What are the most effective over-the-counter cold medicines for relieving runny nose, stuffy nose, and cough symptoms. How do different types of cold medicines work to alleviate specific cold and flu symptoms. Which cold medicines are safe and suitable for children, pregnant individuals, and those with chronic health conditions.

Understanding Cold Medicine Types and Their Effects

When battling a cold or flu, choosing the right over-the-counter (OTC) medication can make a significant difference in symptom relief. However, the wide variety of available products can be overwhelming. To select the most effective cold medicine, it’s crucial to identify which specific symptoms you want to address. Using the wrong medication for your symptoms may result in ineffective treatment.

Cold medicines targeting specific symptoms can be beneficial, but it’s important to note that some may not be suitable for pregnant individuals, those with chronic health conditions, or young children. Additionally, certain cold medicines may cause side effects. This comprehensive guide will explore the best cold medicines for various symptoms, including runny nose, stuffy nose, and cough, as well as discuss safe options for children and potential medication interactions.

Treating a Runny Nose: Effective Solutions and Considerations

A runny nose, also known as rhinitis, is a common symptom of colds and flu. While OTC medicines are unlikely to provide significant relief for a cold-induced runny nose, there are prescription options available.

Prescription Options for Runny Nose

Topical anticholinergics, such as ipratropium bromide nasal spray, can help reduce nasal discharge. However, these medications require a doctor’s prescription. The recommended usage varies depending on the underlying cause:

• For colds: Individuals aged 5 years and older can use ipratropium 0.06% nasal spray three to four times daily for up to 4 days.
• For seasonal allergies: Those aged 5 years and older can use ipratropium 0.06% nasal spray four times daily for up to 3 weeks.
• For year-round allergies: People aged 6 years and older can use ipratropium 0.03% nasal spray two to three times daily.

It’s important to note that anticholinergics may not be safe for everyone, particularly those with certain health conditions like glaucoma or those taking specific medications. Always consult a doctor before using these medicines to ensure they are suitable for your individual circumstances.

Antihistamines for Allergy-Related Runny Nose

In some cases, a runny nose may be a symptom of an allergic reaction rather than a cold. If allergies are the cause, antihistamines may provide relief. These medications work by blocking the effects of histamine, a chemical released by the body during an allergic response.

Combating Nasal Congestion: Decongestant Options and Precautions

Decongestants are effective in relieving a stuffy nose, also known as nasal congestion. These medications are available in various forms, including oral tablets, nasal drops, and sprays.

Oral Decongestants

Pseudoephedrine, found in Sudafed, is a popular oral decongestant. While it’s available without a prescription in many states, there are restrictions on its purchase due to the risk of dependency and adverse effects. Buyers must provide photo identification, and pharmacies are required to keep purchaser details for at least two years, as mandated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Pseudoephedrine is only suitable for individuals aged 6 years and older.

Phenylephrine, present in Sudafed PE, is another oral decongestant that offers short-term relief from nasal congestion. This medication is available on pharmacy shelves without restrictions.

Topical Nasal Sprays

Nasal sprays provide quick relief from congestion but may cause rebound congestion if overused. It’s crucial to limit the use of decongestants to no more than 3 consecutive days to avoid potential side effects.

Precautions and Side Effects

Decongestants can cause adverse effects in some individuals, including insomnia, increased heart rate, or elevated blood pressure. It’s essential to be aware of these potential side effects and consult a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.

Combination Cold Medicines: Benefits and Risks

Some cold medicines contain multiple ingredients to address various symptoms simultaneously. For example, some formulations combine decongestants with antihistamines.

Nighttime Cold and Flu Formulations

Antihistamines, typically used for allergies, are often added to nighttime cold and flu medications due to their drowsiness-inducing effects. This can be beneficial for individuals who have difficulty falling asleep while battling a cold. However, it’s important to note that adding an antihistamine to a decongestant does not guarantee improved sleep, and some people may experience insomnia as a side effect of decongestants.

Importance of Reading Labels

When using combination cold medicines, it’s crucial to carefully read the full ingredient list to ensure the product addresses your specific symptoms and doesn’t interact with any other medications you may be taking. A pharmacist can provide guidance in selecting a safe and appropriate product.

