Common Cold Remedies

Most Popular Home Remedies for Fighting the Common Cold

What are some of the most popular home remedies for fighting the common cold, and which ones actually work? As you can imagine, there are plenty of home remedies for cold and flu, home remedies for cold for babies, children, seniors and so on, just as there are home remedies for anything, really. However, we’ve got some bad news for you: nothing can actually cure a cold. It’s possible to ease the symptoms, but there are some remedies that simply won’t do the trick, no matter how much they push the narrative on how to get rid of a cold.

You need to understand first what is the treatment of a cold and flu actually compose of so you can finally understand how to prevent a cold after exposure; once you’re armed with knowledge, you’re ready to apply some home remedies for cold and flu that will help you feel better!

We’ve prepared a list of those common cold remedies that can help, and another one for those that won’t help at all (not helpful common cold home remedies). Take a look at each so you can understand not only their procedure, but their science as well.

Remedies That Work

If you catch a cold, it’s common for it to last about three days. In order to alleviate the pain, however, these are the best remedies for you:

• 1. Stay hydrated with water, juice, warm liquids or warm lemon water with honey (they’ll loosen congestion too). Avoid alcohol, coffee and sodas, though.
• 2. Rest a lot.
• 3. Use saltwater to gargle in order to soothe your sore throat.
• 4. Saline nasal drops and sprays can help you relieve congestion.
• 5. Take some medicine, like acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirins. However, the two last ones shouldn’t be given as home remedies for cold for babies. Ask your child’s doctor what’s the correct medicine and dose for them.
• 6. Add some moisture to the air through a vaporizer; it will loosen your congestion.

Remedies That Don’t Work

There are actually many ineffective home remedies for cold and flu symptoms out there, but we’ll quote only two, which are the most common ones:

1. Antibiotics. Don’t use any kind of antibiotics: they fight bacteria, not cold viruses.

2. Although they might not be life-threatening, cough medication can be a negative effect for children. Don’t administer it to them (nor to yourself; it won’t solve anything, anyways).

Unclear Remedies

Science is still debating whether the following common cold remedies could be considered remedies, as evidence is inconclusive. We welcome you to read them thorough, though, just so you can stay updated of their current status or research home remedies for common cold online:

1. Although vitamin C won’t prevent a cold, it has been proven that taking it before the onset of cold symptoms may shorten their duration. Vitamin C might be helpful to people who suffer colds frequently.

2. Study results are inconclusive on whether echinacea actually works. Some researchers say they don’t, but if you take it when you start noticing cold symptoms, it’s said to be useful. However, because it can interact with drugs, it’s preferable to check with your doctor first.

3. Zinc has been pretty divisive for decades, ever since it showed that it could keep people from getting sick, but also exhibiting harmful side effects. Once again, check with your doctor first before even consuming it.

Last Considerations

How Long Does A Cold Last? Symptoms typically last about three days, but the cold itself will remain from 4 to 10 days. Symptoms are the worst part (be careful with babies, though, as cold is rather dangerous for them), so once you’re past them, it’s just a matter of waiting and taking care.

Why are colds worse at night? That’s because your body’s circadian rhythms can exacerbate your symptoms on night-time. Don’t worry: this is not dangerous (but again, if your baby suffers more at night-time, it’s a red light!).

Should I stay home with a cold? Yes, you should! If you wash your hands often and if your symptoms aren’t risky for you and your co-workers, you could try to go work. But, as our lists above mentioned, rest is one key factor to fully recover.

As you could see, some of the most popular home remedies for fighting the common cold can be effective and harmless, but some could prove to be deadly too, just as many other home remedies for anything. However, it’s better to skip your usual home remedies for cold and flu (especially the home remedies for cold for babies!) and ask your doctor how to prevent colds after exposure and what is the treatment of cold and flu symptoms instead. Just because some remedies might work, it’s better to get factual solutions from an expert!

‍