Common cold epidemics often occur during the winter. Because of the mildness of the disease, its characteristic symptoms only last ten days, at the most. However, young children and people with weakened immune systems must be properly taken care of since it is their sensitivity to viruses that leads them to contract the common cold. Usually, the symptoms caused by a common cold do not last. However, they can be a source of irritation for people affected by this respiratory condition. Various homoeopathic remedies have been specifically developed to provide more comfort to patients and to reduce this disease’s symptoms.
During a common cold, nasal discharge is the main sign of the disease. While the discharge is initially clear-coloured, it may gradually thicken and take on a greenish colour. The affected person may also feel tingling sensations in the nose. Furthermore, frequent and abundant nasal discharge can irritate the nasal passages. When the virus affects the nose and spread to the throat, irritation and congestion of this area may occur, resulting in a slight cough.
Fever that occurs during a common cold may have different characteristics. The patient may either be subjected to a sudden onset of fever or to a minimal rise in body temperature, that is to say a fever of less than 38.5 ° C that takes a long time to set in. Moving a person from a warm place to a very cold one may be the cause of a high fever. In some cases, the patient may experience intense thirst.
Sore throat, due to virus proliferation in this area, may be accompanied by swallowing difficulties, burning sensations or severe pain. The onset of this symptom can be brutal and prone to complications resulting from an inflammation. A strong thirst, fever and restlessness can be observed in patients suffering from a common cold. Hot beverages can usually relieve the pain stemming from a sore throat.
When nasal discharge is clear-coloured, frequent and quite abundant, the homeopathic substance of choice is Allium cepa 5 CH. When the nostrils’ lining is irritated by frequent discharge, the use of Arsenicum iodatum 5 CH is recommended. The dose of these remedies consists of 3 granules, to be taken three times a day. These granules will be even more effective when left to dissolve under the tongue. When the discharge displays a greenish yellow colour, Kalium Bichromium 9 CH is recommended. When the nostrils are blocked by a substantial amount of mucus, it is recommended to take 5 granules of Mercurium solubilis 5 CH three times a day.
The use of Belladonna 5 CH is recommended if the fever gradually rises and stabilizes at 38.5 ° C and if the common cold’s other symptoms are not very disabling. In this case, the patient will need to take 5 granules of Belladonna three times a day. When a sudden change in temperature results in a mild fever, Ferrum Phosporicum 7 CH may prove to be an effective solution. As for Aconitum napellus 7 CH, it is recommended in case of high fever, profuse sweating and intense thirst. For the remedy to be effective, the patient will need to take 5 granules three times a day.
When a sore throat is caused by brutal cold, the use of Aconitum is recommended. It is advisable to take this remedy in 7 or 15-CH dilution as soon as the throat becomes sore. The patient should take 5 granules three times a day. Moreover, Belladonna is also quite suitable if the sore throat occurs suddenly, if it results in swallowing difficulties and is accompanied by fever. It is advisable to take this homoeopathic product from the onset of the common cold. The recommended dosage consists of 5 granules of Belladonna, to be taken 3 times a day.
When the child affected by a common cold is younger than 3 months old and is subject to a rise in temperature, it is recommended to seek medical attention. When the sick child has frequent and abundant diarrhoea, it is also advisable to provide him or her with immediate emergency care. Moreover, when fever exceeds 39 ° C in adults, or when the fever persists, it is essential to consult a doctor as well.
Good to know: Given that the common cold is a viral affection, treatment with antibiotics does not prove to be very effective. That it is why it is wise to resort to homoeopathic remedies, as they are fast-acting regardless of the observed symptoms. The appropriate remedies are Allium cepa, Belladonna and Aconitum.
