How to treat a cold at home? Perhaps every person asked this question. This is because absolutely all people, from small to large, are susceptible to colds . Treatment of colds with folk remedies (at home) is becoming increasingly popular in recent years. However, this is not the safest method. Refusal to use drugs can lead to quite serious consequences. There are several ways to get rid of a cold at home. This article will tell you about the basic methods and will tell you some recipes of traditional medicine.
Before curing a cold at home ...
Of course, a sick person wants to quickly get rid of the signs of a cold and eliminate the ailment. However, do not immediately grab onto well-known drugs and thoughtlessly take medicine. Before starting the correction, it is worth visiting a doctor. The doctor will be able to accurately determine the causes of your ailment. After that, the specialist will prescribe you a comprehensive treatment, the effect of which will not take long.
Before starting treatment, it is necessary to determine the cause of the occurrence of a cold. This can be a reduced immunity, a bacterial infection, a viral pathology or an inflammatory process. Also, a cold can occur due to an exacerbation of one of the chronic diseases. In all these cases, individual treatment is chosen. Consider the basic advice of doctors who will help get rid of a cold.
Viral lesion
How to quickly treat a cold at home if it is caused by the multiplication of viruses? In this case, drugs are used to increase the body's immune defense. Also, many of them have antiviral activity. It is worth noting that the common cold caused by viruses is transmitted through the air and by drip. This means that you could receive it in a normal conversation with an infected person.
How to treat a cold at home? The most popular remedies are the following: Ergoferon and Anaferon tablets, powders for the preparation of Reaferon and Interferon solutions, rectal suppositories Kipferon and Genferon. Also, doctors often prescribe such compounds as Oscillococcinum, Arbidol, Isoprinosine. All of them affect the immune system and contribute to its increase. In addition, drugs fight viruses. They stop the growth of microorganisms and remove them from the human body. It is worth noting that all of the listed medicines have an individual dosage regimen. That is why before using them, you should carefully study the instructions for use.
Bacterial infection
How to quickly treat a cold at home if it is caused by the reproduction of the bacterial flora? In this case, doctors prescribe medications to which the detected microorganisms are sensitive. It is worth saying that before treating a bacterial infection, you should pass a certain analysis. For this, material can be taken from the pharynx, vein, or bladder. Sometimes sputum or mucus secreted from the nasal passages is used for research. Infection with this type of cold can occur through saliva or through household contact.
How to treat a cold at home in this case? If you are unable to conduct a bacteriological study and identify a drug to which the microorganisms are sensitive, then it is worth using broad-spectrum antibiotics. These include "Summamed", "Amoxiclav", "Biseptolum", "Macropen" and so on. It is worth saying that the relief of the pathological condition should come on the third day of treatment. Otherwise, we can assume that the selected drug is simply ineffective in your case. It must be replaced with a medication with another active substance. In this case, one must always remember that antibacterial drugs strongly affect immunity, suppressing it. This occurs due to inhibition of normal flora. To restore the protective functions of the body, it is necessary after treatment to take a course of taking beneficial bacteria. It can be Linex, Acipol, Normobact, Enterol, and so on.
Temperature rise
How to quickly treat a cold at home if it is accompanied by fever? Currently, pharmaceutical companies offer such formulations as Teraflu, Fervex, Coldact, and so on. All of them are prepared on the basis of paracetamol. That is why it will be advisable to take this medication to lower the temperature. Ibuprofen-based products can also eliminate fever, chills, and headaches. These include Nurofen, Ibufen, and so on. They may take the form of a suspension, tablets and rectal suppositories. No less effective are preparations containing nimesulide. These include Nise and Nimulide. It is worth noting that the latest drugs also have anti-inflammatory activity.
Reducing the temperature at home should only begin after the mark of the thermometer crosses the division of 38 degrees. If you tolerate this condition normally, then doctors recommend waiting until 38.5 degrees. It is in such a temperature environment that most pathological microorganisms die. It is worth noting that some babies are prone to seizures. They need antipyretics even at a temperature of 37.5 degrees. That is why, before curing a cold at home, a child needs to visit a doctor and get an appointment.
Effective fight against a runny nose
Almost always with a cold, there is a separation of the mucous fluid from the nasal passages. This causes considerable discomfort. This condition is complicated by the fact that nasal congestion may appear. At the same time, a person can hardly breathe. Internal tissues are very inflamed and swollen. What to do in this case? How to quickly treat a cold at home?
First you need to clean the nasal passages and rinse them. Blow your nose thoroughly. If the pathology arose in a small child, then it makes sense to use an aspirator. After removing mucus, rinse the walls of the inner cavity of the nose. This can be done with drugs such as Aqualor, Aquamaris. Also, doctors sometimes advise using normal saline. Insert a few drops into each nasal passage, and then repeat the cleansing procedure. There are several ways to treat a runny nose. One of the most effective and popular drugs recently is Pinosol. It is worth saying that it is made on the basis of herbal oils. That is why it can be used even during pregnancy.
If your cold has a viral origin, then it is advisable to use such compounds as Irs-19, Derinat, Grippferon, and so on. All of them are active against many viruses, and also contribute to increasing the body's immune defenses.
For bacterial pathology, doctors often recommend drugs such as Isofra, Polydex, Protargol or Sialor. In this case, before each administration of the composition, it is necessary to clean the nasal mucosa from dead microorganisms by washing.
