Hoarseness

Is this your symptom?

• Voice is hoarse, raspy, scratchy, or deeper than usual
• If hoarseness is severe, the adult can do little more than whisper
• A cough is often also present

Some Basics...

• Laryngitis is the medical term for an inflamed voice box (called the larynx).
• It may be caused by many things. Often it is caused by a cold or the flu. It may also be caused by hay fever, acid reflux, smoking, and overuse of the vocal cords.
• The main symptoms are hoarseness and a dry scratchy throat.
• Usually it gets better within a couple days to a week.
• People with hoarseness that lasts more than 2 weeks should see a doctor.

Causes

Common causes of hoarseness or laryngitis are:

• Common cold and upper respiratory tract infection
• Gastroesophageal reflux
• Hay fever (nose allergies)
• Overuse of the vocal cords (singing, shouting)
• Smoking

Less common causes of hoarseness are:

• Breathing in smoke or fumes
• Cancer of larynx or throat
• Small foreign object in trachea (windpipe)
• Hypothyroidism
• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
• Vocal cord nodule

Here are some clues based on timing of symptoms and some possible causes:

• Sudden onset over seconds to minutes: Unexplained, sudden-onset hoarseness can be caused by a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
• Slow onset over hours to days: Slow onset of hoarseness in an adult with a recent cold is usually from mild laryngitis caused by a virus.
• Slow onset over weeks to months: Hoarseness in a smoker without cold symptoms raises the concern of cancer of the larynx.

When to Call for Hoarseness

Call 911 Now Severe trouble breathing (struggling for each breath or can't speak) Started right after a bee sting, taking medicine, or eating an allergic food Can't swallow (drooling or spitting) Tongue or face swelling You think you have a life-threatening emergency Call Doctor or Seek Care Now Hoarseness lasts more than 30 minutes after a choking spell Fever over 103° F (39.4° C) You feel weak or very sick You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours Severe sore throat pain Fever lasts more than 3 days Fever returns after being gone more than 24 hours You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent Contact Doctor During Office Hours Hoarseness lasts more than 2 weeks Hoarseness off and on for weeks or months (is frequent, comes and goes) You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home Hoarseness from a common cold or upper respiratory infection Hoarseness from overuse of vocal cords (shouting, singing) Hoarseness from hay fever (nose allergies)

Care Advice

Hoarseness

1. What You Should Know:
   • Laryngitis is the medical term for an inflamed voice box (called the larynx).
   • It may be caused by many things. Often, it is caused by a cold or the flu. It may also be caused by hay fever, acid reflux, smoking, and overuse of the vocal cords.
   • The main symptoms are hoarseness and a dry scratchy throat.
   • You usually can treat hoarseness from laryngitis at home.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Rest Your Voice:
   • Talk as little as possible or write notes for a few days. Also avoid throat-clearing.
   • Talking and even throat clearing can strain the vocal cords.
   • Avoid shouting or speaking loudly.
3. Drink Warm Liquids
   • Drink warm soothing liquids.
   • Hot water with honey is good. Hot tea with sugar and lemon is also good.
   • You can also suck on hard candy or cough drops.
4. Avoid Tobacco Smoke:
   • Avoid smoking or breathing in second-hand smoke.
   • This can make coughs and hoarseness much worse.
5. Expected Course:
   • Usually hoarseness from laryngitis gets better within a couple days to a week.
   • If your hoarseness lasts more than 2 weeks, you should see a doctor.
6. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Trouble breathing occurs
   • Hoarseness lasts more than 2 weeks
   • You think you need to be seen
   • You get worse

Treatment for Hay Fever

1. What You Should Know:
   • Allergic rhinitis is an allergic reaction of the nose and sinuses to substances in the air. These include pollen, mold, and dust. Hay fever is a type of nasal allergy.
   • You should see a doctor if your symptoms are more than mild.
   • You can treat hay fever at home.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Antihistamine Medicine for Hay Fever Symptoms:
   • Antihistamines help with hay fever symptoms like sneezing, itching, and runny nose.
   • During pollen season you may need to take this drug every day. It can help keep your allergies under control.
   • You can take one of the following drugs for hay fever: diphenhydramine (Benadryl), fexofenadine (Allegra), cetirizine (Zyrtec), or loratadine (Claritin, Alavert).
   • They are over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. You can buy them at the drugstore.
   • Use the lowest amount of a drug that makes your hay fever feel better.
   • Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) may make you feel drowsy. Loratadine, cetirizine and fexofenadine do not cause you to feel as sleepy. They are also long-acting so they last 24 hours.
   • Read the instructions and warnings on the package insert for all medicines you take.
3. Warning - Antihistamine Medicines:
   • Do not drink, drive or use dangerous machinery while taking them.
   • Caution: antihistamines can make you feel sleepy.
   • Caution: do not use antihistamines if you have prostate problems.
   • Read the instructions and warnings on the package insert for all medicines you take.
4. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Trouble breathing occurs
   • Hoarseness lasts more than 2 weeks
   • You think you need to be seen
   • You get worse

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

Last Reviewed:	10/11/2023 1:00:46 AM
Last Updated:	4/13/2023 1:00:41 AM
Copyright 2023.