Laryngitis: Care Instructions
Your Care Instructions

Laryngitis is an inflammation of the voice box (larynx) that causes your voice to become raspy or hoarse.
Most of the time, laryngitis comes on quickly and lasts as long as 2 weeks. It is caused by overuse,
irritation, or infection of the vocal cords inside the larynx.
Some of the most common causes are a cold, the flu, or allergies. Loud talking, shouting, cheering, or
singing also can cause laryngitis. Stomach acid that backs up into the throat also can make you lose your
voice.
Resting your voice and taking other steps at home can help you get your voice back.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all
appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results
and keep a list of the medicines you take.
How can you care for yourself at home?
-
Rest your voice. You do not have to stop speaking, but use your voice as little as possible. Speak softly
but do not whisper; whispering can bother your larynx more than speaking softly. Avoid talking on the
telephone or trying to speak loudly.
-
Drink plenty of water to keep your throat moist.
-
Before you use cough and cold medicines, check the label. They may not be safe for young children or for
people with certain health problems.
-
Try to keep stomach acid from backing up into your throat. Do not eat just before bedtime. Reduce the
amount of coffee and alcohol you drink, and eat healthy foods. Taking over-the-counter acid reducers can
help when these steps are not enough. In some cases, you may need prescription medicine.
-
Try not to clear your throat. This can cause more irritation of your larynx. Take an over-the-counter
cough suppressant (if your doctor recommends it) if you have a dry cough that does not produce mucus.
-
Use saline (saltwater) nasal washes to help keep your nasal passages open and wash out mucus and
allergens. You can buy saline nose sprays at a grocery store or drugstore. Follow the instructions on the
package. Or you can make your own at home. Add 1 teaspoon of non-iodized salt and 1 teaspoon of baking soda
to 2 cups of distilled or boiled and cooled water. Fill a squeeze bottle or neti pot with the nasal wash.
Then insert the tip into your nostril, and lean over the sink. With your mouth open, gently squirt the
liquid. Repeat on the other side.
-
Follow your doctor's directions for treating the condition that caused you to lose your voice. If your
doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better.
You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
-
Do not smoke or allow others to smoke around you. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about
stop-smoking programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.
When should you call for help?
Call 911
anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
Current as of: September 27, 2023
Content Version: 14.0
Care instructions adapted under license by your
healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask
your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of
this information.