Treating Different Types of Cough: Wet vs. Dry

Coughs associated with colds and flu can be categorized as either “wet” (productive) or “dry” (non-productive). The type of cough you have will determine the most appropriate treatment approach.

Wet Cough Treatment

A wet or productive cough produces mucus. For this type of cough, doctors generally do not recommend cough suppressants. Instead, individuals with a wet cough may benefit from taking guaifenesin, an expectorant that is claimed to help loosen mucus and phlegm, making it easier to expel.

Dry Cough Treatment

For a dry cough that doesn’t produce mucus, cough suppressants may be appropriate. Dextromethorphan (DXM) is a common cough suppressant found in many cold and flu medicines. It works by acting on specific areas of the brain to suppress the cough reflex. However, it’s important to note that taking excessive amounts of DXM can lead to adverse effects, including hallucinations.

Codeine-Based Cough Medications

Codeine is present in some cough medications due to its ability to suppress coughing by acting on the brain. However, the FDA has raised concerns about codeine’s potential for dependency and its classification as an opioid drug. It may also cause breathing difficulties in some individuals and is not suitable for everyone.

Cold Medicines for Children: Safety Considerations and Recommendations

Treating cold symptoms in children requires special care and attention to safety. Many cold medicines are not recommended for young children due to potential risks and side effects.

Age Restrictions

The FDA advises against giving OTC cold and cough medicines to children under 2 years old. For children between 2 and 11 years old, it’s essential to follow the dosage instructions carefully and use products specifically formulated for children.

Safe Options for Children

For children with cold symptoms, acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help reduce fever and alleviate pain. Saline nasal drops or sprays can help relieve nasal congestion. Always consult a pediatrician before giving any medication to a child, especially if they have pre-existing health conditions or are taking other medications.

Natural Remedies and Home Care for Cold Symptoms

In addition to OTC medications, several natural remedies and home care techniques can help alleviate cold symptoms:

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, herbal teas, and clear broths
• Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air, which can help relieve congestion
• Try saline nasal irrigation to flush out mucus and allergens
• Get plenty of rest to support your body’s immune system
• Gargle with warm salt water to soothe a sore throat
• Use honey as a natural cough suppressant (not suitable for children under 1 year old)

These natural approaches can complement OTC medications and may provide relief for milder cold symptoms.

Potential Interactions and Precautions with Cold Medicines

When using cold medicines, it’s crucial to be aware of potential interactions with other medications and health conditions.

Drug Interactions

Cold medicines can interact with various prescription medications, including antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and diabetes drugs. Always inform your healthcare provider or pharmacist about all medications you’re taking, including OTC products and supplements, to avoid potentially harmful interactions.

Health Condition Considerations

Certain cold medicines may not be suitable for individuals with specific health conditions. For example:

• People with high blood pressure should avoid decongestants, as they can further increase blood pressure
• Individuals with liver disease should be cautious with acetaminophen-containing products
• Those with glaucoma should avoid anticholinergic medications

Always consult your healthcare provider before taking cold medicines if you have any chronic health conditions or concerns about potential interactions.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Pregnant and breastfeeding individuals should exercise caution when using cold medicines. Many OTC cold products have not been extensively studied in these populations, and some may pose risks to the developing fetus or nursing infant. It’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider before taking any cold medication during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Cold Symptoms

While most colds resolve on their own within a week or two, certain symptoms may warrant medical attention. Seek medical care if you experience:

• Fever above 101.3°F (38.5°C) that persists for more than three days
• Symptoms that worsen or fail to improve after 10 days
• Severe sore throat or difficulty swallowing
• Persistent, severe headache or facial or sinus pain
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Chest pain or persistent cough
• Confusion or sudden dizziness

These symptoms may indicate a more serious condition or complication that requires professional medical evaluation and treatment.

Best cold medicines for a runny nose, stuffy nose, and cough

Many over-the-counter (OTC) products can relieve cold and flu symptoms. However, the variety of products available can sometimes be overwhelming.

When choosing a cold medicine, people need to know which symptoms they want to relieve. Choosing the wrong medication for the symptoms will mean that the remedy does not help.

Cold medicines that address specific symptoms can be helpful. However, some may be unsuitable for people who are pregnant or have chronic health conditions and for young children. Some may also cause side effects.

This article reviews the best cold medicines for a runny or stuffy nose and for a wet or dry cough, as well as the best medicines for children. It also looks at cold medicine interactions and how to treat cold symptoms at home.

