Throat Hurts on One Side When Swallowing: Causes and Relief

Why Does My Throat Hurt on One Side When I Swallow?

If your throat hurts on one side when you swallow, the cause is usually irritation or inflammation on that side, such as post-nasal drip, a swollen tonsil, a canker sore, or a swollen lymph node.

Most cases improve with rest, fluids, and time. Other possible causes include tonsillitis, COVID-19, acid reflux, and tooth infections that radiate pain into the throat.

When to get checked quickly: severe pain, drooling, trouble breathing or swallowing, a high fever that won’t come down, a rash, joint swelling, or symptoms that come on suddenly. In young children, watch for drooling and signs of dehydration. Go to the emergency room if breathing becomes difficult.

12 Potential Causes of Throat Hurting on One Side

Your throat might hurt for many different reasons, such as:

1. Infections

An infection is the most common cause of throat pain and inflammation on one side. Pharyngitis is the result of inflammation in the back of the throat. It’s a frequent symptom of many types of infections, including:

Viral Infection

The common cold is a viral infection that can cause a sore throat, along with additional symptoms like:

• Sneezing
• Runny or stuffed-up nose
• Coughing
• Post nasal drip
• Watery or itchy eyes
• Fever

You can’t fix a cold with antibiotics — they don’t work against viruses — but you can soothe your symptoms with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter relief. Cold symptoms often peak within 2 to 3 days and usually improve within a week.

Bacterial Infection

Strep throat is a common bacterial infection caused by group A Streptococcus. The primary symptom of strep throat is soreness, pain, and swelling in the throat.

You might notice more pain on one side of your throat when swallowing. You may also notice:

• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Red and swollen tonsils
• White spots on the tonsils
• Red spots on the roof of your mouth

A clinician usually confirms strep throat with a rapid strep test and, in some cases, a throat culture before prescribing antibiotics. Patients with clear viral symptoms — runny nose, cough, hoarseness — generally don’t need strep testing. When strep is confirmed, antibiotics shorten the illness and reduce the chance of complications, and most people feel better within a few days of starting treatment.

Tooth Abscess or Infection

A tooth or dental abscess is a localized bacterial infection in the mouth that can cause an accumulation of pus in your gums or near the root of a tooth.

You might notice pain on one side of your throat if you have a dental abscess. Additional symptoms include:

• Severe toothache
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
• Redness and swelling near the abscess
• Pain in the gums and jaw
• Bad breath
• Tooth sensitivity
• Pain while chewing
• Fever

If you suspect a tooth infection, see a dentist immediately. Tooth infections can spread to the rest of your body if not treated promptly.

2. Swollen Lymph Nodes

Swollen lymph nodes in your neck are one of the most common reasons your throat hurts more on one side. The glands swell when they’re fighting an infection nearby — a cold, strep throat, a tooth infection, or tonsillitis.

One gland often swells more than the other, which causes the tenderness to feel one-sided. The swelling typically settles once the underlying infection clears.

3. Post-Nasal Drip

Post-nasal drip describes a trickle of mucus from your sinuses into your throat. It has many causes, including viral infections like colds, allergies, sinus infections, and temporary conditions like dry or polluted air.

Whatever the cause, post-nasal drip can irritate your throat. It may be a minor discomfort or lead to inflammation and soreness in the throat.

You may experience more soreness on one side of the throat from post-nasal drip if the mucus is coming prominently from one sinus.

You can often treat post-nasal drip with at-home measures and over-the-counter medications. However, if your sore throat continues for an extended period, you should consult a doctor.

4. Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis — infection of the tonsils on the back wall of your throat — is one of the clearest causes of one-sided sore throat, because the tonsils can become infected on just one side. It’s most likely to develop in children between the ages of 5 to 15.

It’s possible for just one tonsil, or the tonsils on one side of your throat, to be affected. That’s why only part of your throat may hurt when you swallow.

A sore throat is the main symptom of tonsillitis, but other possible symptoms include:

• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Snoring
• Dry cough

Some cases of tonsillitis are minor and will subside with appropriate treatment. Recurring or severe tonsillitis may require surgical removal of the tonsils.

5. Peritonsillar Abscess

One complication of tonsillitis is a peritonsillar abscess or quinsy. It’s an infection that causes pus to collect next to the tonsils. It can inflict pain on one side of the throat.

