What causes a sore throat?

What causes a sore throat?

Jason Hamilton (Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon) gives expert video advice on: Why should I be concerned if I am hoarse?; Can I treat a sore throat myself or should I see a doctor? and more...

A sore throat is usually caused by either an infection (a bacteria that's causing inflammation) or more commonly dryness. Typically, when we have a cold and can't breathe through our nose, the air doesn't have the ability to be humidified, so we breathe through our mouth, and when we breathe through our mouth we're breathing dry air and our throat becomes cracked, and when it becomes cracked we feel pain. So often, there's no infection in the throat when someone has a cold. It's just the throat is painful because it's dry. That's why drinking fluids or using a humidifier when you're mouth breathing will help to moisturize the air for you.