People with a cold or flu may experience a runny nose, or rhinitis. OTC medicine is unlikely to help relieve a runny nose due to a cold.

Topical anticholinergics, such as ipratropium bromide nasal spray, may help reduce a runny nose. However, this medicine requires a prescription from a doctor.

• For a cold: People aged 5 years and over can use ipratropium 0.06% nasal spray three or four times per day for up to 4 days.
• For a seasonal allergy: People aged 5 years and over can use ipratropium 0.06% nasal spray four times per day for up to 3 weeks.
• For year-round allergies: People aged 6 years and over can use ipratropium 0.03% nasal spray two or three times daily.

However, anticholinergics may not be safe for everyone to use. This includes people with some other health conditions, such as glaucoma, and those using certain other medications. A doctor can advise on whether these medicines are suitable for an individual.

Sometimes, a runny nose is a symptom of an allergic reaction. If this symptom is due to an allergy and not a cold, antihistamines may help.

Learn about some home remedies that may help with a runny nose.

Decongestants can help relieve a stuffy nose. OTC decongestants are available in oral, drop, and spray forms.

Pseudoephedrine, present in Sudafed, is an oral decongestant.

It is available without a prescription in many states, but there are restrictions on how much a person can buy because of the risk of dependency and adverse effects.

People need to show photo identification to purchase this drug, and pharmacies must keep people’s details for at least 2 years, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This medication is suitable only for those aged 6 years and over.

Phenylephrine, present in Sudafed PE, is effective for the short-term relief of nasal congestion and is available on the pharmacy shelf.

In some people, decongestants can cause adverse effects such as insomnia or increases in heart rate or blood pressure.

Topical nasal sprays offer quick relief but may cause rebound congestion with overuse. People should avoid using decongestants for longer than 3 consecutive days.

Some cold medicines contain other ingredients, such as antihistamines. People typically use antihistamines for allergies, but because they can cause drowsiness, manufacturers also add them to nighttime cold and flu formulations. This can help people if they have difficulty falling asleep while they have a cold.

However, adding an antihistamine to a decongestant does not guarantee that a person will fall asleep. Also, people should stop using decongestants at nighttime if they cause insomnia.

Get some tips here for better sleep.

When a person has a cold or flu, they may experience a cough. A “wet” or “productive” cough is one that produces mucus. Doctors do not recommend medicines that suppress cough for people with a wet cough.

People who have a wet cough may take guaifenesin. This is an expectorant that manufacturers claim can help loosen mucus and phlegm.

People with a dry cough — a cough that does not produce mucus — may take a cough suppressant. Dextromethorphan (DXM) is a cough suppressant present in many cold and flu medicines. It acts on parts of the brain to stop a person from coughing. However, taking too much can have adverse effects, including hallucinations.

Sometimes, manufacturers add DXM to combination cold and flu products, such as “all-in-one” medicines.

People must read the full ingredient list to ensure that the medicine fits their symptoms and will not interfere with drugs. A pharmacist can help a person choose a safe product. People should also avoid taking multiple medicines containing the same ingredient — such as acetaminophen — at the same time.

Codeine is present in many cough medications because it suppresses activity in the brain that leads to coughing.

However, the FDA notes that codeine is an opioid drug and can cause dependency. It can also lead to breathing difficulties in some people. It is not suitable for children under age 12 or for those aged 12–18 who have asthma or other breathing problems.

Always check with a doctor or pharmacist before using medicine containing codeine for cough, and follow the instructions on the package. Do not exceed the recommended dose or number of days for use.

People should also avoid mixing different cough suppressants. Both DXM and codeine can cause drowsiness. The side effects of different cough medicines can combine and cause severe fatigue or even respiratory failure.

Cold symptoms in toddlers under 2 years of age may seem alarming to parents and caregivers, but they typically disappear on their own with time. A cold will typically run its course within 1–2 weeks.

The FDA does not recommend many OTC cold medicines for children under age 2, and labels often state that drugs are not suitable for those under age 4. Medicines containing codeine are not suitable for those under age 12 or those aged 12–18 with breathing problems.

Acetaminophen is a fever- and pain-relieving medicine. Pediatric acetaminophen (Tylenol) is usually suitable for children under age 2 under a doctor’s supervision.

