and vocal cords. playmodel The endoscopic picture changes depending on the form of the chronic process (catarrhal, hypertrophic, atrophic).
Therapeutic tactics are based on the results of diagnostics. So, for treatment, combinations of the following drugs can be prescribed:
| Group of medicines | Name |
|---|---|
| Antibacterial drugs | Amoxicillin, Augmentin, Cefuroxime, Cefipim, Azithromycin |
| Antiviral drugs | Arbidol, Amiksin, Groprinozon, Cytovir, Otsillococcinum |
| Oropharyngeal rinse solutions | Miramistin, Givalex, Furacilin |
| Means for lubricating tonsils | Lugol, Collargol |
| Irrigation of the tonsils | Orasept, Tantum-Verde, Bioparox, Chlorophyllipt |
| Inhalation | Alkaline still water, Rotokan, Ambroxol |
| Tableted antiseptics for resorption | Decatilen, Strepsils, Septolete, Septefril |
| Antipyretic drugs | Nurofen, Nimesil |
| Immunomodulators | Immudon, IRS-19 |
Do not forget about physiotherapy procedures and tonsil lavage. Be sure to observe:
- bed rest;
- proper nutrition with vitamins, enriched with protein;
- plentiful drinking regime;
- air humidification;
- getting enough sleep;
- frequent ventilation of the room, wet cleaning;
- walks in the fresh air, dressing "for the weather."
To prevent the appearance of reddening of the throat, chronic diseases should be treated in a timely manner, regularly sanitized infectious foci (caries, sinusitis, tonsillitis) and strengthened the immune system.
For this, a sanatorium vacation in a mountainous, sea, forest area, sports, vitamin and mineral complexes are perfect.
