How do you treat a cold?
Even though most people will deal with aches and pains, stuffy noses, and sore throatsa couple of times during the colder months, there still isn’t a cure for the common cold.
Why? More than 200 viruses are responsible for the one billion colds Americans deal with each year , hindering most scientists’ ability to concoct a magic solution that will work against them all. It’s clear that antibiotics—which are highly effective at knocking out bacterial infections—are useless against colds, which are caused by viruses. So most people try to ride it out and hope the sniffles will disappear in a week or so.
It’s true: sometimes you just have to let a cold run its course—but there’s much more you can do to ease your way through the symptoms more comfortably and quickly, doctors say. Ready to get out of bed? Here are 26 ways to get rid of a cold fast.
See if vitamin C works for you
If you’re going to take vitamin C, experts recommend that you having 100 to 500 milligrams a day. To help maintain levels of vitamin C throughout the day, take half of the recommended dose in the morning and half at night.
Zap it with zinc
Studies show that people who sucked on zinc lozenges that contained at least 13.3 milligrams of zinc experienced a significant reduction in the duration of their cold symptoms compared to those who popped a placebo, according to the National Institutes of Health.
This includes things like a sore throat, runny nose, and muscle aches, says Elson Haas, MD, medical director of the Preventive Medical Center of Marin in San Rafael, California. “It doesn’t work for everyone, but when it works, it works,” he says.
While zinc has an unpleasant taste, there are many brands of zinc lozenges available in a variety of flavors. Just remember to check the label, as the amount of zinc varies from brand to brand. Don’t overdo it, either. Taking more than 40 milligrams of zinc a day can cause nausea, dizziness, or vomiting. High doses over an extended period can also hinder your ability to absorb copper, another vital mineral.
🍊Don’t take vitamin C and zinc at the same time. The two bind together, making zinc less effective. Take the vitamin first or wait half an hour after your zinc lozenge has disappeared to take it.
Give grapefruit a go
In the early stages of a cold, try this recipe from Brian Berman, MD, director of the University of Maryland School of Medicine Center for Integrative Medicine and founder of the Institute of Integrative Health: Place a whole unpeeled grapefruit, sectioned into four pieces, in a pot and cover with water; heat to just under a boil. Stir and add a tablespoon of honey, then drink the liquid as you would a tea.
“The simmering releases immune boosters from the grapefruit into the water—vitamin C and flavonoids hidden between the rind and the fruit,” he says. “The concoction packs more punch than store-bought grapefruit juice, plus the warmth eases a sore throat.”
To beef up your body’s healing response, Dr. Berman swears by liquid olive leaf extract, available on Amazon.com and at health food stores. Studies suggest that its antiviral qualities can help treat colds. “You end up getting rid of mucus sooner, and it helps your immune system fight back as well.”
Eat breakfast
Any well-rounded breakfast may go a long way in helping to keep colds at bay, according to a study from the United Kingdom. Researchers there found that people who regularly eat breakfast report having the fewest number of colds and illnesses, perhaps because breakfast is simply a marker of a healthier lifestyle overall.
Not sure how to start your morning when you don't even want to get out of bed? Try scrambling up two eggs (for zinc) with 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms (immunity-boosters) and a side of spicy salsa (to ease congestion).
Be positive
A positive attitude about your body’s ability to heal itself can actually mobilize immune-system forces, says Martin Rossman, MD, author of Fighting Cancer from Within. He teaches this theory by getting his patients to practice imagery techniques to combat colds. It sounds a little hokey, but try it for yourself—it can’t hurt you. After bringing yourself into a deeply relaxed state, “imagine a white tornado decongesting your stuffed-up sinuses,” he suggests, “or an army of microscopic maids cleaning up germs with buckets of disinfectant.”
Take it easy
“Trying to keep up with your regular routine can be draining, because when you’re not feeling well, your concentration is down, and you’ll probably need to double the amount of time it takes you to do things,” Dr. Caughron says.
...and while you’re at it, be a homebody
When you’re sick, parties and other good times can wear you out physically, compromising your immune system and causing your cold to linger, says Timothy Van Ert, MD, a family physician in Mcminnville, Oregon. Stay home and snuggle up.
Layer up
Bundle up against the cold, advises Dr. Sehnert. This keeps your immune systemfocused on fighting your cold infection instead of displacing energy to protect you from the frosty temps.
