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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Is it good to eat oranges when you have a cold?

Eating oranges can help alleviate the symptoms of a cold. Oranges are rich in various vitamins and contain a lot of water. They help moisten the lungs, stop coughs, and enhance the body's immune system, aiding in the relief of symptoms. During a cold, it is also important to increase nutrition by consuming high-quality, high-protein foods such as milk, beef, and lean meats to replenish energy. If cold symptoms are severe, such as headaches, nausea, and high fever, one can take traditional Chinese medicine anti-cold treatments under the guidance of a doctor, such as Lianhua Qingwen capsules. If a secondary bacterial infection occurs, presenting symptoms like fever, cough, and yellow sputum, use antibacterial medication prudently based on the results of sputum culture and drug sensitivity tests, such as azithromycin or cephalosporin antibiotics.

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Can I eat lamb when I have a cold?

When you have a cold, you should not eat mutton as it is considered a "hot" food, which can aggravate the condition and lead to secondary infections. This type of food is considered an unfavorable stimulus for recovery from a cold. In terms of diet, it is advisable to eat lighter, softer foods rich in vitamins and high in fiber, such as fruits and vegetables. You should consume more celery, spinach, mung bean sprouts, tomatoes, carrots, avocados, dragon fruit, mangoes, and kiwis. Also, drink plenty of water, avoid staying up late, and avoid excessive stress.

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Can I eat cherries if I have a cold and cough?

Cough caused by a cold is very common in clinical practice. Most are due to viral invasion of the respiratory tract, causing inflammatory lesions that lead to varying degrees of coughing. Patients with a cough caused by a cold can eat cherries. This is because cherries have a high nutritional value, containing large amounts of vitamin C, vitamin B, and other micronutrients needed by the body. A cold itself occurs because of low immune function in the body and can lead to upper respiratory tract infection symptoms after exposure to cold. Eating some cherries can also be beneficial for such patients, aiding in a quicker recovery from the illness.

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Can you not eat seafood when you have a cold?

Cold patients can generally eat seafood unless they are allergic to it. The common cold is the most frequently seen acute upper respiratory tract infection in clinical settings, and it is a contagious disease. It can cause a variety of clinical symptoms such as fever, cough, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sore throat. Therefore, patients with a cold will experience certain consumption, including nutritional and fluid loss. Seafood is the most common marine product food, and it does not affect the common cold. This means that eating seafood does not worsen the clinical symptoms of a cold. Moreover, seafood contains rich nutrients, which can beneficially supplement the losses caused by the cold. Of course, a very small number of cold patients may have an allergic constitution and be allergic to seafood, in which case it is not suitable for them, but this situation is very rare.

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How to take care of a child with a cold

How to take care of a child during a cold? First, it is essential to ensure that the child rests in bed. Provide the child with plentiful water, offering small amounts frequently. If the child does not want to drink water, you can appropriately add some juice or glucose water. Also, monitor the temperature changes, generally measuring the temperature under the armpit. Second, it is crucial to keep windows open for ventilation at home, avoiding too cold or too hot environments, as neither is conducive to the child’s recovery from illness. Third, based on the changes in temperature, adjust the child’s clothing accordingly but avoid dressing the child too warmly or covering too thickly, as this can hinder heat dissipation. This is not only detrimental to the child’s recovery but can also exacerbate the illness and potentially lead to heat rash. Fourth, if the child sweats excessively, be sure to wipe the sweat timely and change their clothes. Fifth, in terms of diet, adopt a strategy of small, frequent meals that are light and easy to digest. The child should avoid eating fish, shrimp, spicy, and other stimulating foods. If the child has poor appetite or indigestion, do not force-feed them. Instead, frequently massage their abdomen, and if necessary, administer oral medication to aid digestion. Sixth, ensure adequate caloric intake and that the child urinates frequently and has regular bowel movements. Seventh, actively apply symptomatic treatment for the child and avoid the misuse of antibiotics. If the temperature persists for more than three days or if the condition worsens, it is imperative to visit the hospital promptly to avoid delaying the child's condition.