Sore Throat at Night: Causes and Treatments (2024)

A sore throat is often caused by a viral infection, such as the cold, flu, or COVID-19, but a sore throat that only happens at night or in the morning may not be related to sickness. Sometimes, you may only have a sore throat on one side.

Several factors can cause a sore throat at night, such as environmental factors or symptoms of other common health conditions that may get worse when you lie down. Sore throat symptoms may come and go as the triggers of your sore throat come and go, such as seasonal allergies or dry winter air.

Learn more about what causes a sore throat at night and how to get relief so that you can feel and sleep better.

Causes of a Sore Throat at Night

A sore throat that seems to happen only at night can be caused by various things, from the state of the air you breathe to acid reflux that happens when you lie down.

Dry Air

Breathing in dry air can lead to a dry throat, which may become irritated and sore. Running the heater or air conditioning overnight can make the air you breathe drier and may be why your throat is only sore at night. Mouth breathing while sleeping, especially in a dry environment, can make your throat dry and sore. Dry throat may be particularly bad in the winter when the air is cold and dry.

Postnasal Drip

Postnasal drip is when mucus drains down your throat. One of the symptoms of postnasal drip is a sore throat. One reason why postnasal drip may cause sore throat at night is that the mucus collects at the back of the throat while you’re lying down or sleeping. This can lead you to cough or clear your throat more, which can make your throat sore.

Allergies

Exposure to allergens throughout the day can leave you with a sore throat at the end of the day. Allergies may be seasonal, such as from pollen in the air, or year-round, such as from dander or pet hair. Allergic rhinitis (also called hay fever or nasal allergies) can cause a sore throat.

A sore throat from allergies is likely a result of postnasal drip as the immune system triggers mucus production to trap allergens that enter the nose. The collection of mucus at the back of your throat can cause discomfort and soreness in the throat.

Muscle Strain

Muscle strain from talking a lot or loudly can cause throat pain similar to a sore throat. If you’ve been using your voice a lot or speaking over loud noises during the day, you may feel a sore throat coming on at night. This is just a matter of overuse of the muscles in your throat.

Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), when stomach acid rises into your esophagus, throat, and mouth. Acid reflux can cause throat pain if the acid reaches the throat. Acid reflux while sleeping may be caused by your sleeping position. When you’re lying down, there isn’t gravity to help keep stomach contents from coming up into the throat, leading to throat discomfort at night.

Relief for a Sore Throat That's Worse at Night

Getting relief from a sore throat at night can not only help you feel better but also help you sleep better. Below are at-home remedies to try for sore throat relief:

• Suck on sore throat lozenges or hard candies (not for small children due to choking hazard)
• Drink warm or cold liquids, like hot lemon and honey tea or cold water, whichever feels more soothing for your throat
• Use a humidifier or vaporizer overnight to keep the air from getting too dry
• Gargle warm salt water several times a day (1 cup water with ½ teaspoon salt)
• Take over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen

If you have symptoms of a viral infection, such as a cough or runny nose, in addition to a sore throat, getting treatment for the infection will help relieve your sore throat.

Sore Throat Triggers and Risk Factors

You might notice that your nightly sore throat is triggered in certain seasons. For example, postnasal drip might be spurred on by cold, dry air in winter or when you turn on the air conditioning overnight.

In addition, seasonal allergies may make you more susceptible to a sore throat as the excess mucus can irritate your throat.

You might also find that a sore throat at night is triggered after eating certain foods for dinner. The acid reflux that may happen after eating these foods, like spicy food, can cause a sore throat.

When to Talk With a Healthcare Provider

If you’re still unsure what’s causing your sore throat at night, talk to a healthcare provider about what your sore throat feels like and any other symptoms you have. It might also help to share patterns you notice when your sore throat symptoms come and go. If your sore throat keeps happening for more than two weeks, it may be time to talk to a healthcare provider about it.

In addition, seek medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms along with your sore throat:

• Pain when you swallow or speak
• Swelling of the lymph nodes on your neck
• White patches or pus on the back of your throat
• Rash
• Blood in your phlegm or spit
• Fever

Summary

A sore throat at night can be caused by a variety of reasons, including dry air, postnasal drip, allergies, muscle strain, and acid reflux. Several at-home remedies, such as gargles, lozenges, and soothing liquids, can relieve a sore throat at night. If a sore throat isn’t going away or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it’s best to talk to a healthcare provider.