Physical cooling methods for colds

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on September 23, 2024
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Fever symptoms caused by a cold can be treated with physical cooling methods. There are many commonly used methods in clinical practice. For adults, one can wipe the palms, soles, neck, and chest—areas where major blood vessels run—with warm water or alcohol. You can also use a cool towel or ice packs to compress the forehead. Drinking herbal concoctions like scallion water or ginger sugar water can also help reduce fever physically. Additionally, soaking feet in Sichuan peppercorn water can be effective. Regardless of the method used, it's important to drink plenty of water and recheck the temperature after two hours.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Can you drink alcohol if you have a cold?

It is not recommended to drink alcohol during a cold. This is because alcohol can suppress the central nervous system and affect the absorption of medications, especially cephalosporin drugs. One must not drink alcohol as it can pose a life-threatening risk. Whether it is beer, Western liquor, or strong spirits, none should be consumed. Since a cold itself can cause symptoms of fatigue and weakness, adding alcohol can potentially worsen these symptoms. Additionally, consuming alcohol while on cold medications is not advised, as it can lead to poor mental focus, and alcohol can exacerbate the symptoms of a cold.

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Written by Liu Li
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Can babies catch a cold from sweating?

Under normal circumstances, sweating does not cause a cold in babies because they have particularly strong resistance inherited from their mother. However, the possibility of a cold cannot be completely ruled out. If the weather is especially hot, make sure not to dress the baby too warmly. Also, ensure the baby drinks plenty of water. Parents can prepare some pure cotton towels so that they can wipe the baby anytime if there is excessive sweating. Clothes should also be changed in a timely manner to effectively prevent colds caused by the baby catching a chill.

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Written by Liu Yong
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Does a wind-heat cold cause clear nasal discharge?

Wind-heat cold often leads to the occurrence of a runny nose with clear mucus, which is common at the onset of this type of cold. Wind-heat cold is a common type of cold. Wind-heat cold frequently occurs in the summer and can cause symptoms such as nasal congestion, headache, dizziness, fever, sneezing, runny nose, coughing, and sore throat. During a wind-heat cold, the cough typically produces phlegm. Treatment primarily involves the oral administration of cool and pungent herbs that relieve the exterior symptoms. It is also advised to drink plenty of water, eat a light diet, and rest adequately during a cold.

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Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
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How to treat cold and dizziness during pregnancy?

Due to decreased immunity during pregnancy, women are particularly susceptible to infections from external microbes, leading to respiratory illnesses such as the common cold. The cold can cause symptoms like nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing, which can reduce the amount of oxygen inhaled. As the brain's demand for oxygen cannot be met, this can result in symptoms of dizziness. Since pregnant women cannot use medications due to the development of the fetus within, if dizziness occurs due to a cold during pregnancy, one can inhale some oxygen as a remedy. Additionally, using a hot towel on the nose to improve breathing can also help alleviate symptoms of dizziness.

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Written by An Yong Peng
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What is the difference between a hot cold and a cool cold?

Cold from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine is classified into two types: Wind-Heat Cold and Wind-Cold Cold. A Wind-Heat Cold may present symptoms such as coughing, coughing up yellow phlegm, yellow nasal discharge, sore throat, and fever. In contrast, a Wind-Cold Cold typically manifests as clear nasal discharge, dry cough or coughing up white phlegm, along with aversion to cold, headache, muscle soreness, and possibly a mild fever. Clinically, Wind-Cold Cold and Wind-Heat Cold are distinct and should be diagnosed under the guidance of a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner who can prescribe specific herbal treatments based on the patient’s symptoms. From a Western medicine perspective, symptomatic treatment is generally recommended. However, it is crucial to assess if the patient exhibits symptoms such as purulent phlegm, high fever, or persistently unimproved cold symptoms, which may indicate the need for a hospital visit to investigate potential bacterial infections that might require antimicrobial treatments.