Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHome RemediesSupplementsMedicationsCold StagesSeeking Medical CarePrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Home Remedies
Supplements
Medications
Cold Stages
Seeking Medical Care
Prevention
Home remedies for the common cold include simple comfort measures like chicken soup and rest, as well as self-care with supplements and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. While some people may seek medical care, a 2023 survey report on 404 people found more than 50% relied first on home remedies or took no self-care action at all.
Thecommon coldusually lasts a week and complications are rare.Consider talking with your healthcare provider about cold symptom treatments, though, because OTC product use can sometimes present a risk to children or people diagnosed with certain health conditions.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for third-party tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
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The common cold typically will go away on its own.However, several at-home remedies exist that can decrease the severity and duration of symptoms. Some effective common cold remedies include:
Chicken Soup for the Common ColdIt’s true that chicken soup can relieve cold and flu symptoms, primarily because fluids in general can help.You also may benefit from vitamins and minerals like zinc in the soup ingredients.
Chicken Soup for the Common Cold
It’s true that chicken soup can relieve cold and flu symptoms, primarily because fluids in general can help.You also may benefit from vitamins and minerals like zinc in the soup ingredients.
While herbs and minerals like vitamin C or echinacea are used as cold remedies, the research evidence for their benefits is limited. Some of the more promising findings includezinc supplementsor lozenges to help to relieve cough and nasal congestion.
Other options with less evidence for being effective in treating cold symptoms include:
Honey taken in a soothing tea is a popular home remedy that may relieve symptoms, but don’t give honey to children under age 1.Talk with your healthcare provider about using honey and other natural supplements or alternatives.
Over-the-counter medications can relieve pain and fever, and improve symptoms including a cough or runny nose. Commonly used OTC products include:
Antibiotics are not recommended for a common cold, but a healthcare provider’s diagnosis may lead to its use if your symptoms are due to a bacterial infection or require other options beyond cold virus care.
Talk with your healthcare provider about over-the-counter medication use. Aspirin, for example, should not be given to children due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome. Older adults may experience more severe side effects with Aleve (naproxen) than others. NSAIDs in general may present a risk during pregnancy, or to people who have certain health conditions or take certain medications.
Can Cold Medicines Actually Alleviate Your Symptoms? Here’s What Experts Say
Stages of a Cold
The common cold usually is transmitted through contaminated air, surfaces, or close personal contact with a person who is sick. It begins with an incubation period, or the time from which a person gets infected and then begins experiencing symptoms. Stages include:
It is important to note that you are contagious as soon as you begin experiencing symptoms. This means you can pass the cold to others.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
In most cases, the common cold will improve on its own with measures like getting rest, increasing hydration, and taking OTC medicines. Oftentimes, the common cold and flu symptoms are nearly identical and only a healthcare provider can determine which you have. Reasons to see a healthcare provider include:
FeversAfeveris defined as a body temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher. If a fever lasts more than four days, it is important to contact your healthcare provider.
Fevers
Afeveris defined as a body temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher. If a fever lasts more than four days, it is important to contact your healthcare provider.
You can take steps at home to prevent a common cold infection, including the use of hand sanitizers and properhandwashing technique.
Covering the mouth when sneezing or coughing, as well as limiting time spent with someone who is sick, can help stop the spread. You can also avoid exposure to objects and surfaces that may transmit some viruses.
Summary
Colds are quite common and there is no cure. Antibiotics, which only fight bacterial infections, will not help, as viruses and not bacteria cause the common cold.
To get relief from your cold as soon as possible, get adequate rest, stay hydrated, and take OTC medicines for symptomatic relief. Most common colds resolve within 10 to 14 days, and anything lasting longer should prompt a visit with a healthcare provider.