Pediatric ibuprofen is also likely safe for children under age 2, but only under a doctor’s supervision. It may cause adverse effects.

Avoid giving adult formulations to children of this age to ensure safe dosing. A pharmacist can help a person select a suitable medicine.

Like adults, children should never take two medicines containing acetaminophen at once.

Sometimes, doctors in neonatal intensive care units may administer ibuprofen to newborns. However, parents and caregivers must avoid giving OTC ibuprofen to babies under age 2 for safety reasons.

The sections below will look at how certain cold medicines can interact with drugs for other health conditions.

Diabetes

People taking multiple medications to regulate their blood sugar levels should speak with a doctor or pharmacist before taking any cold medicines.

Cough syrups often contain sugar. Before taking cough syrup, people with diabetes should read the label to ensure that the product is sugar-free.

High blood pressure

Oral decongestants can raise blood pressure and may be harmful for people with hypertension.

People who have high blood pressure and take blood pressure medications should speak with a doctor or pharmacist before taking cold medicines with a decongestant.

Pregnancy

The most popular pain and fever medicines are acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin. Ibuprofen and aspirin are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Acetaminophen is not an NSAID, and it can treat fever during pregnancy.

However, the FDA does not recommend NSAIDs from week 20 onward, as these medicines may lead to low amniotic fluid.

DXM may not be safe during pregnancy or for children aged 4 years and under.

During pregnancy, people should speak with a doctor before taking oral decongestants. Inhaled decongestants may be a good alternative with correct use.

Anyone who is pregnant or planning to become pregnant may wish to consider getting a flu vaccine. The CDC notes that flu vaccines are safe to receive during pregnancy.

Depression

DXM and decongestants may interact with certain antidepressants, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). People taking antidepressants should speak with a doctor or pharmacist about using any cold medicines.

Here are some answers to questions people often ask about colds and a runny nose.

What ingredients should you look for to stop a runny nose?

OTC medications will not stop a runny nose, but a doctor may prescribe ipratropium nasal spray 0.06% for people aged 5 years and over with a cold or seasonal allergy. Ipratropium nasal spray 0.03% can help manage an allergy-related runny nose year-round.

How should I take these medications?

Medications for colds, runny noses, and congestion come as tablets, syrups, sprays, and drops. It’s essential to follow the instructions from the doctor or pharmacist and read any instructions that come with the medication.

When should I see a doctor?

People with a cold, flu, or runny nose or nasal congestion should seek medical advice if they have:

• a high fever of 102.2°F (39°C) or over that does not reduce with ibuprofen or acetaminophen
• chest pain
• difficulty breathing
• swollen lymph nodes
• severe ear or sinus pain
• symptoms that do not resolve within 3 weeks

Cold and flu medicines do not cure a common cold or flu, but some preparations may help relieve a runny nose, stuffy nose, and cough.

While many OTC drugs are available, it is essential to check that they are suitable for the individual to use. For instance, people with a dry cough should not take medications for a productive cough, as they may make symptoms worse.

Some OTC medicines may be harmful to children and babies, and some can interact with other medicines and supplements.

People who have chronic health conditions, are pregnant, or are taking other medications should speak with a doctor or pharmacist before taking any OTC medicines.

Best cold medicines for a runny nose, stuffy nose, and cough

Many over-the-counter (OTC) products can relieve cold and flu symptoms. However, the variety of products available can sometimes be overwhelming.

When choosing a cold medicine, people need to know which symptoms they want to relieve. Choosing the wrong medication for the symptoms will mean that the remedy does not help.

Cold medicines that address specific symptoms can be helpful. However, some may be unsuitable for people who are pregnant or have chronic health conditions and for young children. Some may also cause side effects.

This article reviews the best cold medicines for a runny or stuffy nose and for a wet or dry cough, as well as the best medicines for children. It also looks at cold medicine interactions and how to treat cold symptoms at home.

People with a cold or flu may experience a runny nose, or rhinitis. OTC medicine is unlikely to help relieve a runny nose due to a cold.

Topical anticholinergics, such as ipratropium bromide nasal spray, may help reduce a runny nose. However, this medicine requires a prescription from a doctor.

