Reviewed 11/21/2024
Cold remedies that work
There's no cure for a cold other than time. But there are plenty of things you can do to ease common and annoying symptoms like cough, runny nose, sore throat and congestion.
Here are some remedies that can help.
SLEEP
Aim for seven or more hours of sleep every night to help support your body as it fights the virus.
FLUIDS
Staying hydrated will help keep your nose and throat passages moist. Water, broth, soup and herbal tea are all smart choices. Avoid caffeine and alcohol—they can dehydrate you.
LOZENGES AND GARGLING SALT WATER
These remedies can help sooth a sore throat. Just remember, lozenges aren't appropriate for kids younger than 4 years.
COUGH DROPS AND HONEY
Cough drops can lessen the frequency and severity of your cough. Research also suggests that honey can help with a nighttime cough. Never give honey to a child younger than 1 year. It can cause a serious illness called infant botulism.
MOIST AIR
Creating a moist environment may help your airways feel less dry and reduce congestion. Try using a humidifier or breathing in steam from a warm shower or a bowl of hot water. Saline spray or drops can also loosen mucus and make it easier to breathe.
OVER-THE-COUNTER (OTC) MEDICATION
OTC cold medicines include anti-inflammatory drugs, decongestants and antihistamines. Read the labels carefully and follow the dosage instructions. If you have high blood pressure, asthma or thyroid disease, ask your doctor which cold medicines are safe to take.
If you're treating a child, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on safe medicines.
One medication you shouldn't take for a cold is an antibiotic. Antibiotics don't work on colds, and they could cause harm if you take them when they aren't needed.
KNOW WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL HELP
Call your doctor if you have any severe or concerning symptoms, such as:
- Trouble breathing or fast breathing.
- Dehydration.
- Fever that lasts longer than four days.
- Symptoms that last more than 10 days without getting better.
- Symptoms that get better but then return or worsen.
- Chronic medical conditions that get worse.
Learn why colds are so common and which healthy habits can prevent them.
Sources
- AARP. "5 Things to Do When You Have a Cold." https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2022/ways-to-ease-cold-symptoms-fast.html.
- American Lung Association. "Facts About the Common Cold." https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/facts-about-the-common-cold.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Manage Common Cold." https://www.cdc.gov/common-cold/treatment/.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Sore Throat Basics." https://www.cdc.gov/sore-throat/about/.
- Familydoctor.org. "Decongestants: OTC Relief for Congestion." https://familydoctor.org/decongestants-otc-relief-for-congestion/.
- Healthychildren.org. "Coughs and Colds: Medicines or Home Remedies?" https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chest-lungs/Pages/Coughs-and-Colds-Medicines-or-Home-Remedies.aspx.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. "Flu and Colds: In Depth." https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/flu-and-colds-in-depth.