10 Causes of Sores In Your Throat
Article Sources
- 1. 'What Are Oral, Throat, and Tonsil Ulcers?' Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, 16 Jan. 2019, www.ceenta.com/news-blog/its-time-to-talk-about-oral-throat-and-tonsil-ulcers.
- 2. 'Strep Throat.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 17 Dec. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/strep-throat/symptoms-causes/syc-20350338.
- 3. 'Oral Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection.' Ucsfhealth.org, 6 Oct. 2020, www.ucsfhealth.org/medical-tests/007762.
- 4. 'Articles.' Cedars Sinai, Cedars-Sinai, www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions---pediatrics/r/rheumatic-fever.html.
- 5. 'GERD (Chronic Acid Reflux): Symptoms, Treatment, & Causes.' Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, 6 Dec. 2019, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17019-gerd-or-acid-reflux-or-heartburn-overview.
- 6. 'Canker Sore: Care Instructions.' MyHealth.Alberta.ca Government of Alberta Personal Health Portal, myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=uh3707.
- 7. Mouth Sores and Inflammation (Stomatitis) By Bernard J. Hennessy, et al. 'Mouth Sores and Inflammation - Mouth and Dental Disorders.' Merck Manuals Consumer Version, Merck Manuals, www.merckmanuals.com/home/mouth-and-dental-disorders/symptoms-of-oral-and-dental-disorders/mouth-sores-and-inflammation.
- 8. Rabin, Roni Caryn. 'What Causes Canker Sores?' The New York Times, The New York Times, 16 Mar. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/03/16/well/live/what-causes-canker-sores.html.
- 9. 'Sore Mouth and Throat - Canadian Cancer Society.' Www.cancer.ca, www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/diagnosis-and-treatment/managing-side-effects/sore-mouth-and-throat/?region=on.
The throat is very susceptible to lesions, cuts and sores and is usually the first area that displays symptoms when exposed to an oral injury or infection. Sores in the throat can occur due to a wide variety of causes, including bacterial and viral infections, autoimmune diseases, allergic reactions and more.
Depending on the cause, throat sores can be difficult to treat. While most sores usually heal on their own, sores that occur repeatedly or don’t go away after a few days should be examined by a medical professional. Sores that linger for a long time could indicate a serious underlying condition.1‘What Are Oral, Throat, and Tonsil Ulcers?’ Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, 16 Jan. 2019, www.ceenta.com/news-blog/its-time-to-talk-about-oral-throat-and-tonsil-ulcers.
1. Bacterial Infections
A common cause of throat pain, inflammation and sores or lesions in the throat is a bacterial infection known as Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A streptococcus, which is commonly called strep throat. Strep throat causes a number of symptoms, with the most noticeable being a severe sore throat that can make speaking and swallowing difficult.
Strep throat is relatively easy to treat once it’s been identified, but it’s extremely contagious. Patients are typically improving after a few days of an antibiotics regimen, but they are still contagious until the virus is fully eradicated from the body.2‘Strep Throat.’ Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 17 Dec. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/strep-throat/symptoms-causes/syc-20350338.
2. Viral Infections
Viruses, especially cold and flu viruses are the most common reason for a sore throat. Other two viral causes of throat sores are herpes and the human papillomavirus. When these viruses are responsible for sores or lesions in the throat, the usual cause is sexual activity, although this is not the only way the virus can enter the throat.
Oral HPV is known to lead to cancer, especially in women, so patients with persistent sores should seek out medical attention to confirm the cause.3‘Oral Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection.’ Ucsfhealth.org, 6 Oct. 2020, www.ucsfhealth.org/medical-tests/007762.
3. Autoimmune Diseases
Certain autoimmune diseases or disorders can also cause symptoms to appear in the throat and oral area. A sore throat or lesions in the throat may occur in response to an autoimmune disease, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
However, diagnosing an autoimmune disease based on symptoms in the throat alone is very difficult to do, as a sore throat is a general symptom that can have a plethora of causes.4‘Articles.’ Cedars Sinai, Cedars-Sinai, www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions—pediatrics/r/rheumatic-fever.html.
