A cough and a runny nose are common symptoms of allergies and typical winter illnesses such as the flu and colds. When it’s caused by allergic reasons, an antihistamine is the most suitable medicine for immediate treatment, for relief, but to make sure it’s an allergic condition, other symptoms should be noted, such as sneezing, itching. nose or throat and sometimes eye symptoms such as itching, watery eyes, red eyes.
Medicines for coughs and runny nose should be used with some caution, because when they are used inappropriately, they can worsen the situation and lead to more serious illnesses, such as pneumonia, for example. Therefore, you should carefully observe if the cough is dry or if it produces some phlegm. Even if there is not much phlegm, the use of cough suppressants is not the best option, as this type of medication will block the cough that is necessary to remove this phlegm and lead to its accumulation in the lungs.
Thus, the ideal is to always consult a doctor before using any medicine, even over-the-counter, since, if used incorrectly, they can cause various types of complications.
The most used medicines and syrups vary according to the type of cough:
1. Medicines for dry cough
In the case of dry cough without other symptoms or if it is only accompanied by sneezing and a runny nose, it is likely to be an allergic reaction, in which case the person can take an antihistamine, such as cetirizine, and do nasal washes with sea water or saline to relieve symptoms.
However, the medicine should only be used by adults and if it has already been indicated by a doctor. In addition, the doctor should be consulted again if, after 3 days, the cough has not improved. Check out more about the recommended remedies for dry cough.
2. Cough remedies with phlegm
In the case of cough with phlegm, the consumption of medications that help to facilitate expectoration and reduce the symptoms are indicated. Boosting hydration, meaning drinking lots of water or tea, helps to fluidize and release sputum.
Some cold and flu remedies can be helpful. In cases where the phlegm is very persistent, has a greenish color, or if there is fever or associated pain, it is important to go to the doctor as there may be a bacterial infection that may need to be treated with an antibiotic such as amoxicillin. Check out more details about the treatment of cough with phlegm.
3. Cough syrups
Cough syrups and runny nose should only be used under medical advice after symptom assessment, but a good example is Vick syrup. In the case of coughing up phlegm and runny nose, the ideal is to strengthen the body’s natural defenses, increasing the consumption of foods rich in vitamin C, such as orange, acerola and pineapple, or taking 1 tablet of some vitamin C daily, which can be purchased in any pharmacy, even without a prescription.
Home remedy for cough and runny nose
Home remedies can help fight coughs and runny nose. One is lavender or blueberry tea, which should be brewed at the rate of 1 teaspoon for every cup of boiled water.
Some useful tips in case of cough and runny nose are: protect yourself from the cold, wearing appropriate clothes, eat well and don’t forget to drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated. What can even improve the cough by fluidizing the secretion, facilitating your expectoration.