Symptoms of a peritonsillar abscess include:

• Fever and chills
• Severe pain on one side of the throat
• Ear pain on one side
• Pain when opening the mouth or swallowing
• Swollen or tender lymph nodes
• Drooling
• Headache and neck stiffness

A peritonsillar abscess needs immediate medical attention. The abscess can rupture and lead to serious complications.

6. GERD

Acid reflux can cause throat pain that feels worse on one side, especially after meals or at night. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) develops when the lower esophageal sphincter doesn’t seal properly, letting stomach acid back into the esophagus.

Common triggers include smoking, pregnancy, and the side effects of certain medications. The most common symptoms include:

• Heartburn
• Regurgitation
• Chest pain
• Nausea
• Pain while swallowing

Chest pain isn’t always GERD. Get medical help right away if chest pain comes with shortness of breath or pain in the jaw or arm — those can be signs of a heart problem.

If your throat is painful on one side while swallowing and you have these additional symptoms, you may have GERD.

Many people can manage GERD with over-the-counter medications and lifestyle changes. If your symptoms don’t respond, your doctor can prescribe acid-reducing medication.

7. COVID-19

A sore throat may also be a sign of COVID-19. Though symptoms depend on the variant, you may experience:

• Sore throat on one or both sides
• Cough
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• New loss of taste or smell

Though COVID-19 can cause many symptoms, you might have only a sore throat. If you don’t know why your throat hurts or you suspect exposure, take a test for COVID-19 or contact your doctor.

8. Canker Sores

A canker sore can be very painful. If you have a soreness towards the back of your mouth, it may cause pain on one side when swallowing.

Symptoms of canker sores include:

• Small, painful red spot or bump that becomes an open ulcer
• White or yellow center of the bump
• Gray coloration while healing
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes

You can reduce your symptoms with at-home treatments. Contact your doctor if your canker sores:

• Don’t go away within two weeks
• Recur frequently
• Accompany symptoms like fever, headache, and diarrhea

9. Injury

It’s possible to injure the back of your throat, causing pain on one side. Things that can cause injury and pain in the throat include:

• Burns from hot food or beverages
• Sharp edges of food, like chips
• Intubation (the insertion of a tube in the throat)
• Swallowing a foreign object

You may be able to soothe irritation from an injury with a saltwater gargle. If the pain doesn’t go away within a few days or you suspect a severe injury, seek medical help promptly.

If you may have swallowed a harmful chemical, don’t wait and don’t try home remedies. Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 or use PoisonHelp.org right away. Call 911 if there is trouble breathing, a collapse, a seizure, or the person can’t be woken up.

10. Cancer

Head and neck cancers are another possible cause of a sore throat on one side. They are uncommon — accounting for nearly 4% of all cancers in the United States — but worth knowing the signs.

In addition to throat soreness, symptoms worth checking include:

• A lump in the neck
• A mouth or throat sore that doesn’t heal
• A sore throat, neck or throat pain, hoarseness, or voice change that doesn’t go away
• Trouble swallowing
• Ear pain, ringing, or hearing trouble
• Red or white patches inside the mouth
• Unusual mouth pain or bleeding
• Chronic sinus symptoms that don’t clear
• Trouble breathing or talking
• Headaches
• Facial swelling and pain

You may be at a higher risk of developing head or neck cancer if you use tobacco and alcohol, have certain infections, or are exposed to certain substances in a work environment.

The earlier cancer is caught, the more likely treatment is to work. Schedule an appointment with a doctor or dentist if any of these symptoms are persistent, unexplained, or getting worse — especially a neck lump, a non-healing sore, trouble swallowing, or a voice change.

11. Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia and Trigeminal Neuralgia

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GN) involves extreme pain in the back of the throat, tongue, or ear. It can happen when the glossopharyngeal nerve is irritated or compressed. Blood-vessel compression is a common identified cause; less common causes include tumors or lesions, multiple sclerosis, infections, trauma, or Eagle syndrome. Some cases remain idiopathic.

You may experience pain that feels like an electric shock. It may happen out of nowhere or be triggered by swallowing. Individual attacks are usually brief — seconds to a couple of minutes — but they can repeat in clusters over days, weeks, or months. A clinician should evaluate this kind of recurring nerve pain.

