This article was co-authored by Zora Degrandpre, ND and by wikiHow staff writer, Amber Crain. Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
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Dealing with a cold is usually an unpleasant experience and you want to feel better fast! Since the common cold is caused by a virus, prescription antibiotics and over-the-counter medications won't get rid of it.[1] The best way to fight a cold is to rest as much as possible, keep your sinuses clear of mucus, and drink plenty of fluids. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, your symptoms should go away on their own within a few weeks, but you should call your doctor if your symptoms last longer than that.[2]
Steps
Clearing Mucus from Your Sinuses
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Blow your nose frequently to help reduce mucus. Apply pressure to one nostril and blow gently through the other nostril into a facial tissue. Repeat the process for the other nostril. Try to avoid sniffling as much as possible, since this causes mucus to trickle down your throat and into your chest.[3]
- Be sure to blow gently—blowing too hard can damage your nasal passages.
- Use soft tissues with lotion to prevent skin irritation around your nose.
- Colds are extremely contagious so don't forget to dispose of the tissues and wash your hands when you're done![4]
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Run a hot shower and inhale the steam for 20 minutes to thin mucus. Steam inhalation loosens mucus so you can blow it out of your nose more effectively. The easiest way to inhale steam is by getting into a hot shower and taking slow, deep breaths for about 20 minutes. If you don't want to get in the water, close the bathroom door and breathe in steam as it fills the room. Try doing this twice a day for sinus relief.[5]
- A warm shower can also refresh you and soothe muscle aches caused by fever.
- If you prefer, fill a large bowl with hot water, position your face several inches over the bowl, and inhale steam that way. You can do this for a few minutes several times per day for relief. Don't place your face too close to steaming hot water because it can burn you.
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Add moisture to the air and loosen congestion with a cool mist humidifier. Fill the humidifier or vaporizer with distilled water and place it at least 3–4 ft (0.91–1.22 m) from your bed. You can run the machine several times per day or during the night, but don't run it 24/7. Be sure to drain and clean your humidifier or vaporizer every day to prevent bacteria growth.[6]
- Running a humidifier 24/7 creates damp surfaces that encourage mold and mildew to grow. Mold and mildew growth in your home can cause health problems like allergic reactions, coughing, and breathing difficulties.
- Tap water contains minerals that build up in your machine and get released as white dust into the air. This dust can worsen breathing problems, so always use distilled water.
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Use a saline solution to flush your sinuses and lessen mucus. Saline is a natural mixture of salt and water and you can purchase pre-made saline drops over-the-counter at any pharmacy. Stand over a sink with your head bent downward, place the tip of the bottle in one of your nostrils, and spray. Rotate your head back and forth and let the solution drip back out of your nose naturally. Then, repeat the process in your other nostril. When you’re done, blow your nose gently to remove any leftover saline solution.[7]
- Avoid swallowing the saline solution. If you feel it entering your throat, lower your head over the sink further.
- Never put solution into both nostrils at the same time to avoid blocking your airways.
Administering Saline to an Infant: Squirt 2-3 drops of saline into your baby's nostril. Then, place the tip of a bulb syringe in the nostril and suck out the solution and mucus gently. Do the same thing for the other nostril.[8]
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Irrigate your sinuses with saline by using a Neti pot. Fill the Neti pot with distilled water and mix the saline powder into it. Then, tilt your head sideways and place the spout of the Neti pot in the upper nostril. Breathe through your mouth and pour the saline solution into your nostril slowly. The liquid will drain through your nasal system and come out of your lower nostril after 3-4 seconds. Repeat with the other nostril and blow your nose gently when you're done.[9]
- Always clean and dry your Neti pot thoroughly between uses. Otherwise, you may flood your nostrils with germs and bacteria the next time you use the pot.
- Tap water is not safe to use in a Neti pot unless you boil it first to kill bacteria and organisms. Bacteria and organisms in tap water can cause serious infections and, in rare cases, death. Be sure to let the water cool before administering it!
Supporting Your Recovery
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Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and help you recover. Drinking lots of fluids keeps the lining of your nostrils and throat from drying out, prevents dehydration, and moistens mucus so that it's easier to get rid of. Water is the best choice, but unsweetened fruit juices, decaffeinated herbal teas, and sports drinks are okay in moderation.[10]
- Avoid caffeinated beverages like coffee, black tea, and soft drinks, which can cause dehydration.
- Warm, steaming fluids can provide additional relief by loosening mucus.[11]
- Honey can soothe a sore throat and it's quite tasty in hot tea!
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Rest as much as possible so that your body can heal. Your body needs all the energy it can get to heal itself, so make sure you get plenty of rest. Take time off from work or school and try to spend most of your time sitting or lying down. This is a great time to binge your favorite series or catch up on your reading! Make sure you sleep at least 8 hours every night to help strengthen your immune system.[12]
- Try using an additional pillow to elevate your head while you sleep. This can help your nose drain more effectively.
- Avoid exercising while you're showing symptoms—you can return to your normal routine once you're feeling better.