• For a cold: People aged 5 years and over can use ipratropium 0.06% nasal spray three or four times per day for up to 4 days.
• For a seasonal allergy: People aged 5 years and over can use ipratropium 0.06% nasal spray four times per day for up to 3 weeks.
• For year-round allergies: People aged 6 years and over can use ipratropium 0.03% nasal spray two or three times daily.

However, anticholinergics may not be safe for everyone to use. This includes people with some other health conditions, such as glaucoma, and those using certain other medications. A doctor can advise on whether these medicines are suitable for an individual.

Sometimes, a runny nose is a symptom of an allergic reaction. If this symptom is due to an allergy and not a cold, antihistamines may help.

Learn about some home remedies that may help with a runny nose.

Decongestants can help relieve a stuffy nose. OTC decongestants are available in oral, drop, and spray forms.

Pseudoephedrine, present in Sudafed, is an oral decongestant.

It is available without a prescription in many states, but there are restrictions on how much a person can buy because of the risk of dependency and adverse effects.

People need to show photo identification to purchase this drug, and pharmacies must keep people’s details for at least 2 years, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This medication is suitable only for those aged 6 years and over.

Phenylephrine, present in Sudafed PE, is effective for the short-term relief of nasal congestion and is available on the pharmacy shelf.

In some people, decongestants can cause adverse effects such as insomnia or increases in heart rate or blood pressure.

Topical nasal sprays offer quick relief but may cause rebound congestion with overuse. People should avoid using decongestants for longer than 3 consecutive days.

Some cold medicines contain other ingredients, such as antihistamines. People typically use antihistamines for allergies, but because they can cause drowsiness, manufacturers also add them to nighttime cold and flu formulations. This can help people if they have difficulty falling asleep while they have a cold.

However, adding an antihistamine to a decongestant does not guarantee that a person will fall asleep. Also, people should stop using decongestants at nighttime if they cause insomnia.

Get some tips here for better sleep.

When a person has a cold or flu, they may experience a cough. A “wet” or “productive” cough is one that produces mucus. Doctors do not recommend medicines that suppress cough for people with a wet cough.

People who have a wet cough may take guaifenesin. This is an expectorant that manufacturers claim can help loosen mucus and phlegm.

People with a dry cough — a cough that does not produce mucus — may take a cough suppressant. Dextromethorphan (DXM) is a cough suppressant present in many cold and flu medicines. It acts on parts of the brain to stop a person from coughing. However, taking too much can have adverse effects, including hallucinations.

Sometimes, manufacturers add DXM to combination cold and flu products, such as “all-in-one” medicines.

People must read the full ingredient list to ensure that the medicine fits their symptoms and will not interfere with drugs. A pharmacist can help a person choose a safe product. People should also avoid taking multiple medicines containing the same ingredient — such as acetaminophen — at the same time.

Codeine is present in many cough medications because it suppresses activity in the brain that leads to coughing.

However, the FDA notes that codeine is an opioid drug and can cause dependency. It can also lead to breathing difficulties in some people. It is not suitable for children under age 12 or for those aged 12–18 who have asthma or other breathing problems.

Always check with a doctor or pharmacist before using medicine containing codeine for cough, and follow the instructions on the package. Do not exceed the recommended dose or number of days for use.

People should also avoid mixing different cough suppressants. Both DXM and codeine can cause drowsiness. The side effects of different cough medicines can combine and cause severe fatigue or even respiratory failure.

Cold symptoms in toddlers under 2 years of age may seem alarming to parents and caregivers, but they typically disappear on their own with time. A cold will typically run its course within 1–2 weeks.

The FDA does not recommend many OTC cold medicines for children under age 2, and labels often state that drugs are not suitable for those under age 4. Medicines containing codeine are not suitable for those under age 12 or those aged 12–18 with breathing problems.

Acetaminophen is a fever- and pain-relieving medicine. Pediatric acetaminophen (Tylenol) is usually suitable for children under age 2 under a doctor’s supervision.

Pediatric ibuprofen is also likely safe for children under age 2, but only under a doctor’s supervision. It may cause adverse effects.

Avoid giving adult formulations to children of this age to ensure safe dosing. A pharmacist can help a person select a suitable medicine.

Like adults, children should never take two medicines containing acetaminophen at once.

Sometimes, doctors in neonatal intensive care units may administer ibuprofen to newborns. However, parents and caregivers must avoid giving OTC ibuprofen to babies under age 2 for safety reasons.

