Helpful Home Remedies to Treat Cold

Almost everybody experiences cold at some point. As something that is caused by a virus. It means that treating them with an antibiotic will have absolutely no effect on the condition. It is also quite common that adults are likely to end up catching it about a couple of times in a year.

While it is generally not dangerous, it can be quite an awful experience. At present, there is no cure for it. However, there are some remedies that you can do at home that may help get the symptoms reduced. Most of these home remedies do not have any side effects, thankfully. This is why despite the limited help that they may offer, one can feel assured that they are not going to do any harm.

Sipping fluids

It is always helpful to heap up on fluids when you have a cold. This is effective not only in preventing dehydration but also in thinning the mucus. Water is always the best remedy if what you want is to prevent dehydration. Juice and other liquids work too. Another way to help address the congestion is drinking tea with honey and lemon. Other hot drinks are also known to help ease sore throats a bit.

Gargling

This is an old-school remedy that has been known to help ease a sore throat- a very common symptom of a cold. There are various saltwater recipes that people can choose from and the most common one is mixing a teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water. Mixing warm water with honey and lemon juice can work charms as well. It is important to make sure that the water is not too hot though to avoid burns.

Steam

Going for a hot shower and then breathing in the steam can help diminish nasal congestion. It is also effective at easing the pressure on the sinus, though it may only be temporary. If you are not too keen on getting, a pot with boiling water can be an alternative, all you need to do is place a towel over your head and then breathe the steam in. Just make sure to close your eyes though to prevent irritation.

Correctly blowing your nose

While this might be such a no-brainer at first, a lot of people may not be aware how to do it properly. To do it right, one should have one nostril blocked first before gently blowing into the tissue. Then the same must be done to the opposite nostril too. Doing this in order is important to make sure that the nasal passages are properly cleared. It is not advised to sniff your mucus back and forth as this can lead to an earache.

Humidifiers

These tools can be quite handy if you have kids. They help add moisture to any room which may help ease up nasal congestion. One just needs to make sure that the water is changed daily and that the unit is cleaned regularly to avoid mould and mildew build-up.

Learn more about ways that you can better manage common illnesses by reading about Dr Kaine Jerome Ikwueke online.