Cold and Flu Treatment at Home
Cold and flu season is upon us. While catching a cold or flu can happen at any time, it's more common during the fall and winter months. It's important to be prepared for when illness strikes. Here’s a list of cold and flu treatment options you can try at home.
Over the Counter (OTC) Care
When it comes to the cold or flu, the main goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms. Fortunately, there are plenty of OTC medications that can help you feel better while your body recovers.
1. Multipurpose Medications
Most OTC cold and flu medicines contain a mix of active ingredients to tackle a broad range of symptoms. Vicks Dayquil and Nyquil Severe Cold & Flu are examples and can be purchased in combination packs to help you function through the day and sleep at night. If you prefer multi-symptom relief without acetaminophen, try Advil Multi-Symptom Cold & Flu which uses ibuprofen instead.
2. Pain Medicine
Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can treat headaches, body aches, sore throat and reduce fever. Acetaminophen can be used to treat individuals of all ages, but ibuprofen should not be used for babies under the age of 6 months.
3. Antihistamines
Some cold and flu medications may contain antihistamines, which can treat sneezing, runny nose and postnasal drip. Don’t hesitate to use allergy medicine if you don’t have cold medicine on hand to help relieve these symptoms.
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4. Decongestants
These can help clear a stuffy nose and are commonly found in cold and flu medicine.
5. Cough Medicine
Cough medicines typically contain a suppressant, an expectorant or both. Suppressants can help control the urge to cough, while expectorants loosen mucus to clear the lungs. If you have a dry cough, you may only need a suppressant. Select medication containing an expectorant for a productive cough.
6. Lozenges
These medicated candies come in various flavors, some treating cough and others treating sore throat. They dissolve slowly to provide lasting relief.
7. Ointments
Topical cough suppressants, such as Vicks VapoRub, can be applied to the chest. They contain essential oils and menthol which release vapors to reduce airway irritation when inhaled.
Ways to Save on Medication
Stocking up on medicine for the family can be expensive. Luckily, many websites offer coupons to help.
- LOZO has a coupon section dedicated to cold and flu medicine.
- Coupons.com offers coupons for retail stores, drug stores and more. Search the Printable Coupons tab to find coupons for medication.
- CVS weekly ads provide updates on current in-store deals. Select your local store to see what they have to offer.
- Walgreens paperless coupons can be added to your Walgreens membership and applied at checkout.
- Target often has sales on medication. Target Circle members also have access to coupons for additional savings.
Natural Remedies for the Cold & Flu
There are different natural and holistic remedies you can try to help relieve symptoms as well. Many of these can be done alongside taking medication.
1. Drink Water or Hot Tea
Staying hydrated is crucial for recovery. Drink plenty of water and consider hot tea with lemon and honey. The heat and honey can help soothe the throat, while the steam opens airways. Do not drink beverages that cause or worsen dehydration, such as coffee or alcohol.
2. Soup
Hot soup is another good way to stay hydrated. The broth adds fluids and electrolytes, while the steam from the soup can help with congestion.
3. Warm Salt Water
Gargling with warm salt water helps to calm a sore throat, reduce inflammation and kill bacteria.
4. Rest
Being sick is the perfect excuse to sleep in. Rest helps the immune system, which is essential for fighting viral infections. When you're ill, aim for 8-10 hours of sleep a night.
5. Essential Oils
Some essential oils, like tea tree oil, bergamot and eucalyptus, have antiviral properties. When used in a diffuser, essential oils can create a pleasant environment, open airways and may help fight infection. Always research how to use the oils you choose safely, as some can be toxic to pets or require dilution before skin contact.
6. Hot Shower
The steam from a hot shower can help open airways and improve a raspy voice. You can also add a few drops of essential oils to a wet washcloth in the shower to circulate their vapers.
7. Elderberry
Many cold and flu products now contain elderberry extract, which some studies suggest may reduce the duration of symptoms when taken at the first sign of illness. Elderberry extracts are available in cough drops, supplements, concentrates, syrups and more. You can even buy dried elderberries to make tonics and teas.
Talk to Your Doctor or Pharmacist
When choosing remedies, natural or otherwise, for a cough or cold don’t hesitate to reach out to a doctor for advice. Some OTC medications may not be suitable for individuals with high blood pressure or liver or kidney issues, and others may not be appropriate for young children. Always seek expert advice, and call your doctor if symptoms persist.
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