The sections below will look at how certain cold medicines can interact with drugs for other health conditions.

Diabetes

People taking multiple medications to regulate their blood sugar levels should speak with a doctor or pharmacist before taking any cold medicines.

Cough syrups often contain sugar. Before taking cough syrup, people with diabetes should read the label to ensure that the product is sugar-free.

High blood pressure

Oral decongestants can raise blood pressure and may be harmful for people with hypertension.

People who have high blood pressure and take blood pressure medications should speak with a doctor or pharmacist before taking cold medicines with a decongestant.

Pregnancy

The most popular pain and fever medicines are acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin. Ibuprofen and aspirin are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Acetaminophen is not an NSAID, and it can treat fever during pregnancy.

However, the FDA does not recommend NSAIDs from week 20 onward, as these medicines may lead to low amniotic fluid.

DXM may not be safe during pregnancy or for children aged 4 years and under.

During pregnancy, people should speak with a doctor before taking oral decongestants. Inhaled decongestants may be a good alternative with correct use.

Anyone who is pregnant or planning to become pregnant may wish to consider getting a flu vaccine. The CDC notes that flu vaccines are safe to receive during pregnancy.

Depression

DXM and decongestants may interact with certain antidepressants, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). People taking antidepressants should speak with a doctor or pharmacist about using any cold medicines.

Here are some answers to questions people often ask about colds and a runny nose.

What ingredients should you look for to stop a runny nose?

OTC medications will not stop a runny nose, but a doctor may prescribe ipratropium nasal spray 0.06% for people aged 5 years and over with a cold or seasonal allergy. Ipratropium nasal spray 0.03% can help manage an allergy-related runny nose year-round.

How should I take these medications?

Medications for colds, runny noses, and congestion come as tablets, syrups, sprays, and drops. It’s essential to follow the instructions from the doctor or pharmacist and read any instructions that come with the medication.

When should I see a doctor?

People with a cold, flu, or runny nose or nasal congestion should seek medical advice if they have:

• a high fever of 102.2°F (39°C) or over that does not reduce with ibuprofen or acetaminophen
• chest pain
• difficulty breathing
• swollen lymph nodes
• severe ear or sinus pain
• symptoms that do not resolve within 3 weeks

Cold and flu medicines do not cure a common cold or flu, but some preparations may help relieve a runny nose, stuffy nose, and cough.

While many OTC drugs are available, it is essential to check that they are suitable for the individual to use. For instance, people with a dry cough should not take medications for a productive cough, as they may make symptoms worse.

Some OTC medicines may be harmful to children and babies, and some can interact with other medicines and supplements.

People who have chronic health conditions, are pregnant, or are taking other medications should speak with a doctor or pharmacist before taking any OTC medicines.

Cold Self Help Kit: First Aid Kit and First Steps

Step 1 Take Paracetamol

The first remedy in a cold first aid kit is paracetamol. This substance from the class of analgesics and antipyretics will relieve painful symptoms within 20-40 minutes. Temperature and headache will go away, swelling and redness in the throat will partially disappear.

Paracetamol (from 14 rubles) can be drunk in pure form or in the form of TeraFlu complexes (from 186 rubles). The composition of the latter also includes vasoconstrictor substances.

Step 2. Rinse and clean the nose

Colds often start with a “runny” nose – abundant sputum. On the 2nd or 3rd day of illness, the nose, on the contrary, “stuffs” so that it is impossible to breathe. Therefore, in the cold medicine cabinet there should be several remedies for the common cold.

If your nose is “flowing”, you should wash your sinuses with Aqua Maris saline solution (from 116 rubles). This seawater based spray will clear your sinuses of germs. Another popular remedy is Protargol (from 257 rubles). Silver in its composition acts as an antiseptic, helps to heal microdamages of the mucosa.

If the nose is blocked, vasoconstrictor drops or sprays will be required. Often they are made on the basis of xylometazoline (from 28 rubles). This substance relieves swelling in the sinuses and accelerates the excretion of mucus. Vasoconstrictor drugs are addictive. If you use them constantly for more than 5-7 days, a runny nose can become chronic.

