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- Cold remedies: What works, what doesn't, what can't hurt
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Cold remedies: What works, what doesn't, what can't hurt
Cold remedies: What probably doesn't hurt
In spite of ongoing studies, the scientific jury is still out on popular cold remedies such as vitamin C and echinacea. Here's an update on some common alternative remedies:
- Vitamin C. It appears that for the most part taking vitamin C won't help the average person prevent colds. However, taking vitamin C before the onset of cold symptoms may shorten the duration of symptoms. Vitamin C may provide benefit for people at high risk of colds due to frequent exposure — for example, children who attend group child care during the winter.
- Echinacea. Studies on the effectiveness of echinacea at preventing or shortening colds are mixed. Some studies show no benefit. Others show a significant reduction in the severity and duration of cold symptoms when taken in the early stages of a cold. One reason study results have been inconclusive may be that the type of echinacea plant and preparation used from one study to the next have varied considerably. Research on the role of echinacea in treating the common cold is ongoing. In the meantime, if your immune system is healthy and you are not taking prescription medications, using echinacea supplements is unlikely to cause harm.
Take care of yourself
Although usually minor, colds can make you feel miserable. It's tempting to try the latest remedy, but the best thing you can do is take care of yourself. Rest, drink fluids and keep the air around you moist. Remember to wash your hands frequently.
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References
- Common cold. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/commonCold. Accessed Dec. 28, 2009.
- Friedman ND, et al. The common cold in adults: Diagnosis and clinical features. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 28, 2009.
- Friedman ND, et al. The common cold in adults: Treatment and prevention. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 28, 2009.
- Turner RB. The common cold. In: Mandell GL, et al. Mandell, Bennett, & Dolin: Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2005. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..00053-9&uniq=176184451&isbn=978-0-443-06839-3&sid=932150525#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..00053-9--s0065%3Bfrom%3Dtoc%3Btype%3DbookPage%3Bisbn%3D978-0-443-06839-3. Accessed Dec. 28, 2009.
- Ross SM. An integrative approach to rhinosinusitis in children. Holistic Nursing Practice. 2009;23:302.
- Bukutu C, et al. Complementary, holistic, and integrative medicine: The common cold. Pediatrics in Review. 2008;29:e66.
- Pappas DE. The common cold in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 28, 2009.
- Cough suppressant and pharmacologic protussive therapy: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. National Guideline Clearinghouse. http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=8675&nbr=4840&ss=6&xl=999. Accessed Dec. 28, 2009.
- Giving medication to children. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm164427.htm. Accessed Dec. 28, 2009.
- Singh M, et al. Zinc for the common cold. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2011:CD001364.
- Public health advisory: Loss of sense of smell with intranasal cold remedies containing zinc. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PublicHealthAdvisories/ucm166059.htm. Accessed Dec. 28, 2009.
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