How to Reduce Uvula Swelling

Medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Last Updated: January 14, 2022 References

That dangly thing in the back of your throat has a name – it’s your uvula! It can sometimes get swollen, leading to difficulty swallowing, the urge to gag or choke, and even drooling in young kinds. A few things can cause swelling in your uvula, including bacterial and viral infections, allergies, dry mouth, acid reflux, or even your genetics. If you discover that your uvula is red or swollen, you can do some things at home, like gargling with warm water, sucking on throat lozenges, and chewing ice chips, to relieve your symptoms. If your symptoms don’t get better or if you notice swelling in a child's uvula, see your doctor.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Treating Uvula Swelling

1
Gargle with warm water and table salt. The warm water can feel soothing, and the salt can draw out the inflammation in your uvula. Don’t make the water hot – this can burn your throat and cause more damage. Add about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoons of table salt to 8 ounces of warm water and mix it together until the salt dissolves.^{[1]
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- You can gargle with warm salt water up to three times a day, just be sure not to swallow the salt water. Too much salt in your body can cause other issues.
2
Suck on a throat lozenge. You can use any kind you like, but if you’re feeling really uncomfortable or having a hard time swallowing, the type of lozenge that has numbing effects might be best.^{[2]
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- You can look for sugar-free throat lozenges in stores - it's usually pretty clearly marked on the front of the bag or box if lozenges are sugar-free. These are great if you're feeling ill but have other health concerns like diabetes.
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3
Drink hot tea and stay hydrated. The hot liquid can feel soothing on your throat and help keep you hydrated while you work to reduce swelling. If you add a bit of honey to it, it can actually coat your throat a little bit, making it easier to swallow.^{[3]
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- Herbal tea is especially good for healing sore throats. Chamomile tea with a bit of honey will work well to relieve some of your pain.
- You can also try a homemade cinnamon tea for soothing your throat. Mix 10 grams each of slippery elm bark and marshmallow root, 8 grams of dried cinnamon chips, 5 grams of dried orange peel, and 3 whole cloves in 3 cups (24 ounces) of water and simmer it for 20 minutes. Strain off the herbs and add a bit of honey if you like. You should drink all of the tea within 36 hours.
4
Chew ice chips. The ice can decrease the swelling in your uvula a little bit. And the cold in your throat can help it feel a little bit numb and make it easier to swallow.^{[4]
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5
See your doctor. A swollen uvula may have a lot causes. See your doctor and tell them about your full list of symptoms. They can prescribe medicine to ease your symptoms and treat the underlying cause. ^{[5]
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- Your doctor might need to take a swab of your throat to fully diagnose what’s causing your swollen uvula. Relax your throat as much as possible – try not to tense up at all – and it should be relatively easy to get through.
6
Take an antibiotic. Your doctor might prescribe an antibiotic to you if your swollen uvula is the result of an infection. Make sure you follow the directions for the prescription exactly. You have to take antibiotics at exactly the same time each day for the full amount of time recommended to get rid of the infection entirely.^{[6]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Recognizing Symptoms

1
Check for difficulty swallowing. If you’re having a hard time swallowing, whether it’s food, liquid, or saliva, your uvula might be swollen. Try a few practice swallows to make sure you’re having a hard time and it wasn’t just a larger-than-normal piece of food or too-big drink of something.^{[7]
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- If you're having a hard time swallowing and breathing, contact your doctor immediately.
2
Notice if there’s choking or gagging. If your uvula is swollen, you might find yourself choking or gagging even when there isn’t anything in your throat. Because your uvula hangs down in the back of your throat, any swelling in it can make you feel like you’re gagging.^{[8]
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3
Look for drooling. This is an especially important symptom to look out for in small kids, who might not be able to tell you how they’re feeling. If you notice that they are drooling more than usual, they might have a swollen uvula and should seek emergency medical help immediately.^{[9]
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4
Take your temperature. A swollen uvula is usually caused by a bacterial infection, and those infections usually come with a fever. If you’re having a hard time swallowing and you’re choking or gagging, take your temperature to see if you have a fever. Normal temperatures vary from person to person, but anything more than a degree or two above 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (or 37 degrees celsius) is a fever.^{[10]
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- If you have a fever, see your doctor immediately. A fever can indicate something much more serious is wrong, and fevers - even slight ones - in children can be very dangerous.
5
Look for a redness or swelling. If you suspect you might have a swollen uvula, you’ll have to check it in the mirror. Stand in front of a mirror that’s high enough for you to see your whole face or hold a hand mirror up. Open your mouth as wide as you can and look at your uvula – the drop shaped piece of skin in the back of your throat. If it looks red or swollen, you should see a doctor.^{[11]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Preventing A Swollen Uvula

1
Avoid alcohol. Drinking too much alcohol can cause your uvula to swell. If you notice that it swells and then goes away on its own, try reducing your alcohol intake.
- If that doesn’t work, and your uvula continues to swell, see a doctor.
2
Stop smoking. Cigarette and cigar smoke is an irritant, and if you’re getting a lot in your throat, it can cause your uvula to swell. If you’ve having problems with a swollen uvula, quit smoking.^{[12]
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3
Take allergy medication. Because a swollen uvula can be the sign of an allergic reaction, make sure you take any allergy medication you’re supposed to be taking. If you’ve never been diagnosed with an allergy but notice your uvula swells when you eat a certain food, see your doctor immediately. Any food allergy reaction that causes swelling in your throat should be treated right away since it can affect your ability to breathe.^{[13]
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4
Address acid reflux problems. If acid reflux is contributing to your swollen uvula, try to manage your symptoms. In addition to taking antacids when you feel a problem, try eating smaller meals and avoiding foods that trigger your reaction. If you are struggling to control your acid reflux on your own, talk to your doctor to create a personal treatment plan.^{[14]
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Warnings

If you have difficulty swallowing, trouble breathing, fever, or there’s blood or pus coming from your uvula, see a doctor right away.

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