Step 3. Eliminate sore throat

At the very beginning of a cold, lozenges (from 145 rubles) and lozenges with herbal extracts and essential oils (from 133 rubles) will cope with pain and sore throat. If it was not possible to defeat the disease in the bud, you will need sprays (from 285 rubles) and solutions for gargling. They heal tissues, relieve swelling, and fight infections. You can prepare such a solution yourself by grinding and stirring a tablet of furacilin in water (from 53 rubles).

Step 4. Let’s go to sleep. Sleep as long as possible

The best cure for a cold is sleep. It’s good if the next day you manage to sleep 8-9 hours and get up without an alarm clock. Paracetamol, runny nose and sore throat medicines should make it easier to fall asleep. But if you experience problems with sleep, you can drink herbal tea from mint (from 17 rubles) or rose hips (from 59 rubles) at night. This tea is rich in vitamins C, B, E: it will calm the nervous system and provide additional support to the body.

Vladimir Bolibok, immunologist, allergist:

“It is almost useless to drink other medicines when a cold starts. Here the question of immunity arises: if it is strong, a person will be able to wake up healthy the next morning. If, conditionally, microbes win, the body will need time to cope with them.

The most effective step in treating a cold is to see a doctor and get an accurate diagnosis. The most ineffective is to prescribe a course of antibiotics yourself. You don’t know if your disease is viral or bacterial. And if you make the wrong self-diagnosis, then at best you will simply waste money on antibiotics. At worst, spoil the intestines and undermine the immune system even more.

See also:

Casual sex: how to protect yourself from the consequences

How to brush your teeth properly

How and how to treat a child from seasonal flu, effective and ineffective medicines

11/09/2022 11/09/2022 health

Another cold season and eternal snot, coughs and flus. How to treat a child? Do immunity drugs work? What medicines for fever and sore throat are actually effective? How to beat a runny nose? We have made a guide on drugs for you, separating ineffective and working drugs from each other.

Immunity aid

Ineffective

• Antivirals. None of the antiviral drugs for ARVI and influenza (working antivirals for herpes virus types 1 and 2, viral hepatitis and HIV) have convincing evidence of effectiveness. All existing drugs to increase immunity are fuflomycins.

Effective

• Moisturizing saline sprays and solutions. It is the nasal mucosa that is responsible for local immunity. By flushing the virus, removing mucus and keeping the mucosa moist, we increase its resistance and help the immune system.

Fever

Ineffective

• Antivirals

Effective

• Systemic NSAIDs: Ibuprofen or Paracetamol

Not recommended

• Combination powders with paracetamol. Contains extra drugs. Pure Paracetamol is enough.

Sore throat

Ineffective

• Any gargle solutions. Children do not know how to gargle correctly, most often the solution is simply swallowed.
• Local anesthetics: lozenges, tablets, throat sprays. They act only locally, reducing the feeling of pain for 10-30 minutes. In addition, they should not be given to children more than 3-4 times a day.
  Throat tablets dissolve very quickly in saliva, which is why there is no important resorption effect necessary for the active production of saliva containing a natural natural antiseptic – lysozyme.

Effective

• Systemic NSAIDs: Ibuprofen or Paracetamol. The drugs work systemically, anesthetizing the throat for 6-8 hours.
• Any lozenges, preferably without sugar (the most favorite). The natural lysozyme in our saliva clears the throat with every swallow. Unlike drugstore lozenges, regular lollipops can be absorbed by children in unlimited quantities, at least every 15 minutes. For kids, lollipops or regular lollipops are suitable. Children from the age of five can already have barberries and any other variants of candies. The more vigorous the taste, the better.

From the common cold

Ineffective

• Drops with antimicrobial and antibacterial action. Our task is to support local immunity so that the body can cope on its own. Antimicrobial and antibacterial drops do not have the desired effect, since the best support for the nasal mucosa is rinsing and moisturizing.

Effective

• Moisturizing Salt Sprays & Solutions
• Vasoconstrictive drops and sprays (if it is not possible to rinse due to congestion)

The most effective remedy for a runny nose is to wash the nose by moving. When the nose is very stuffy and it is impossible to rinse, you can use vasoconstrictor drops or sprays to relieve swelling.

Vasoconstrictive drops should be used rarely, only if the child cannot breathe at all, otherwise addiction may occur. And yet it is important to relieve swelling, especially before going to bed: breathing through the mouth dries out the nasal mucosa even more.

Cough

Ineffective + harmful

• Expectorants and antitussives.