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 tearing a symptom of a severe cold?

Tearing during a cold is not an indicator of a severe cold; a severe cold actually refers to more serious general symptoms in the patient. The common cold, also known as an upper respiratory tract infection, involves the respiratory tract from the cricoid cartilage of the trachea up to the nasal cavity, which is called the upper respiratory tract. An upper respiratory tract infection is essentially an infection in this part of the respiratory tract. If an infection occurs, the primary symptoms include nasal congestion, a runny nose, sore throat, and coughing. However, some patients may experience severe general symptoms, including fever, joint pain in the limbs, muscle soreness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms often indicate a severe cold. Tearing alone during a cold is quite common and can also be seen in milder cases of the common cold. Therefore, it is not a significant indicator for diagnosing a severe cold.

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How many days does it take to recover from a cold caused by wind-cold?

Patients with a common cold due to wind-cold usually improve within about 3 to 7 days under normal conditions. The most severe period is the first 1 to 2 days, during which symptoms such as severe coughing and a runny nose are more pronounced. It is recommended to always pay attention to keeping warm and avoid getting chilled to prevent worsening the condition. If the cold is severe, it is crucial to go to a formal hospital in time and treat the symptoms based on the doctor's guidance. Additionally, one can use some anti-inflammatory and wind-cold fighting medicines for effective treatment, which can help improve the cold and hasten the healing process.

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Is having phlegm in a cold due to wind-cold or wind-heat cold?

Simple cases of colds accompanied by coughing phlegm cannot distinguish between cold-induced colds and heat-induced colds. Clinically, patients with heat-induced colds often have yellow phlegm when coughing occurs, and heat-induced colds are more common in summer. Patients will also experience fever, chills, and sore throat among other clinical symptoms. Wind-cold colds clinically manifest with nasal congestion and a runny nose, usually with clear nasal discharge, as well as fever, itchy throat, and dry cough. When patients cough, it is typically characterized by clear phlegm. Therefore, if one simply states that a cold involves phlegm, it is not possible to differentiate between wind-cold cold and wind-heat cold.

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How to take care of a baby with a cold

When a baby has a cold, it indicates that the baby has an acute upper respiratory infection. Over 90% of colds are caused by viral infections, and 10% are caused by bacterial infections. When a child catches a cold, in addition to administering medication, nursing care is very important. First, the child should be allowed to rest, sleep more, drink plenty of plain water, and avoid vigorous activities. It is important to monitor the child's temperature and promptly manage any symptoms if the child develops a fever. Additionally, ensure that the child's diet is light and easy to digest; it's better to drink more soups and avoid fatty meats or sweets. Also, under the guidance of a doctor, administer symptomatic medications to the child, and always follow the instructions carefully when using medications to avoid taking too much or too little, as either can be inappropriate.

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The difference between heat cold and cold cold in children

When children catch a cold, parents can use the following methods to determine whether it is a cold caused by wind-cold or wind-heat. Parents can observe the child's nasal discharge. Generally, children with a cold have a runny nose. If the discharge is clear, it usually indicates a wind-cold cold. If the nasal discharge is thick and somewhat yellow, it suggests a wind-heat cold. Starting with clear nasal discharge and then turning yellow indicates that the child has inflammation. Parents can also judge by observing how much the child is bothered by the cold. Generally, a wind-cold cold will show more obvious signs of being chilly, with an increase in body temperature, while a wind-heat cold doesn't show chilly symptoms as noticeably, or may not show any at all. It is important to watch for signs of the child shivering. Based on these identification methods, parents must timely administer appropriate medication to treat the child's symptoms.