What should I do if my throat hurts when I yawn?

Yawning causing throat pain may be due to excessive voice use, dry throat, acute pharyngitis, acute tonsillitis, herpangina, or other conditions. Symptoms can be improved through vocal rest, hydration, and medication. If the pain worsens or is accompanied by high fever or difficulty breathing, prompt medical attention is necessary.

1. Excessive voice use: Prolonged loud talking or shouting can cause congestion of the throat mucosa, leading to pain when yawning stretches the inflamed tissues. It is recommended to reduce speaking to allow vocal cords to rest, avoid shouting, and drink more warm water to soothe the throat.

2. Dry throat: Dry environments or insufficient fluid intake can lead to dehydration of the throat mucosa. Yawning increases mucosal friction, causing pain along with sensations of dryness and a foreign body in the throat. It is advised to increase fluid intake, use a humidifier to improve environmental moisture, and avoid spicy or irritating foods.

3. Acute pharyngitis: Viral or bacterial infection causes acute inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa, resulting in redness and swelling. Stretching during yawning triggers pain at the inflamed site, often accompanied by sore throat and discomfort when swallowing. Under medical guidance, medications such as Pudilan Anti-inflammatory Oral Liquid, Amoxicillin Clavulanate Potassium for Suspension, and Kehoujian Spray may be used to relieve symptoms.

4. Acute tonsillitis: Infection and inflammation of the tonsils can spread to surrounding tissues. Pain occurs when yawning pulls on the inflamed tonsils, often accompanied by swollen tonsils and worsening sore throat. Patients may, under medical supervision, use medications like Cefaclor for Suspension, Xiao'er Chuiqiao Qingre Granules, and Ibuprofen Suspension to alleviate discomfort.

5. Herpangina: Caused by enterovirus infection, this condition leads to blisters in the pharynx. Inflammation irritates throat tissues, and yawning causes pain when blisters are stretched. Symptoms include fever and ruptured oral blisters. Patients may follow medical advice to use Ribavirin Granules, Xiao'er Qingrening Granules, and Kangfuxin Liquid to improve symptoms.

Maintain throat moisture by drinking plenty of warm water, avoid exposure to dust, smoke, and other irritants, maintain regular sleep patterns, eat light and easily digestible food, and support the recovery of throat mucosa.