Throat lozenges are not candy
Throat ailments are minor and not life-threatening, but they can frequently bother you: an itchy throat, phlegm, pain, and swelling. Although minor, they affect your quality of life and work, leaving you feeling uncomfortable.
Pharyngitis is a chronic condition that cannot be completely cured with medication or injections. Therefore, most people relieve throat pain by using throat lozenges, which can clear heat and toxins, reduce inflammation and bacteria, and soothe pain. They are used to treat throat conditions like pharyngitis and tonsillitis and can serve as a temporary solution.
Using Antibiotics to Treat Chronic Pharyngitis
When using antibiotics to treat chronic pharyngitis, timing is crucial. The causes of chronic pharyngitis are complex, so treatment should be targeted. Long-term anti-inflammatory and antibacterial therapy yields better results. During the acute phase, timely use of antiviral and antibacterial drugs is essential to prevent it from becoming chronic. In the chronic phase, antibiotics are generally not recommended; the focus is on strengthening prevention and protection to avoid various triggers.
Using throat lozenges like candy is a bad idea!
However, some people treating throat lozenges like candy is highly inadvisable. Because menthol lozenges work by constricting the blood vessels in the oral mucosa, reducing inflammatory swelling and pain, but frequently sucking on them when there is no inflammation can cause the mucosal blood vessels to contract, leading to dry, damaged mucosa and the development of mouth ulcers.
Adverse Effect 1: Worsening Inflammation
Chinese herbal throat lozenges, such as watermelon frost lozenges, Jin Sangzi throat lozenges, compound Caoshanhuan lozenges, and Liushen pills, mainly work by stimulating the mucosa to achieve the effect of "promoting saliva production and quenching thirst." However, they are not suitable for viral pharyngitis because the virus itself stimulates local mucosal secretion, causing symptoms like runny nose and cough. Using Chinese herbal throat lozenges for viral pharyngitis will only worsen these symptoms, not only allowing harmful bacteria to take advantage but also causing non-pathogenic bacteria to cause secondary infections.
Adverse Effect 2: Inducing Ulcers
Western medicine-based throat lozenges, such as Huasu tablets, primarily contain iodine or quaternary ammonium salt surfactants. These drugs contain iodine molecules, which are highly active and have strong bactericidal effects, but they are also very irritating to the oral mucosa. Long-term use can inhibit the growth of normal flora in the mouth and throat, disrupt the oral environment, cause local flora imbalance, and thus induce diseases like mouth ulcers.
Adverse Effect 3: Causing Allergic Reactions
People allergic to iodine may have an allergic reaction if they take iodine-containing throat lozenges, manifesting as shortness of breath, pale complexion, cyanotic lips, and a cold, clammy body. Lactating women who take iodine-containing throat lozenges may affect the growth and development of their infants.
Adverse Effect 4: Causing Diarrhea
Lozenges containing borneol are often used with musk and have their own heat-clearing and laxative effects. People with a weak spleen and stomach who take them long-term are very prone to diarrhea. Patients with a weak spleen and stomach should use watermelon frost lozenges, Jin Sangzi throat lozenges, compound Caoshanhuan lozenges, and Jianmin throat lozenges with extra caution.