Staying Home Protects Others: Prevent transmission of the virus by staying away from other people while you're ill. Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap so that you don't contaminate objects around you.[13]
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Eat hot chicken soup to relieve a stuffy nose and keep your energy up. Hot chicken soup can relieve congestion and is a good source of nutrition to help keep you going while you're ill. Be sure to breathe in the steam as you sip or eat your soup for sinus relief![14]
- Chicken soup is also convenient and readily available in cans, which is helpful when you aren't feeling well and don't have the energy to cook. Just open the can, pour the soup into a heat-safe bowl, and heat it up in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
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Gargle with warm salt water to soothe a sore throat. Stir 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon (1 to 2 grams) of table salt into 4 to 8 ounces (118 to 236 ml) of warm water. Tilt your head back, pour the solution into your mouth, and gargle for about 60 seconds. When you're done, spit the salt water out into your sink.[15]
- Take care not to swallow any salt water since it can make you sick to your stomach.
- Gargling salt water is safe for adults and children over the age of 6.
Facts about Folk Remedies: Popular natural and folk remedies like echinacea, eucalyptus, garlic, lemon, menthol, zinc, and vitamin C will not help you get rid of a cold. Some of them may help to relieve certain symptoms, but science does not support anything beyond temporary relief for symptoms.[16]
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Avoid cigarettes, tobacco products, and alcohol to heal faster. Tobacco use can weaken your immune system and exacerbate many cold symptoms. In addition, the added strain on your throat and lungs slows the healing process. Avoid cigarettes or try to cut down as much as you can. Alcohol can cause dehydration and put a strain on your immune system, as well.[17]
- Stay away from other smokers—secondhand smoke can still irritate your throat.
When to Seek Medical Care
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Visit your doctor if your symptoms last longer than 10 days. Most colds go away within 7-10 days. If you’re still dealing with cold symptoms after 10 days, then you may need additional care. It’s also possible that you have a different medical condition or secondary infection. See your doctor to make sure you’re recovering properly.[18]
- Tell your doctor about all of the symptoms you’ve experienced as well as how long you’ve had them.
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Get immediate care if you develop severe symptoms. While a cold usually goes away on its own, you may develop worsening symptoms. When this happens, it’s best to see a doctor to make sure you’re okay. Call your doctor if you experience the following severe symptoms:[19]
- Fever over 102 °F (39 °C)
- Fever lasting longer than 5 days
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing or chest pressure
- Confusion or disorientation
- Swollen glands in the neck or jaw
- Ear pain
- Vomiting or stomach pain (in children)
- Extreme drowsiness or difficulty waking up (in children)
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Talk to your doctor about other treatment options if nothing helps. Since the common cold is caused by a virus, there’s no cure for it. However, your doctor may be able to treat your symptoms to help you feel better. If you have developed a secondary infection, such as a bacterial infection, your doctor can treat it with antibiotics.[20]
- If you have a serious cough, your doctor may be able to give you a cough suppressant.
- Your doctor may recommend you take over-the-counter pain relievers to help with your symptoms.
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow does garlic help your sore throat?Zora Degrandpre, NDDr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
Natural Health DoctorGarlic has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties and can help kill off any viruses and bacteria that may be causing your sore throat. Garlic also contains anti-oxidants and other substances that can help boost the immune system-- in other words, supporting your own body in getting rid of whatever is causing your sore throat. -
QuestionAt what point should I seek medical attention for coughing?Zora Degrandpre, NDDr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
Natural Health DoctorFor children with a cough, the "red flags" that indicate that it is time to see a doctor are:1) You suspect that the child may have inhaled some object or the coughing begins suddenly or is very violent 2) If it is getting worse 3) in very young children 4) if the cough lasts longer than 3-4 weeks, especially if it is a "wet cough" and 5) any odd sounding cough-- with either "whoops"or "wheezes". In adults, the red flags include 1)coughing up any blood or a large amount of mucus 2) any cough that doesn't get better in about 2 weeks 3) other symptoms like fever, weight loss, sweating 4) any difficulty breathing. -
QuestionI cannot use saline. Are there any other ways?Zora Degrandpre, NDDr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
Natural Health DoctorTry putting 1 teaspoon each of thyme and oregano into about 2 cups of hot, steaming water. Cover your head with a towel and bend over the bowl with the herbs, inhaling the steam through your nose as much as you can. You can re-use this solution during the day-- keep heating up the water and breathing in the steam 3-4 times a day. You can also try putting a dab of VapoRub right around your nostrils-- if this is too strong, put some on your chest. The vapors can help relieve congestion.
Tips
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There's not enough scientific evidence to support claims that natural and folk remedies, like echinacea, eucalyptus, garlic, lemon, menthol, zinc, and vitamin C, actually help you get rid of a cold.[21]Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/for-patients/common-illnesses/colds.html
- ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=85&ContentID=P00620
- ↑ https://familydoctor.org/condition/colds-and-the-flu/
- ↑ https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0103-remedies-common-cold
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/for-patients/common-illnesses/colds.html
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002104.htm
- ↑ https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/saline-sinus-rinse-recipe
- ↑ https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/suctioning-the-nose-with-a-bulb-syringe
- ↑ https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/rinsing-your-sinuses-neti-pots-safe
- ↑ https://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/influenza/facts-about-the-common-cold.html
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/359266
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/for-patients/common-illnesses/colds.html
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000466.htm
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/359266
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sore-throat/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351640
- ↑ https://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/influenza/facts-about-the-common-cold.html
- ↑ https://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/influenza/facts-about-the-common-cold.html
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/for-patients/common-illnesses/colds.html
- ↑ https://familydoctor.org/condition/colds-and-the-flu/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351611
- ↑ https://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/influenza/facts-about-the-common-cold.html
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