19 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Keshvari N, Yousefi N, Peiravian F, Sharif Z.Exploring health seeking behaviors for common cold management.Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm. 2023 Jul 11;11:100301. doi:10.1016/j.rcsop.2023.100301Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common cold.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rhinoviruses.Irwin MR.Why sleep is important for health: a psychoneuroimmunology perspective.Annu Rev Psychol. 2015;66:143-172.American Lung Association.Facts About The Common Cold.University of Missouri.Understanding food allergies and treatment options.MedlinePlus.Humidifiers and health.Ramalingam S, Graham C, Dove J, Morrice L, Sheikh A.A pilot, open labelled, randomised controlled trial of hypertonic saline nasal irrigation and gargling for the common cold.Sci Rep. 2019;9:1015.Harvard Health Publishing.Treatments for post-nasal drip.MedlinePlus.Chicken soup and sickness.DeGeorge KC, Ring DJ, Dalrymple SN.Treatment of the common cold.Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(5):281-289. PMID: 31478634.Singh DN, Bohra JS, Dubey TP, et al.Common foods for boosting human immunity: A review.Food Sci Nutr. 2023;11(11):6761-6774. Published 2023 Aug 18. doi:10.1002/fsn3.3628Hemilä H, Chalker E.Vitamin C reduces the severity of common colds: a meta-analysis.BMC Public Health. 2023;23(1):2468. Published 2023 Dec 11. doi:10.1186/s12889-023-17229-8Rondanelli M, Miccono A, Lamburghini S, et al.Self-care for common colds: the pivotal role of vitamin d, vitamin c, zinc, and echinacea in three main immune interactive clusters (physical barriers, innate and adaptive immunity) involved during an episode of common colds—practical advice on dosages and on the time to take these nutrients/botanicals in order to prevent or treat common colds.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.2018;2018:5813095. doi:10.1155/2018/5813095Antonelli M, Donelli D, Firenzuoli F.Ginseng integrative supplementation for seasonal acute upper respiratory infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Complement Ther Med. 2020;52:102457. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102457National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Echinacea.Harvard Medical School.Got a cold? Try some honey.Yale Medicine.NSAIDs vs. acetaminophen: Which over-the-counter medicine should I use?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing spread of respiratory viruses when you’re sick.
19 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Keshvari N, Yousefi N, Peiravian F, Sharif Z.Exploring health seeking behaviors for common cold management.Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm. 2023 Jul 11;11:100301. doi:10.1016/j.rcsop.2023.100301Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common cold.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rhinoviruses.Irwin MR.Why sleep is important for health: a psychoneuroimmunology perspective.Annu Rev Psychol. 2015;66:143-172.American Lung Association.Facts About The Common Cold.University of Missouri.Understanding food allergies and treatment options.MedlinePlus.Humidifiers and health.Ramalingam S, Graham C, Dove J, Morrice L, Sheikh A.A pilot, open labelled, randomised controlled trial of hypertonic saline nasal irrigation and gargling for the common cold.Sci Rep. 2019;9:1015.Harvard Health Publishing.Treatments for post-nasal drip.MedlinePlus.Chicken soup and sickness.DeGeorge KC, Ring DJ, Dalrymple SN.Treatment of the common cold.Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(5):281-289. PMID: 31478634.Singh DN, Bohra JS, Dubey TP, et al.Common foods for boosting human immunity: A review.Food Sci Nutr. 2023;11(11):6761-6774. Published 2023 Aug 18. doi:10.1002/fsn3.3628Hemilä H, Chalker E.Vitamin C reduces the severity of common colds: a meta-analysis.BMC Public Health. 2023;23(1):2468. Published 2023 Dec 11. doi:10.1186/s12889-023-17229-8Rondanelli M, Miccono A, Lamburghini S, et al.Self-care for common colds: the pivotal role of vitamin d, vitamin c, zinc, and echinacea in three main immune interactive clusters (physical barriers, innate and adaptive immunity) involved during an episode of common colds—practical advice on dosages and on the time to take these nutrients/botanicals in order to prevent or treat common colds.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.2018;2018:5813095. doi:10.1155/2018/5813095Antonelli M, Donelli D, Firenzuoli F.Ginseng integrative supplementation for seasonal acute upper respiratory infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Complement Ther Med. 2020;52:102457. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102457National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Echinacea.Harvard Medical School.Got a cold? Try some honey.Yale Medicine.NSAIDs vs. acetaminophen: Which over-the-counter medicine should I use?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing spread of respiratory viruses when you’re sick.