With so many variables in life keeping us on our toes, one thing always remains a constant: cold and flu season. Every year when sickness falls upon us, we find ourselves trying to differentiate between which one we might have. There are some key symptoms to each, and they can vary when it comes to treatment. With so many medications to choose from on the shelves, it can be overwhelming to make a decision. Show
A Few Key DifferencesBecause colds and the flu are so similar, it can sometimes be difficult to determine which you are suffering from. In short, a cold is usually more mild than the flu. See the chart below for from the CDC for a list of common symptoms: Cold TreatmentsStuffy and runny nose, sore throat, sneezing and, to a lesser extent, mild chest discomfort are the primary traits of a cold. The recommended treatment options are:
Other remedies such as gargling with warm salt water, saline nasal rinses, and supplements such as Vitamin C, Echinacea and Zinc can be very helpful as well. Eating a hot bowl of chicken soup might sound cliché, but it really is soothing and helpful in combating congestion. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and stay hydrated. Too often people with a cold skip this step and risk dehydration, which can lead to a much longer recovery time. Flu TreatmentsWhile a flu test is required to be officially diagnosed with the flu, the severity of symptoms is usually enough for us to distinguish on our own. When self treating for the flu, you can start by using the above mentioned products for a cold. The cold symptoms will all likely be present during your flu as well. You’ll also be faced with the added fever and chills, headache and cough. The treatment for these include:
In addition to the supplements mentioned before, Oscillococcinum and Elderberry have been recently recommended by healthcare professionals to boost immunity. Adding moisture into the air you are breathing at home is beneficial as well. With a vaporizer you can even add menthol to the water for added relief. For a fever, consider placing a cool, damp washcloth on your forehead to aid in bringing down your body temperature. Pain relievers, of course, will diminish a fever as well. As with anytime you are reaching for over-the-counter medication, be sure to consult your pharmacist or physician if you have any health concerns. Certain medications are not safe to take if you are pregnant or have high blood pressure. Be sure to read the directions carefully, especially if you’re giving them to children. There are many combination products available to cut down on the amount of pills you have to take, such as Zyrtec-D, Mucinex-D and others. This article looks at what antihistamines are, what research says about them as a cold treatment, and your other options for treating a cold.  What Are Antihistamines?Antihistamines are medications that help relieve allergy symptoms. When you're exposed to an allergen, your body creates a chemical called histamine. Histamine causes allergy symptoms like:
Antihistamines block that reaction. That's why they stop symptoms. But your body also uses histamines to deal with physical damage and infection—such as a common cold. Is It a Cold or Allergies? RecapAn allergic reaction makes your body release histamine. Histamine causes symptoms. Antihistamines block it to prevent or halt symptoms. Histamine may also be involved in the common cold. Types of AntihistaminesMany antihistamines are available over the counter (OTC). Some of the older ones can cause drowsiness. But newer products are less likely to make you sleepy or cause other side effects. Older antihistamines include:
Newer drugs include:
Antihistamines for ColdsMany healthcare providers have seen that antihistamines are inconsistent as cold treatments. Research has long been mixed, too.
It's possible some symptoms aren't related to histamine. So the drugs have no effect. It's also possible some people respond better to the medications than others. Antihistamines are considered safe for adults. So it's likely safe to see whether they impact cold symptoms. That's especially true if you already take one for allergies. That's not true for children, though. Studies say no evidence shows antihistamines help relieve kids' cold symptoms. Because the drugs can have side effects, the risk is generally believed to outweigh potential benefits. Always check with your healthcare provider before taking a new medication. RecapResearch and clinical experience are inconsistent. Antihistamines may help cold symptoms in some people and not others. Some symptoms may have causes other than histamine. Antihistamines are believed safe for adults. Don't use them to treat colds in children. Other OptionsYou have plenty of other options for relieving cold symptoms. A lot of over-the-counter cold medications are available. Many have several active ingredients. Try to find one that only addresses the symptoms you have. That way, you won't get unnecessary drugs and, possibly, their side effects. You can also use non-medication options. They include:
These may help when used alone or in addition to other treatments. Things to Do When You Get the Flu SummaryHistamine is a chemical your body releases when you're exposed to allergens. It's responsible for allergy symptoms It may also be involved in the immune system's attack on the common cold. Antihistamines are drugs that block histamine. They're effective for allergies but have mixed results for cold symptoms. Other options for cold treatment include OTC medications, nasal sprays, and herbal products. A Word From VerywellIf you're looking for relief from cold symptoms, read medicine labels carefully. It's easy to double-up on medications if you're using a multi-symptom product along with antihistamines or other drugs. If you're not finding anything that helps, talk to your healthcare provider. They may be able to suggest something more effective. Can you have antihistamine with cold and flu?Most experts say that histamine isn't the major cause of a runny nose when you have a cold. Even so, some of the older antihistamines, such as brompheniramine and chlorpheniramine, can bring relief. Newer antihistamines like fexofenadine (Allegra) and loratidine (Claritin) have not been shown to work for cold symptoms.
Can you take cold and flu medicine with allergy medicine?Don't mix cold and allergy meds, warns FDA
It's sometimes hard to tell if your child's runny nose and sneezes are coming from their allergies or possibly a winter cold. But knowing the difference is critical to avoid over-medication, warns the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
What happens if you take antihistamines with a cold?Antihistamines are widely used over-the-counter to treat various allergic conditions. However, these medicines have little known benefit for children with colds and can cause sedation and occasionally agitation in children.
What tablets can you not take with antihistamines?Examples of medicines that could cause problems if taken with antihistamines include some types of:. antidepressants.. stomach ulcer or indigestion medicines.. cough and cold remedies that also contain an antihistamine.. |
Can i take antihistamines with cold and flu tablets
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