4. Nutritional Deficiencies
Lacking in vitamins and minerals or having general nutritional deficiencies can lead to symptoms developing in the throat and mouth. Ulcers, canker sores and oral lesions can all develop due to an insufficient diet.
People lacking in vitamin C, for example, may have a weakened immune system that’s slower at healing oral wounds or throat sores. This slower healing process can give infections more time to develop or make their way into a cut or irritated area in the mouth or throat.1‘What Are Oral, Throat, and Tonsil Ulcers?’ Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, 16 Jan. 2019, www.ceenta.com/news-blog/its-time-to-talk-about-oral-throat-and-tonsil-ulcers.
5. Allergies
Allergies of all types can cause irritation to occur in the mouth and throat. Seasonal allergies can cause excessive coughing, which can cause injury to the inside of the esophagus, especially in combination with post-nasal drip and an inflamed larynx, both of which are also common allergy symptoms.
Individuals with seasonal, pet dander and food allergies can experience vomiting and throat irritation, which can lead to sores developing in the throat or on the tonsils.7Mouth Sores and Inflammation (Stomatitis) By Bernard J. Hennessy, et al. ‘Mouth Sores and Inflammation - Mouth and Dental Disorders.’ Merck Manuals Consumer Version, Merck Manuals, www.merckmanuals.com/home/mouth-and-dental-disorders/symptoms-of-oral-and-dental-disorders/mouth-sores-and-inflammation.
6. Acid Reflux and Excessive Vomiting
Acid reflux and vomiting can lead to oral irritation and the development of sores or lesions on the tonsils and in the throat and mouth. These sores may occur on their own or be preceded by a scratchiness in the throat, inflammation and general soreness.
Treating sores caused by high acid exposure in the throat is usually achieved by treating the cause of the acid reflux or vomiting. Adjusting diet and taking over-the-counter medications for indigestion can alleviate symptoms, which may help eliminate sores.5‘GERD (Chronic Acid Reflux): Symptoms, Treatment, & Causes.’ Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, 6 Dec. 2019, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17019-gerd-or-acid-reflux-or-heartburn-overview.
7. Oral Trauma
Any cut or excessive friction to the inside of the mouth or throat can lead to the development of canker sores and oral lesions. Oral wounds can take a long time to heal in even the healthiest people, and those with dry mouth caused by various conditions or medications may experience even longer healing times.
It’s very common for oral injuries to turn into canker sores. Genetics may play a role in some instances, while in others there is no apparent reason. These sores rarely require treatment.6‘Canker Sore: Care Instructions.’ MyHealth.Alberta.ca Government of Alberta Personal Health Portal, myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=uh3707.
8. Stress and Lack of Sleep
People who are going through a stressful period or not getting enough sleep can be more vulnerable to the development of canker sores or oral ulcers. The exact reason for this is unknown, but the general theory is that the immune system requires adequate sleep to operate at full efficiency.8Rabin, Roni Caryn. ‘What Causes Canker Sores?’ The New York Times, The New York Times, 16 Mar. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/03/16/well/live/what-causes-canker-sores.html.
Stress can also lead to sores developing in the mouth and throat, as can the consumption of caffeine and alcohol.
9. Cancer and Chemotherapy
The presence of a malignant tumor in the head and neck area can lead to the development of sores in the oral region, including the throat, tonsils and esophagus. Cancer correlates with a reduced immune system’s functionality, and therefore, an increased risk of abscesses , including abscesses and sores in the head and neck region.
Chemotherapy can also cause throat sores. This is because the cells in the throat and mouth are extremely sensitive to the effects of chemotherapy.9‘Sore Mouth and Throat - Canadian Cancer Society.’ Www.cancer.ca, www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/diagnosis-and-treatment/managing-side-effects/sore-mouth-and-throat/?region=on.
10. Respiratory Illnesses
A number of respiratory illnesses can cause ulcers or sores to form in the oral region, including canker sores. This can be due to the illness weakening the immune system, as canker sores are known to accompany other illnesses.
In other words, when a patient is sick with a respiratory illness, canker sores are more likely to appear and can occur on the tonsils and in the throat and mouth.8Rabin, Roni Caryn. ‘What Causes Canker Sores?’ The New York Times, The New York Times, 16 Mar. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/03/16/well/live/what-causes-canker-sores.html.
