11 Best Homeopathic Remedies For Strep Throat

Homeopathic medicines certainly have an upper hand where the medicines not only help in controlling the spread of infection and rapid cure but also help in preventing further relapses and complications.

What Causes Strep Throat?

Strep throat is a contagious infection of the throat caused by the bacteria Streptococcus.

• It affects children, most commonly in the age group of 5-15 years but it may also affect adults in all age groups.
• Incubation Period: The infection develops 1 – 5 days from contact with an infected person or infected objects such as tables, doorknobs.

Mode of Spread: Droplet infection. It is an airborne illness, that is to say, that it is spread when an infected person sneezes or coughs, the droplets may be inhaled by a healthy person, causing infection. Infection may also spread by sharing of food or drinks with an infected person.

Signs And Symptoms of Strep Throat

Presentation of strep throat can be different in different individuals.

However, the most common signs and symptoms are

• Pain in the throat with difficulty in swallowing.
• High grade fever with chills.
• The throat appears red and swollen.
• White patches or streaks of pus may also be present.
• Occasionally children and infants may also complain of nausea and vomiting.
• Loss of appetite is a common feature.
• There may be swelling of adjacent lymph nodes of the neck.

A lot of symptoms may mimic viral infection of the throat but some warning signals such as white patches in the throat, high-grade fever and throat pain lasting more than a week should compel an individual to consult a physician.

Strep Throat Complications

Streptococcus is known to be a class of notorious bacteria. Although a person may recover after taking a course of treatment, the infection still has a propensity to relapse.

If Left Untreated, A Strep Throat Can Cause The Following Complications

1. Tonsillitis
   
2. Otitis Media - Infection of the middle ear spreads via the Eustachian tube.
   
3. Bacterial Sinusitis - Infection of the sinuses
4. Streptococcal Meningitis - Infection of the brain and spinal cord.
   
5. Streptococcal Rash – It is also called the scarlet rash or a scarlatina rash. It is a bright rash on skin all over the body. It is usually accompanied by a high grade fever. The rash typically appears first on the trunk and then it spreads to the hands and legs lasting for 3-7 days. The name is so given because the streptococcal bacteria releases a toxin which causes an appearance of this rash.
   
6. Streptococcal Pneumonia – If the infection spreads to the lower respiratory tract.
   
7. Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidneys)
   
8. Rheumatic fever – this is a very serious complication of untreated streptococcal infection. This involves inflammation of the heart valves and joints of the body.

What Happens When Strep Throat Infection Occurs During Pregnancy?

A pregnant woman is at a higher risk of acquiring infections than a nonpregnant one. This is not a sexually transmitted infection and may occur during the last trimester of pregnancy when the susceptibility is considerably high. However, strep throat infection will not cause a miscarriage to occur if treated on time.

The symptoms during pregnancy are almost similar. There may be abdominal pain and excessive sweating. Normally a course of antibiotics is advised by the treating physician. The methods of prevention have to be followed even during pregnancy to avoid infection.

Diagnosis: This is done by a Rapid antigen test or a throat swab culture. A blood culture sample taken during a fever spike may also detect streptococcus.

Prevention:

1. Using a face mask to cover your mouth and throat at crowded places.
   
2. Washing hands after touching an infected person or before meals.
   
3. Avoid sharing food and drinks with an infected person.

11 Best Homeopathic Remedies/Medicines For Strep Throat

The list of homeopathic remedies for strep throat mentioned below are the most frequently used in the management of strep throat. Apart from these few medicines, Homoeopathy has more than 5000 medicines to offer which are prescribed solely based on appropriate indications.  let’s take a look at the list of best homeopathic remedies for strep throat. Some of the frequently indicated medicines in homoeopathy for the treatment of strep throat are

1. ACONITE

Acute and sudden affection. Causes are exposure to dry, cold wind. Throat is red, dry and constricted with a burning and stinging sensation. Numb throat. Tonsils dry and swollen. Swollen tongue. Vomiting with bitter taste in mouth. Skin red, swollen and dry. Measles like rash present. Can be prescribed for complication of strep throat – rheumatic inflammation of joints. All complaints associated with physical and mental restlessness.