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a chronic pain disorder affecting the trigeminal nerve, which has three branches in your face and head. It may be linked to a blood vessel pressing on the nerve, an underlying condition like multiple sclerosis or a tumor, or no clear cause at all.

TN may cause:

• Sudden, intense pain on one side of the face
• Attacks of pain that last a few seconds or minutes
• Numbness or tingling
• Burning, throbbing, or electric sensations

GN and TN have medical and surgical treatment options you can discuss with your doctor.

12. Laryngitis and Other Throat Disorders

Laryngitis refers to an inflammation of the larynx or voice box. You might develop laryngitis from straining, irritation, or infection.

Symptoms can worsen during the first 2 to 3 days. You’ll notice symptoms like:

• Sore throat (on one or both sides)
• Hoarseness
• Difficulty talking
• Fever
• Cough
• Constant urge to clear your throat

Laryngitis often improves on its own within about a week, though symptoms can worsen during the first few days. Contact your doctor if it doesn’t get better within a week, or if your symptoms worsen.

How Do I Treat a Sore Throat on One Side?

Treatment for one-sided throat soreness depends on the cause.

Over-the-Counter Treatments

Many conditions have over-the-counter treatments you can try to recover. You can use cough drops, decongestants, and antihistamines to relieve symptoms if you have a common cold or allergies.

Drugstores typically offer antacids that can help you reduce your side effects from GERD. For canker sores and lesions, you may be able to find topical treatments to soothe pain.

Over-the-counter pain relievers can help, too. Acetaminophen reduces pain and fever. Ibuprofen also reduces inflammation, which can ease throat soreness.

Prescription Treatments

Some causes of a sore throat will need prescription treatment from a doctor to heal. Confirmed strep throat is treated with antibiotics. A dental abscess needs prompt dental treatment to clear the source of infection — for example, draining the abscess or doing a root canal. Antibiotics are added when the infection has spread or you have symptoms like fever or feeling generally unwell.

Your doctor can prescribe medication to reduce acid if you have severe GERD. They can also give you prescription creams, mouthwashes, and medicine to heal recurring canker sores.

Head and neck cancers necessitate in-depth, long-term treatment such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery to remove tumors.

Home Remedies

You can try some do-it-yourself remedies at home to soothe symptoms. Top home remedies for relieving throat soreness on one side include:

• Saltwater rinses – Gargling warm water with salt can soothe a sore throat.
• Hot tea – Warm or hot herbal teas may have a soothing effect. Peppermint and chamomile are two popular options.
• Honey – Honey can coat your throat and may help calm cough. Take it in a spoon or mix it into your tea. Do not give honey to children under 12 months.

Can a Sore Throat on One Side Be Prevented?

You can help prevent a sore throat by taking steps to keep yourself and others healthy, such as:

• Wash your hands frequently
• Avoid contact with people who have infections
• Don’t smoke
• Drink adequate water and get plenty of rest
• Take antihistamines for chronic allergies
• Follow your doctor’s guidance

When Should I Seek Medical Help for a Sore Throat on One Side?

You should seek medical help for a sore throat on one side if it doesn’t improve within a few days, gets worse, becomes severe, or is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• High fever that doesn’t go away
• Difficulty eating, breathing, or talking
• Blood in saliva or phlegm
• Signs of dehydration
• Rashes
• Joint pain
• Hearing issues
• Severe headaches
• Drooling or inability to handle saliva (especially in young children)

Always consult a doctor for professional guidance if you’re unsure what’s causing a severe or chronic sore throat.

Summary

Your throat might hurt on one side for many reasons, including viral and bacterial infections, laryngitis, allergies, injury, or cancer.

You may be able to soothe a sore throat with over-the-counter treatments like lozenges or pain-relieving medications. For other conditions, you may need prescription medicine from a doctor. Confirmed strep throat is treated with antibiotics — usually after a rapid strep test or throat culture. A dental abscess needs prompt dental care to clear the infection, with antibiotics added when it has spread or you have systemic symptoms.

Preventing a sore throat can be accomplished by washing your hands, avoiding people who are sick, and taking care of yourself. Always consult your doctor if a sore throat is severe, getting worse, or not improving within a few days.