Ugh..I think I am getting my first cold of the season! Time to medicate! I woke up with a scratchy and semi sore throat this morning! The only thing I hate the weather changing is the colds that come with it! So I normally one of two things...in
my own medicating I am a Nyquil and Zycam fan! In my family my dad usually makes us what we call "HOT TODDIES"! Honestly its just tea, lemons, honey and as much liquor as he can get in the pot all boiled together! Knocks you on your keester but you
sweat out your cold very fast!
Hopefully if your day is approaching you are not catching a cold! But if you are then have no fear you can shake it quickly! Since I cannot recommend Hot Toddies (legally) since we may have some under 21 brides on PW I
found this small list of some tips to get rid of that pesky cold trying to surface before your big day!
As soon as you feel symptoms:
Start drinking water or juice- Staying hydrated cuts down on symptoms like a sore throat and stuffy nose.
Gargle With Salt Water-To combat a scratchy throat add half a teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water. "The salt draws out excess water in your throat’s tissues, reducing the inflammation, and clears mucous and irritants
from the back of the throat.
Keep Your Nose Clean-Using a saline nasal spray right after cold symptoms first appear may reduce their impact, studies suggest. And take a hot shower: "Warm moisture helps clear nasal passages.
Head To The Drugstore-Grab a pain reliever like acetaminophen to fight off achiness. Over-the-counter allergy meds, like Zyrtec and Benadryl, help with symptoms like runny nose and watery eyes; allergy meds that contain
decongestants, like Claritin D or Alavert D, will help clear your sinuses and keep you alert, if you need to be.
Skip The OTC Cough Medicine-Good old honey works just as well (and tastes better!), says Harley Rotbart, M.D., professor and vice chairman of pediatrics and pediatric infectious diseases at the University of Colorado School of
Medicine. Have one to two tablespoons straight from the jar or stirred into tea. And forget zinc lozenges and sprays: There’s just not conclusive proof that they work, Dr. Rotbart notes.
Skip Work If You Can-Your body can fight off the virus better if you’re well-rested. But if you have to go in, it’s not the end of the world, says
Janet O’Mahony, M.D., an internal medicine physician at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. Just steer clear of co-workers as best you can -- the first few days of a cold is when you’re most contagious. To keep from sharing your germs,
wash your hands regularly or use an alcohol-based disinfectant gel.
What are some family cold remedies that you grew up with?
