Which Home Cold Remedies to Try, Which to Avoid, and When to Seek Treatment

Drink plenty of water and other fluids. Although you can’t “flush” a cold out of your system, your body will need to be hydrated to recover quickly. Be sure to drink plenty of liquids, including water, juice, light broth, tea, and warm water with lemon and honey to improve congestion. You will want to avoid liquids like coffee, soda, caffeinated drinks, and alcohol, all which worsen dehydration.

Over the counter nasal sprays/nasal drops are cold remedies. If you have an extremely stuffy nose or a lot of congestion, over the counter saline nasal drops and sprays can bring relief. Many are safe and not irritating even for children.

Salt water cold remedies. This cold remedy is helpful for sore and scratchy throats. Dissolve about ½ teaspoon of salt into an 8oz glass of warm water and gargle with it a few times a day.

Over-the-counter medicines as cold remedies. Nonprescription decongestants offer relief for adults and older children, though they have no effect on the duration of a cold nor can they prevent one. In some cases, these medications may bring side effects and can cause symptoms to worsen if used for more than a few days. Use sparingly and cough and cold medicine are an effective cold remedy. It’s not recommended to give cold medicine to very young children (younger than the age of 2) and the FDA is currently evaluating the safety of these medications for older children as well.

Humid conditions. Humidifying the air in your house can ease discomfort and lessen the duration of your cold. Cold viruses thrive in drier conditions, which would explain why they’re more common in the winter months. Dry air can also irritate and dry out the mucous membranes, causing a scratchy throat and stuffy nose. If you have a cold or are looking to avoid catching a cold this season, add a humidifier to your home. Be careful to clean your humidifier regularly—if not, you may unknowingly be adding mold, fungi, and bacteria in your home environment. Change the water regularly (daily is best) and follow all manufacturer instructions.

The following are ineffective cold remedies and should be avoided—many of these are surprisingly common.

Antibiotic cold remedies: Avoid taking antibiotics—this includes asking your doctor for them or using other old antibiotics on hand. They will not help you recover any faster as they only destroy bacteria and not the cold virus.

Zinc cold remedies: Despite zinc’s positive reputation, it has its ups and downs. Many zinc studies and randomized trials have proved that zinc offers no real benefits to those suffering from the common cold. In some cases (when not taken properly with food), it can cause nausea. Zinc should be taken within 24 hours of the first sign of cold symptoms as a preventative measure.

If at home cold remedies aren’t proving effective, take yourself to an urgent care clinic:

When you have a prolonged fever (102 degrees).
When symptoms last 2 weeks or more.
If you have trouble breathing/shortness of breath.
If you experience severe or persistent vomiting.
If you experience pain in your face/forehead.
If you feel faint.
If your cough, sore throat, or hoarse voice won’t go away after 2 weeks.

Urgent care physicians can treat you or your children immediately for any persistent cold symptoms. Walk in care means no appointments or waiting, so your family can receive immediate treatment. Learn more by visiting our website.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You are encouraged to confirm any information obtained from or through this article with other sources, and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with your physician. NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ IN OR ACCESSED THROUGH THIS ARTICLE.