If you wake up with a sore throat, you might wonder: Was it because you left the window open or a fan running? Experts say there are a variety of reasons this happens ― but they’re thankfully often easily addressed with simple remedies.
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
While people may believe leaving a window open caused their sore throat, it really depends more on the air quality, says otolaryngologistMichael Benninger, MD. “Cool air from an open window can help people breathe better, unless the air is very dry,” Dr. Benninger says.
Fans also can dry the air, but the soothing white noise may lead to better sleep. “I suggest facing the fan away from you. It will still circulate the air while producing background noise,” he says.
Other reasons for waking up with a sore throat
“The most common reasons for a sore throat in the morning are a dry environment, especially in winter, along with mouth breathing and acid reflux,” Dr. Benninger says. Hesaysthatdehydration, hay fever, or the beginning of a cold can also be culprits. People who snore or have sleep apnea may also wake with a sore throat.
If you consider your sleeping environment and symptoms, you often can find ways to rid yourself of that sandpaper-in-your-throat feeling.
Here are some common questions to ask yourself:
- Is the air dry? If you suspect the air is dry, which tends to be a problem in the winter, use a humidifier. Drinking extra water in general, but especially before bed, can also help.
- Could you be mouth breathing? Breathing from your nose helps keep moisture in your mouth and throat. Sometimes if your nasal passages aren’t clear, you end up breathing out of your mouth. For short-term relief (fora cold), you could try oxymetazoline (Afrin®) at bedtime for a few days. For longer-term relief, you can use a steroid nasal spray (fluticasone),or you can useBreathe Right® nasal strips.
- Do you have acid reflux? People reflux more when they are in a lying position, Dr. Benninger says. “There are pillows that may help, but a healthy diet (low in acid) and weight control are the keys,” he says. If acid reflux is an issue for you, he suggests taking an H2 antihistamine like Zantac® or Pepsid® before bedtime. Also, he suggests not eating right before bed and avoiding alcohol, which can cause increased snoring.
What about allergies?
Do you have allergies? If so, treating environmental allergies can also help reduce a sore throat.
Other allergy tips include the following:
- Change air filters regularly.
- Keep pets out of your bedroom.
- Remove carpets and drapes, if possible.
- Line mattress and pillows if you are allergic to dust mites.
- Shower in the morning (the steam can soothe your throat).
It’s hard to fathom, but dust mites and debris can add five to 10 pounds to a mattress over a few years.
For some people, this advice might be even harder to fathom: “Disobey your mother’s rules and don’t make the bed,” Dr. Benninger says. “Dust mites like dark, warm environments so keep your sheets pulled untilright before you sleep.
When is ittimeto see a doctor?
If you answer “yes” to these questions, it’s time to see a doctor:
- Do you have a sore throat not associated with a virus that lasts all day?
- Is your sore throat not improving after a couple of weeks?
It’s especially important to get your throat examined by a professional if you have the above symptoms and you also smoke, have acid reflux and/or drink a lot of alcohol.
“Any associated change of voice or difficulty swallowing is more worrisome,” Dr. Benninger says.
Primary care doctors can help but if the soreness persists, it may be time to see a specialist (ENT). It could be a sign of a more serious condition.“HPV (human papilloma virus) is becoming an epidemic for oral-pharyngeal cancers. A person with multiple partners or with papilloma elsewhere should be particularly cautious,” Dr. Benninger says.
Fortunately, a sore throat in the morning that goes away after some food or drink rarely is a sign ofsomething serious.
FAQs
“For the most part, the sore throat may be brought up by cold exposure, say from an open window, but it is unlikely that that is the cause.”
Can sleeping with the window open cause a sore throat? ›
While people may believe leaving a window open caused their sore throat, it really depends more on the air quality, says otolaryngologist Michael Benninger, MD. “Cool air from an open window can help people breathe better, unless the air is very dry,” Dr.
Why do I wake up with a sore throat in my house? ›
Sleeping in a room with dry air can cause the mucous membranes in the throat to become dry and irritated, leading to a sore throat.
Why is my bedroom giving me a sore throat? ›
A sore throat at night could also be caused by allergies, dry air in the bedroom, indoor air pollution or smoking. Another less common cause of this condition is a group A Streptococcus bacterial infection, otherwise known as strep throat.