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Keshvari N, Yousefi N, Peiravian F, Sharif Z.Exploring health seeking behaviors for common cold management.Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm. 2023 Jul 11;11:100301. doi:10.1016/j.rcsop.2023.100301Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common cold.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rhinoviruses.Irwin MR.Why sleep is important for health: a psychoneuroimmunology perspective.Annu Rev Psychol. 2015;66:143-172.American Lung Association.Facts About The Common Cold.University of Missouri.Understanding food allergies and treatment options.MedlinePlus.Humidifiers and health.Ramalingam S, Graham C, Dove J, Morrice L, Sheikh A.A pilot, open labelled, randomised controlled trial of hypertonic saline nasal irrigation and gargling for the common cold.Sci Rep. 2019;9:1015.Harvard Health Publishing.Treatments for post-nasal drip.MedlinePlus.Chicken soup and sickness.DeGeorge KC, Ring DJ, Dalrymple SN.Treatment of the common cold.Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(5):281-289. PMID: 31478634.Singh DN, Bohra JS, Dubey TP, et al.Common foods for boosting human immunity: A review.Food Sci Nutr. 2023;11(11):6761-6774. Published 2023 Aug 18. doi:10.1002/fsn3.3628Hemilä H, Chalker E.Vitamin C reduces the severity of common colds: a meta-analysis.BMC Public Health. 2023;23(1):2468. Published 2023 Dec 11. doi:10.1186/s12889-023-17229-8Rondanelli M, Miccono A, Lamburghini S, et al.Self-care for common colds: the pivotal role of vitamin d, vitamin c, zinc, and echinacea in three main immune interactive clusters (physical barriers, innate and adaptive immunity) involved during an episode of common colds—practical advice on dosages and on the time to take these nutrients/botanicals in order to prevent or treat common colds.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.2018;2018:5813095. doi:10.1155/2018/5813095Antonelli M, Donelli D, Firenzuoli F.Ginseng integrative supplementation for seasonal acute upper respiratory infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Complement Ther Med. 2020;52:102457. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102457National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Echinacea.Harvard Medical School.Got a cold? Try some honey.Yale Medicine.NSAIDs vs. acetaminophen: Which over-the-counter medicine should I use?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing spread of respiratory viruses when you’re sick.
Keshvari N, Yousefi N, Peiravian F, Sharif Z.Exploring health seeking behaviors for common cold management.Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm. 2023 Jul 11;11:100301. doi:10.1016/j.rcsop.2023.100301
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common cold.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rhinoviruses.
Irwin MR.Why sleep is important for health: a psychoneuroimmunology perspective.Annu Rev Psychol. 2015;66:143-172.
American Lung Association.Facts About The Common Cold.
University of Missouri.Understanding food allergies and treatment options.
MedlinePlus.Humidifiers and health.
Ramalingam S, Graham C, Dove J, Morrice L, Sheikh A.A pilot, open labelled, randomised controlled trial of hypertonic saline nasal irrigation and gargling for the common cold.Sci Rep. 2019;9:1015.
Harvard Health Publishing.Treatments for post-nasal drip.
MedlinePlus.Chicken soup and sickness.
DeGeorge KC, Ring DJ, Dalrymple SN.Treatment of the common cold.Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(5):281-289. PMID: 31478634.
Singh DN, Bohra JS, Dubey TP, et al.Common foods for boosting human immunity: A review.Food Sci Nutr. 2023;11(11):6761-6774. Published 2023 Aug 18. doi:10.1002/fsn3.3628
Hemilä H, Chalker E.Vitamin C reduces the severity of common colds: a meta-analysis.BMC Public Health. 2023;23(1):2468. Published 2023 Dec 11. doi:10.1186/s12889-023-17229-8
Rondanelli M, Miccono A, Lamburghini S, et al.Self-care for common colds: the pivotal role of vitamin d, vitamin c, zinc, and echinacea in three main immune interactive clusters (physical barriers, innate and adaptive immunity) involved during an episode of common colds—practical advice on dosages and on the time to take these nutrients/botanicals in order to prevent or treat common colds.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.2018;2018:5813095. doi:10.1155/2018/5813095
Antonelli M, Donelli D, Firenzuoli F.Ginseng integrative supplementation for seasonal acute upper respiratory infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Complement Ther Med. 2020;52:102457. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102457
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Echinacea.
Harvard Medical School.Got a cold? Try some honey.
Yale Medicine.NSAIDs vs. acetaminophen: Which over-the-counter medicine should I use?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing spread of respiratory viruses when you’re sick.
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