2. BELLADONNA

Heat, redness, throbbing and burning. Indicated when the onset is sudden and violent. Throat is dry, with difficulty in swallowing. Sensation of a lump inside the throat. Loss of appetite with excessive vomiting. Skin is dry, hot, swollen with a burning sensation and rash appears scarlet. Skin appears pale and red alternately. Palpitations with difficulty breathing. All complaints are worse from noise, light, pressure and touch. The patient is highly irritated and does not even want to be touched.

3. FERRUM PHOS

Indicated in early stages of inflammation before any form of pus formation begins. Patients show a tendency to catch cold frequently. A face is red and flushed with a burning of eyes. Mouth and throat appear red inflamed. Sore throat with red and swollen tonsils. It can be prescribed for a complication of strep throat – initial stages of inflammation of lungs. A dry cough, expectoration with blood occasionally. Inflamed and painful joints.

4. HEPAR SULPH

Indicated in patients showing sensitiveness to all external impressions such as noise, light, touch, pressure, etc. The medicine acts effectively on respiratory tract infections. Stitching sensation in the throat, as if from a stuck fish splinter. Pain in throat extending to the ears. Pus formation in throat and tonsils cause pain while swallowing. Complaints are better from the warmth and warm drinks, worse from cold air, cold food and drinks.

5. KALI MUR

Indicated in stages of acute inflammation with pus exudations and involvement of glands. The throat is inflamed with grey-white patches on throat and tonsils. Tonsils enlarged making it difficult to breathe. Grayish spots and crusts stick to the walls of the throat. Spread of infection to the Eustachian tube causing loud noises in the ear. Glands around the ear and neck are swollen. Pain and swelling of joints which is worse at night.

6. NUX VOMICA

This remedy is most suited to complaints appearing due to modern lifestyle, excessive mental stress and anxiety, habituated to drinking tea and coffee and using tobacco. The patient is extremely irritable and oversensitive. Rough and scraped sensation inside the throat. Pain the throat going till the ears, with difficulty in swallowing, nausea, and vomiting. Scraping sensation in the throat causing cough and hoarseness of voice.

7. PSORINUM

All complaints of patients are relieved from warmth. Patients who have a tendency to catch a cold. Throat and tonsils are swollen with pain and difficulty in swallowing. A cough with yellowish expectoration. The mouth has an offensive smell. Offensive discharge of pus from the ears. Skin looks dirty. Intolerable itching. Fever with excessive smelly perspiration.

8. SULPHUR

Indicated when even the most carefully selected medicines do not act. Also indicated in relapses. The general offensiveness of all discharges. Pain in the throat as from a splinter or a pressure. Throat appears dry and red. Bitter taste in the mouth. Complete loss of appetite. Itching of skin with burning, better from scratch.

9. MERC SOL

Affections of almost all parts of the body are covered by this remedy – skin, organs, bones, joints, glands, etc. All complaints are worse at night, from the damp or cold weather, from the warmth of bed. Complaints increase from sweating. The patient is sensitive to both heat and cold. Bluish-red swelling of the throat with ulcers and inflammation at every change of weather. There is a typical metallic taste in the mouth. Burning sensation inside the throat with difficulty in swallowing and pus formation in the throat as well as the tonsils. Fever with chills worse at night and evening.

10. STREPTOCOCCINUM

Indicated when a person has had a history of strep throat treated with antibiotics and the patient has never been well since that infection. It is commonly indicated in Streptococcal and post streptococcal complaint that is better from moving around.

11. AILANTHUS GLANDULOSA

Specifically indicated in Streptococcal infections. Scarlet rash all over the body with a lot of weakness. Throat appears swollen, red and inflamed. Rough and scrappy feeling in the throat. Tongue and teeth covered with white spots.