How did I get a sore throat from sleeping? ›
This is where mucus drains from the nose and into the throat. Excess mucus in the throat can lead to itching, irritation, and soreness. Postnasal drip typically increases when a person is lying down. As a result, a sore throat may worsen at night or first thing in the morning.
Can you get sick from leaving the window open while sleeping? ›
Viruses aren't spread through winter air. However, there are still some situations where it's better to leave your windows closed. If you live in a high-crime area, an open window while you sleep is a bad idea. Furthermore, if your area has high air pollution, you won't see the benefits of improved IAQ.
Why does my throat hurt after leaving window open? ›
Allergens such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and mould can cause the throat to become inflamed and irritated. If you sleep with an open window you may be exposed to these allergens overnight.
Why is my throat so sore but not sick? ›
Outdoor air pollution and indoor pollution such as tobacco smoke or chemicals can cause a chronic sore throat. Chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol and eating spicy foods also can irritate your throat. Muscle strain. You can strain muscles in your throat by yelling, talking loudly or talking for long periods without rest.
What in my house is giving me a sore throat? ›
It may be surprising, but the air quality inside your house could be causing your sore throat. Some causes of sore throat or throat irritation inside your home include: Mold exposure. Exposure to any type of smoke, but most commonly tobacco smoke.
Does mold cause a sore throat? ›
Mold exposure and your health
The symptoms of mold exposure, which appear like allergy symptoms (runny nose, itchy eyes, sore throat), generally only occur if you have an allergy to mold. If you have an underlying condition that compromises your immune system, severe mold and fungal infections can occur.
Poor indoor air quality can cause a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing or wheezing, headache, burning eyes, or skin rash. People with asthma or other breathing problems or who have allergies may have severe reactions.
What can cause a sore throat overnight? ›
If the air in your home is particularly dry, your nasal passages and throat could dry out during the night, causing you to wake with a scratchy or sore throat. It's common for indoor air to be dry during the winter months. Running your heating system during the night dries it out further.
How to get rid of a sore throat quickly? ›
Self care
- Rest. Get plenty of sleep. ...
- Drink fluids. Fluids keep the throat moist and prevent dehydration. ...
- Try comforting foods and beverage. ...
- Gargle with saltwater. ...
- Humidify the air. ...
- Consider lozenges or hard candy. ...
- Avoid irritants. ...
- Stay at home until you're no longer sick.
You can:
- Suck on ice chips or popsicles to soothe your throat. You can also try hard candies or lozenges.
- Use a humidifier if there's dry air where you sleep.
- Gargle with salt water to curb the itching in your throat.
- Drink warm beverages and plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
- Use honey to ease coughs for adults.
Sleeping with a window open may provide some benefits when you have a cold. Fresh air circulation can help maintain a healthy environment, reducing the risk of germs and preventing stuffiness when sleeping with a blocked nose. However, it's important to keep yourself warm and comfortable to avoid worsening symptoms.
Can dry air cause a sore throat? ›
When the air lacks moisture, it can lead to throat irritation, soreness and coughing. Chronic dryness may also contribute to the development of conditions such as pharyngitis and laryngitis.
Can sleeping with the air on cause a sore throat? ›
Circulating air from a fan can dry out your mouth, nose, and throat. This could lead to an overproduction of mucus, which may cause headaches, a stuffy nose, sore throat, or even snoring. While a fan won't make you sick, it may worsen symptoms if you're already under the weather.
Can a room cause a sore throat? ›
The level of humidity in your home can influence your personal health in a number of ways. Excessively high humidity, for example, is associated with higher concentrations of allergens, whereas exposure to excessively low humidity can cause health problems such as dry skin, itchy eyes, and a sore throat.
Can you get a sore throat from a night out? ›
Yes, alcohol can irritate and dehydrate your throat, leading to soreness. How long does a sore throat from alcohol last? Typically, it should improve within a few days with proper care. If it doesn't, see a doctor.
Does sleeping with the window open hurt your neck? ›
Consider your sleep environment
If you suspect cold air blowing directly on your neck might cause a stiff neck from muscle cramps, make adjustments to prevent that from happening. Pay attention to any nearby fans, vents or open windows.
