8 Reasons Your Throat Hurts When Yawning

Throat pain that worsens when yawning is a common symptom of many different health conditions and infections. It is often associated with an infection or exposure to environmental irritants. Treatment aims to address the underlying cause and provide supportive therapy to alleviate symptoms.

1. Strep Throat

Strep throat is a bacterial infection that causes an extremely painful, sore throat. Swallowing, yawning, or coughing can worsen the pain. Other symptoms caused by strep throat include:

• Chills
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• White patches in the throat

Strep throat is caused by a group A streptococcal infection. A throat swab test can confirm whether the symptoms are caused by strep. Treatment will include antibiotics and remedies to reduce throat pain, such as over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers and gargling with salt water.

2. Postnasal Drip

Postnasal drip is when mucus drips from the back of the nose into the throat. It can develop as a result of several different causes, including allergies, infections, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, chronic acid reflux).

Postnasal drip can cause a sore throat that worsens when yawning or swallowing. Treatment focuses on alleviating the underlying condition that causes the symptoms. This may include treating GERD if it’s present, taking antihistamines for allergies, or thinning out mucus with a saline nasal spray.

3. Viral Infection

A viral infection, such as a cold or the flu, is the most common cause of a sore throat, also known as pharyngitis. These infections tend to occur during the colder months and are easily spread among family members. Other symptoms of viral pharyngitis include:

• Fever
• Joint or muscle pain
• Skin rash
• Swollen lymph nodes

The throat pain tends to go away after one week. Treatment is supportive with the use of OTC medications and home remedies. Antibiotics cannot treat this type of infection.

4. Environmental Irritants

Particles in the environment can irritate the throat. This can cause a sore throat that worsens when you yawn, cough, or swallow. You may not otherwise feel sick. Potential irritants are:

• Chemicals
• Hot, dry air
• Smog
• Smoke

Prevention is a key treatment for environmental irritants. You may not be able to avoid all irritants, but it can help reduce the incidence of painful sore throats.

5. Mononucleosis

Mononucleosis, frequently referred to as “mono,” is a viral infection that causes an extremely painful, sore, and swollen throat. The pain can worsen when swallowing, coughing, or yawning. Other symptoms of mono include:

As a viral infection, treatment aims to reduce symptoms with supportive therapies, including rest, fluids, and OTC pain medication.

6. Throat Cancer

Throat cancer can cause many different types of symptoms, one of which is pain in the throat. There may be a lump in the back of the throat, swelling in the neck, headaches, and congestion.

This type of cancer tends to occur more in men and those between the ages of 50 and 60. Treatment will vary from person to person and may include radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy.

7. Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is swelling of the tonsils, which are organs at the back of your throat that are part of the lymphatic system. It is typically caused by a viral infection, but it can also be caused by bacterial infections, such as strep throat.

The tonsils sit on either side of the back of the throat. When they become swollen and inflamed, it causes throat pain. Tonsillitis is most commonly seen in children, but it can also occur in adults.

Tonsillitis treatment is aimed at treating the underlying cause. If it’s a viral infection, then treatment is supportive. A bacterial infection may be treated with antibiotics.

8. Peritonsillar Abscess

A peritonsillar abscess is a fluid-filled pocket that occurs in the back of the throat and can be a serious medical issue. This abscess is typically a complication of tonsillitis and usually forms adjacent to the tonsils. The abscess can cause pain and make it difficult to open the mouth, speak, swallow, and, in severe cases, even breathe.

A healthcare provider will need to treat a peritonsillar abscess. Treatment may include draining the abscess, and some people may also need a tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils).

How to Ease Throat Pain

Throat pain treatment is often focused on relieving the underlying cause. This may include antibiotics for a bacterial infection or the removal of environmental irritants.

Several home remedies can alleviate the pain:

• Drinking warm fluids
• Honey (do not give to babies under 1 year old due to risk of infant botulism)
• OTC pain relievers as appropriate for age and condition (aspirin should not be used by people under age 19 due to risk of Reye’s snydrome)
• Saltwater gargle
• Sucking on ice chips
• Using throat lozenges

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

A sore throat can be a simple infection that resolves on its own or it can be a symptom of a medical condition that needs treatment.

Contact a healthcare provider if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Blood in the mucus or saliva
• Dehydration
• Difficulty breathing
• Frequent acid reflux
• Joint pain or swelling
• Pain or difficulty when swallowing
• Rash

If symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they initially improve but then worsen, contact a healthcare provider.

Summary

Throat pain that worsens when yawning can be a symptom of various health issues, such as strep throat. Contact a healthcare provider if the pain does not get better in a few days or worsens.

Treatments vary and are generally focused on relieving any underlying condition. Home treatments to help with the pain can include gargling salt water, throat lozenges, and over-the-counter pain medication.