Take a walk
Mild exercise improves your circulation, helping your immune system circulate infection-fighting antibodies, says Dr. Sehnert. Do gentle exercises indoors or take a brisk half-hour walk, he suggests. But refrain from strenuous exercise, he warns, which could wear you out.
Go ahead, go outside
Despite its name, getting a cold has nothing to do with temperature. (It’s caused by a viral infection, period.) In fact, a classic 1968 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that colds were no more frequent or severe in people who were chilled than in those who weren’t chilled. So if you think getting some fresh air will lift your spirits and make hanging at home and willing your cold to go away a bit more bearable, we say go for it.
Feed your cold
The very fact that you have a cold may indicate that your diet is putting a strain on your immune system, says Dr. Haas. Counteract the problem, he advises, by eating fewer fatty foods, meat, and milk products, and more fresh fruit and vegetables.
What you feed your immune system may also matter. A study conducted by Simin N. Meydani, DVM, PhD, looked into the effect of taking extra vitamin E (found in almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, and wheat germ) for colds. Although popping a daily supplement of 200 IU of vitamin E didn’t significantly shorten the duration of colds in the study, the participants who took the supplement had significantly fewer colds than those who didn’t take vitamin E. (Here’s exactly what to eat when you have a cold.)
Load up on liquids
Drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water, juice, tea, and other mostly clear liquids daily help replace important fluids lost during a cold and help flush out impurities that may be preying on your system. “Remember: Dilution is the solution to pollution,” says Dr. Haas.
Use an antihistamine if you can’t stop sneezing
Take an antihistamine, which blocks your body’s release of histamine, a chemical that causes your watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. Look for products like Chlor-Trimeton, which are available over-the-counter, advises Diane Casdorph, BS, PharmD, a clinical assistant professor in the department of clinical pharmacy at West Virginia University School of Pharmacy in Morgantown.
Warning: Antihistamines frequently cause drowsiness, so save these for bedtime or for when you won’t be driving or doing anything that requires quick reactions. If drowsiness is a problem, make sure to go for a nondrowsy formula like Claritin(just have it approved by your doc first), or talk to your doctor about options that are available by prescription.
Stop smoking
Smoking aggravates a throat that may already feel irritated from a cold, says Dr. Caughron. It also interferes with the infection-fighting activity of cilia, the microscopic “fingers” that sweep bacteria out of your lungs and throat. So if you can't kick the habit for good (it’s never too late!), at least try to avoid it while you have a cold.
Unstuff your nose with a decongestant
First, check your medicine cabinet and make sure you aren’t taking an old product that contains phenylpropanolamine, which was voluntarily withdrawn by manufacturers when the FDA warned that it was associated with an increased risk of stroke, especially in women.
Products currently on the market that do not contain phenylpropanolamine include Sudafed, Actifed, Dristan, and Contac. Before taking a nonprescription decongestant, discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist. Nasal sprays and drops, such as Afrin and Neo-Synephrine, are also effective decongestants. You shouldn’t use them for longer than three days, says Kenneth Peters, MD, medical director of the Northern California Headache Clinic. Overuse can result in a rebound effect, meaning your nose becomes more congested than ever, requiring more medication.
Gargle with salt
Gargle morning, noon, and night—or whenever it hurts most—with salt water, Dr. Van Ert says. Fill an 8-ounce glass with warm water and mix in 1 teaspoon of salt. The salt water will help soothe your sore throat.
Sip a hot toddy
Clear your stuffed-up nose and help yourself to a good night’s sleep by drinking a hot toddy—consisting of a liquor, such as rum, water, sugar, and spices—or half a glass of wine before bedtime, suggests Dr. Caughron. Don’t consume any more than that, however, because too much alcohol can stress your system, making recovery more difficult. Hot toddies only help you find momentary relief from your symptoms—they don’t actually cure a cold.
Drink tea at bedtime
If you rather skip the booze, go for another warm drink if you feel restless before bed. For a good night’s sleep, brew a cup of hops, valerian herb tea, or Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Herbal Tea, all of which have a natural tranquilizing effect. For even better results, Van Ert suggests adding a teaspoon of honey, a simple carbohydrate that has a sedative effect.
Soothe your throat with licorice root
Licorice root tea has an anesthetizing effect that calms irritated throats and relieves coughs, says Dr. Van Ert. Although licorice root is available in tea bags, he prefers making his own. Just put the root in a nonmetallic tea ball and steep in hot water for the desired amount of time. Drink it daily. (Check out five more teas for your sore throat.)
