What should I do if my throat feels like it's being cut with a knife?
Sep 15, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lu Cheng
Introduction
In general, a sore throat that feels like a knife cut may be caused by excessive use of the voice, irritation from spicy or hot foods, acute pharyngitis, acute tonsillitis, acute epiglottitis, or other similar conditions. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and then improve the condition under a doctor's guidance through general treatments, medication, and other methods. In daily life, it is important to keep the throat warm and avoid cold exposure. Wearing a mask when going outdoors can also help prevent irritation from dust.
Generally, a knife-like sore throat may be caused by excessive voice use and irritation, consumption of spicy or scalding food, acute pharyngitis, acute tonsillitis, or acute epiglottitis. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention to identify the underlying cause, followed by improvement through general treatments, medication, and other methods under a doctor's guidance. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Excessive voice use and irritation: Prolonged loud speaking or singing can cause congestion and swelling of the pharyngeal mucosa, leading to knife-like pain. Immediately stop overusing the voice, allow the throat to rest sufficiently, drink plenty of warm water to keep the throat moist, and consider taking non-irritating throat lozenges to relieve mucosal irritation.
2. Spicy or scalding diet: Consuming excessively spicy or hot food can directly damage the throat mucosa, causing pain due to mucosal injury. Adjust the diet to include cool, bland liquid or semi-liquid foods such as porridge and soft noodles, avoiding further throat irritation. Additionally, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the injured throat surface.
3. Acute pharyngitis: Viral or bacterial infection causes acute inflammation of the throat mucosa, resulting in congestion, swelling, and knife-like pain accompanied by dryness of the throat and cough. Patients should follow medical advice to use medications such as Lanqin Oral Liquid, Pudi Lan Anti-inflammatory Tablets, and Amoxicillin Capsules to combat viruses and infections, thereby relieving inflammatory pain.
4. Acute tonsillitis: Bacterial infection leads to acute suppurative inflammation of the tonsils, causing swelling, pus spots on the surface, and severe throat pain. Patients should follow medical advice to use medications such as Cefuroxime Axetil Tablets, Roxithromycin Capsules, and Xigua Shuang Throat Lozenges to control infection and alleviate pain.
5. Acute epiglottitis: Acute inflammatory swelling of the epiglottic mucosa blocks the airway, causing severe throat pain and difficulty swallowing, which is considered an emergency. Patients must seek immediate medical attention and follow medical advice to use medications such as Ceftriaxone Sodium Injection, Dexamethasone Injection, and Budesonide Suspension for rapid anti-inflammatory and swelling reduction effects.
In daily life, it is important to keep the throat warm and avoid cold exposure. Wear a mask when going outdoors to prevent dust irritation. Eat more fresh vegetables and fruits to supplement vitamins, enhance the resistance of the throat mucosa, avoid staying up late, ensure adequate rest, and promote recovery from throat inflammation.
