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Does hot sauce affect strep throat?


Strep throat is a common bacterial infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. It leads to inflammation and pain in the throat and tonsils. While strep throat often resolves on its own, antibiotics are frequently prescribed to speed recovery and reduce risk of complications.

Many home remedies are used to help soothe strep throat pain. One popular option is hot sauces or peppers. Spicy foods contain capsaicin, a compound that can temporarily numb pain receptors in the throat. However, it’s unclear whether this provides any real benefit for strep throat.

This article examines the evidence on whether hot sauce affects strep throat symptoms and recovery time.

What is strep throat?

Strep throat is an infection caused by group A Streptococcus, bacteria commonly found in the mouth and nose. While carriers often show no symptoms, others develop a painful sore throat.

Symptoms of strep throat include:

  • Painful, sore throat
  • Difficulty or pain with swallowing
  • Fever
  • Red, swollen tonsils sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus
  • Small red spots on the roof of the mouth
  • Swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck
  • Headache
  • Body aches
  • Nausea or vomiting, especially in children

Strep throat is very contagious. It spreads through respiratory droplets expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You can also pick up strep bacteria from touching contaminated surfaces.

While strep throat often resolves on its own, antibiotics are commonly prescribed. They speed healing by killing the bacteria responsible for infection. Antibiotics also prevent rare complications like rheumatic fever or kidney inflammation.

Doctors can use a rapid strep test or throat culture to confirm strep throat. Typical treatment involves 10 days of an oral antibiotic like penicillin or amoxicillin.

How does hot sauce work?

Hot sauce is made from chili peppers, which contain a compound called capsaicin. When ingested, capsaicin binds to and activates sensory nerve receptors in the mouth and throat that normally respond to heat and pain.

This triggers a burning sensation, as the nervous system interprets the capsaicin as actual heat. With repeated exposures, capsaicin can temporarily desensitize these pain nerve fibers.

That’s why hot sauce may briefly reduce throat pain — the nerves are overwhelmed by capsaicin and unable to transmit as many pain signals. However, this effect fades quickly as the receptors become active again.

Some researchers believe capsaicin also exerts anti-inflammatory effects in the body that could aid sore throat relief. However, evidence for this is currently limited.

Does hot sauce affect strep throat duration or severity?

There is little research specifically examining how hot sauces impact strep throat outcomes. However, a few studies provide insight:

Pain reduction

Limited evidence suggests hot sauces may temporarily reduce throat pain from strep throat.

In one study, 15 people with acute pharyngitis gargled an herbal sage-chili pepper preparation or placebo for 6 days. The sage-chili gargle resulted in significantly greater pain improvement than placebo over this time.

Similarly, a mouth rinse with capsaicin provided short-term pain relief in patients following tonsillectomy surgery.

However, researchers note that these effects are transient. The hot pepper preparations only provided symptom relief for up to 2 hours. After this time, throat pain intensity returned to baseline.

Duration of illness

There is currently no evidence that hot sauces shorten the duration of strep throat.

Without antibiotic treatment, strep throat usually lasts around 5–7 days before resolving. Hot sauce mouthwashes may temporarily mask throat pain, but won’t accelerate healing.

One review found that various natural remedies provided small, temporary benefits for acute pharyngitis. However, none significantly altered illness duration compared to no treatment.

Antibiotics remain the most effective way to shorten strep throat’s course. They eradicate the underlying infection rather than just suppressing symptoms.

Complications

It’s also unlikely that hot sauce impacts complications of strep throat. While rare, strep can sometimes lead to issues like:

  • Rheumatic fever
  • Glomerulonephritis (kidney inflammation)
  • Sinusitis or ear infection
  • Abscesses around tonsils

These complications arise from strep bacteria spreading from the throat. Hot sauces do not have direct antibacterial properties to combat this.

In fact, one study found that chili gargling slightly delayed throat bacterial clearance in pharyngitis patients, compared to placebo gargle.

Again, antibiotic therapy is most effective for preventing complications by rapidly killing strep bacteria. Hot sauce cannot substitute for antibiotics if they are medically necessary.

Other downsides of hot sauce for strep throat

While hot sauces appear safe for most, they may cause some adverse effects, especially if overused:

  • Irritation: High concentrations of capsaicin may aggravate the already inflamed, tender tissues of the throat.
  • Damage: With prolonged use, capsaicin can injure nerve endings and alter pain perception.
  • Masking infection: Desensitizing sore throat nerves may reduce cues to rest and heal. This could delay seeking necessary antibiotics.
  • Medication interactions: Capsaicin may increase absorption or alter metabolism of some drugs. Those on medication should consult a doctor before using hot sauce.

For many, the biggest risk is simply that hot sauce provides only fleeting throat relief. Relying solely on hot sauce to manage severe strep throat rather than antibiotics can worsen outcomes.

However, when used safely and in moderation, spicy remedies likely pose little harm for most people with strep throat. Those who enjoy the hot, burning sensation may find temporary symptom relief.

Other natural remedies for strep throat

In addition to hot sauce, other natural remedies may bring minor relief for strep discomfort:

Salt water gargle

Gargling with warm salt water can temporarily soothe a sore throat by drawing out mucus and fluids. Dissolve 1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt in 8 ounces warm water and gargle 3 to 4 times per day.

Honey

Thanks to its antimicrobial and coating properties, honey may mildly relieve sore throats. Drink warm tea with honey or take a spoonful straight. Avoid giving honey to infants under one due to infection risk.

Marshmallow root

Traditionally used to treat sore throats, marshmallow root contains mucilage which coats and soothes mucous membranes. Drink as a cold or hot herbal tea.

Licorice root

Licorice root has anti-inflammatory properties. Sipping licorice root tea 2 to 3 times per day may reduce throat discomfort. Avoid overuse, as it can cause side effects.

Sage

Some research indicates sage exhibits antimicrobial effects against strep bacteria. It may provide mild symptom relief when consumed as a gargle, tea, throat lozenge, or essential oil.

However, these natural remedies have minimal impact on strep throat duration or complications. They should not replace antibiotics when needed.

Conclusion

Hot sauce is unlikely to significantly impact strep throat outcomes. While the capsaicin in hot peppers may briefly numb sore throat nerves, this effect fades within hours.

There is no evidence that hot sauce shortens infection duration, prevents complications, or reduces the need for antibiotics. In fact, overly masking symptoms with hot sauce could potentially delay proper treatment.

Hot sauce should not serve as a strep throat cure. However, for those who enjoy the heat, a dash of hot sauce may provide temporary relief alongside more effective medical therapies. When used carefully, hot sauce poses little risk for most people with strep throat.