Does Gargling With Salt Water Actually Help a Sore Throat? We Asked a Doctor

If you have a sore throat, people often recommend gargling with salt water to help you fee better. So, we brought in family medicine physician Dr. Jen Caudle to verify whether or not this is actually true.  

FAQ: Is gargling with salt water actually good for a sore throat? 

"Yes—the saltwater helps wash away the mucus that lines the throat and helps reduce inflammation. You want to use warm water, and mix ¼ tsp. of salt with a cup of water and gargle," Dr. Caudle explains.  

Plus, Dr. Caudle addresses other FAQs on swimming after you eat, feeding a cold, starving a fever, whether cracking knuckles causes arthritis, using a q-tip to clean ear wax and the best way to clean a wound.