Sore throat and perspiration
How to cure a cold at home? Very often, this condition is accompanied by pain in the throat. Moreover, the nature of the pathology does not affect this symptom at all. You can eliminate sore throat with topical preparations. These can be sprays that need to be sprayed directly on the larynx or tonsils. Also, doctors often recommend using solutions to treat the pharynx and glands. More convenient form for use are tablets that need to be absorbed.
Among the effective drugs, “Chlorophyllipt” or “Lugol” can be distinguished. These formulations are applied to the tonsils. They are very effective for bacterial colds. Doctors also prescribe the following nebulizers: Tantum Verde, Ingalipt, Cameton, Miramistin and so on. These medicines not only eliminate bacteria, but also fight against fungal infections. A more pronounced analgesic effect has capsules for resorption. Among them are Stop Angin, Gammidin, Strepsils, and so on. They have anti-inflammatory and anesthetic effects. Separately, it should be said about the drug "Lizobakt", which can be used by young children and pregnant women.
Various types of coughing
What to do with a cold at home? This condition is often accompanied by a cough. However, it may be wet or dry. Often with this symptom, doctors prescribe the following medications: “Doctor Mom”, “Ambrobene”, “Sinecode”, “Herbion”, “Codelac” and many others. Before using them, you must carefully read the instructions. Use only the drug that is suitable for your type of cough.
We can not say about inhalations. This method very well and in a short time eliminates cough. To carry out the procedure, doctors prescribe the following drugs: Berodual, Pulmicort, Lazolvan and normal saline. Remember that you must always observe the dosage and carry out a strictly limited number of inhalations per day.
Get rid of toxins in your body
Whatever you choose a cold remedy, at home it must be used strictly according to the instructions. Each medicine can negatively affect the liver and stomach. This only exacerbates the course of the disease. What to do in this case? Doctors recommend the use of sorbents. These drugs will help remove toxins from the body and cleanse it of the affected microorganisms, which can also cause a fever.
Among effective sorbents, one can distinguish Enterosgel, Polysorb, Activated Carbon, Smecta and others. When using them, one very important rule must be observed. Never use these drugs simultaneously with other medicines. The break between them should be at least two hours. Otherwise, a cold medicine may simply not work.
Heavy drink
The treatment of colds with folk remedies at home always involves the use of a large amount of fluid. During the use of medical correction, heavy drinking will also contribute to a speedy recovery.
The average daily rate for a person is 2 liters of water. In babies, this volume is calculated in a different way. For every kilogram of weight a child needs 100 milliliters of water. Simultaneously with a simple drinking liquid, you need to use warm teas and fruit drinks. If you have a sore throat, then discard hot drinks. They can further damage the inflamed area of the larynx.
Hunger is the way to recovery
How to cure a cold at home? Very often, during an illness, a person loses his appetite. At the same time, many people consume food through force and are surprised that the cold does not recede for a long time. In fact, everything is very simple. The body throws the main forces to fight bacteria or viruses. This helps the person lose their appetite. Doctors say that you should not force yourself to eat. A couple of days of hunger will not lead to anything critical. However, the body can quickly and effectively overcome the pathology.
Remember that refusal of food does not mean the need to restrict drinking. The fluid should be continuously supplied to the patient. So he will be able to make up for his losses that occur during a runny nose and sweating.
Folk recipes and proven methods
How to remove a cold at home? Many patients prefer to use traditional medicine and grandmother's recipes. However, these methods are not always effective. That is why you should consult a doctor if your treatment does not give a positive result within three days.
- As an antipyretic, raspberries can be used. You can use a decoction from the leaves of the plant or make tea with berry jam. Also very well reduce the temperature of rubbing with vodka. To do this, dilute the alcohol with water in a proportion of one to one. After this, the whole body is rubbed abundantly with the composition.
- From sore throat, hot milk with honey helps very well. To do this, heat the milk to a comfortable temperature and add 2 teaspoons of honey to it. The effect will increase several times if butter is an additional component.
- You can treat a runny nose with onions or garlic. These products are a natural antibiotic. Squeeze the juice from the garlic and onions. After that, add a few drops of olive oil and one milliliter of saline. Inject into each nostril two drops every six hours.
- In the fight against viral infections, a decoction of echinacea helps perfectly. Get dry grass and drink it as tea. You can also drink a ginger drink. To do this, grind the root of ginger and brew boiling water.
- Means such as mustard plasters, banks, a bath and other heating can be used only in the absence of temperature. After this, it is advisable to wrap yourself in a blanket and sleep. You can enhance the effect with various herbal teas. It relieves inflammation of chamomile and thyme, sage and calendula.
How to cure a cold on the lip at home?
Often the infection affects the mucous membranes and tissues. The common cold that appeared on the lips is often called cold sores. This is a virus. That is why, to eliminate it, it is necessary to take antiviral and immunomodulating formulations. There are currently topical medications. Among them, one can distinguish “Zovirax”, “Acyclovir”, “Viferon”.
To treat a cold on the lip at home, you can and folk recipes. So, frequent lubrication of the affected area with toothpaste promotes drying. At the same time, you can wash a cold with chamomile broth or lubricate with celandine oil.
Little conclusion
You now know how to treat a cold at home. Doctors strongly do not recommend the use of drugs without the advice of a doctor. However, often a person prefers to cope with the pathology on his own, rather than contact a medical institution. Remember that such tactics can cause complications. If after the treatment you have not felt better within three days, then you should immediately seek medical help.
Remember that antibacterial drugs are not able to eliminate viral infections. The same can be said of immunomodulators. Antiviral drugs are not able to eliminate bacterial pathology. Doctors often prescribe both drugs at the same time. This leads to a quick recovery and restoration of immunity. Be treated correctly and do not get sick!