Breathe in some steam
Taking a steamy shower can help clear congestion, Dr. Peters says. Or heat a teakettle or pot of water to boiling; turn off the flame; stand above the kettle and drape a towel over your head, creating a tent; and inhale the steam until it subsides. This also relieves your cough by moistening your dry throat, he says.
You can also boil a pot of water, let it cool for about 1 minute, and then mix in a teaspoon of medicated VapoRub, suggests Woodson Merrell, MD, author of The Detox Prescription. Lean over it with your head about a foot from the steam. Again, make a tent over your head with a towel, and inhale for 5 minutes.
Another idea: Put a few drops of eucalyptus oil in a hot, running shower and inhale the steam as it accumulates, says Benjamin Kligler, MD, an associate professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. (Note: The room may be too hot for children.) You may also find comfort using a humidifier close to your bed at night, adds Dr. Van Ert.
Rinse out your nose
Your nasal congestion may also respond to saltier measures: Dr. Merrell rinses his sinuses with a store-bought nasal saline solution (or, in a pinch, dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a cup of water) to wash out pollen and thin mucus. Dr. Kligler also suggests irrigating your nose using contact lens saline solutionor a neti pot. (Don't worry, neti pots aren’t dangerous when used correctly.)
Andy Spooner, MD, chief medical information officer at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, says his two children willingly “hose their nose” when they’re sick by squirting the solution up each nostril with a bulb syringe. “Buy saline by the case, and start your kids early. It provides instant relief of congestion without side effects,” he adds. “It won’t shorten your cold, but being able to breathe through your nose makes the wait more pleasant.”
Load up on cough drops and syrups
Look for a product that contains cough-suppressing antitussives such as dextromethorphan, says Casdorph. These include Vicks cough drops and Robitussin DM cough syrup, which also contains an expectorant to loosen phlegm.
Lozenges can also combat coughs. Many of them contain topical anesthetics that slightly numb your sore throat, says Dr. Van Ert, which relieves your need to cough. Sucrets, Cepacol, and Cepastat sore throat decongestant lozenges are among them.
Menthol or camphor rubs have a soothing, cooling effect and may relieve congestion and help you breathe more easily, especially at bedtime. Apply Vicks VapoRub or a similar product to your bare chest, cover up, and get a good night’s sleep, recommends Dr. Van Ert.
Use petroleum jelly on a sore nose
Relieve a nose raw from blowing by using a cotton swab to dab on a lubricating layer of petroleum jelly around and slightly inside your nostrils, suggests Dr. Peters.
Choose chicken soup
A longtime folk remedy is now a proven fact. A cup of hot chicken soup can help unclog your nasal passages. Researchers at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach found that chicken soup increases the flow of nasal mucus. Nasal secretions serve as a first line of defense in removing germs from your system, the scientists say. It’s also known that garlic and onions have antiviral properties, and adding some spice in the form of cayenne or chile peppers can help unclog nasal passages, too.
Medicate at night
Don’t let your cold symptoms keep you from getting a healing night’s sleep. Numerous medications for colds are available without a prescription. Some treat specific symptoms. Others, like NyQuil and Contac, contain a combination of drugs—plus alcohol, in some cases—aimed at treating a wide range of symptoms.
These combination drugs, however, can have many uncomfortable side effects, such as nausea and drowsiness, says Dr. Van Ert. “I recommend taking these at night since you won’t feel the side effects while you’re sleeping.“ If you need to be on medications during the day, he suggests using those that treat just the symptoms you’re experiencing. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully, he advises.
Ease aches with aspirin or acetaminophen
Both of these options can help ease pain, but don’t overdo it, says the Food and Drug Administration. The absolute maximum limit for acetaminophen is 4,000 milligrams each day (although you can start much lower, depending on the instructions of your medication). The same limit goes for aspirin. If you’re unclear about how much to take, consult with your pharmacist first.
When should you call your doctor about your cold?
If your cold is accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms, see your doctor. Your problem may be more serious than the common cold.
- A fever that remains above 101°F for more than three days, or any fever above 103°F
- Any hot, extreme pain, such as an earache, swollen tonsils, sinus pain, or aching lungs or chest
- Excessive amounts of phlegm, or phlegm that is greenish or bloody
- Extreme difficulty swallowing
- Excessive loss of appetite
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
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