Cold or hot compress for a cold headache?

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on June 16, 2025
00:00
00:00

In clinical settings, when headache and cold symptoms appear, it's advisable to measure body temperature. If there are signs of fever, using a cool towel or ice pack to apply a cold compress to the forehead, and wiping the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, the neck, and the chest with warm water or alcohol can aid in physically lowering the fever. It is recommended to drink plenty of water, rest adequately, avoid stress, stay away from staying up late, and refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol. Consuming more green bean sprouts, tomatoes, carrots, and foods high in Vitamin C is advised, while avoiding spicy foods like chili peppers and stimulating products such as meat.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
51sec home-news-image

What fruits to eat when having a cold?

When you have a cold, you can eat some fruits, such as neutral fruits like peaches, grapes, kiwis, strawberries, and bananas. It is also advised that you eat a reasonable amount of vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins; vegetables such as cucumbers, loofah, small spinach, and lettuce are suitable too. It is also recommended to drink more water to enhance metabolism, improve your immunity, and meet the body's demands for various nutrients through the rich nutritional content in fruits. This helps strengthen the body and speed up recovery from illness. It is also suggested to exercise moderately to enhance physical fitness and immunity, thereby aiding faster recovery from illness. Furthermore, avoid staying up late, assure adequate sleep to enhance immunity.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
58sec home-news-image

What should a baby eat when they have a cold?

During a cold, both babies and adults generally prefer liquid food over solid food. Babies who haven't started on solid food should drink as much milk as possible. For those who are beginning to eat solid foods, in addition to drinking more milk, you can also appropriately increase their intake of plain water and rice porridge. Older children, besides the aforementioned, can also appropriately consume some light soups and can increase their intake of fresh vegetables and fruits. These can be made into vegetable purees or juiced according to the baby's needs. Babies are more prone to dehydration when they have a cold or fever. To prevent dehydration or treat mild dehydration, fresh apple juice can be used as a substitute. For moderate or severe dehydration, seek medical attention promptly; the doctor will take necessary measures for rehydration.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
1min 2sec home-news-image

How to measure temperature for a baby with a cold

Children catching a cold is a common occurrence, often accompanied by varying degrees of fever. Accurate temperature measurement is crucial for timely treatment with specialized medications. The most frequently and accurately measured temperature is the rectal temperature, as it is closest to the core body temperature. This measurement typically uses a mercury thermometer and takes about three minutes. If a mercury thermometer is not available, an infrared thermometer can also be used to measure the baby's ear temperature. Ear temperature also closely approximates the core body temperature. However, during measurement, it is essential to straighten the ear canal as much as possible to keep it in a straight line for accurate results. If it is not possible to measure the rectal or ear temperature, then measuring the forehead temperature is an alternative. However, the temperature on the forehead is generally about 0.5℃ lower than the rectal or ear temperature. This measurement is more affected by various factors and has a larger margin of error, which needs special attention.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
1min 18sec home-news-image

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

It is best not to eat lamb during a cold with coughing, as lamb is a kind of warming and tonifying food. Eating lamb can facilitate the production of phlegm by promoting internal heat, which may worsen the cough. Therefore, during a cold with coughing, it is advisable to avoid lamb and eat a light diet, avoiding spicy, greasy, raw, or irritating foods. However, it is important to note that during the recovery phase from a cold with coughing, it is appropriate to consume some lamb to replenish proteins and calcium, enhance resistance, and facilitate quicker recovery from the illness, so everyone is advised to pay attention to this. Additionally, it is also important to consume it in moderation, not in large quantities at once, as the digestive function is also reduced during a cold with coughing. Eating too much lamb at this time can lead to indigestion and increase the burden on the intestines. At the same time, it is recommended to maintain a light diet, consume more fresh fruits and vegetables to supplement vitamins, and improve resistance during a cold with coughing.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
55sec home-news-image

Why did I catch a cold again just after recovering from one?

Colds primarily occur among populations with diminished immune functions, such as infants and the elderly. Since infants do not develop their own resistance until the age of six, they tend to catch colds more frequently. It's also common for someone to catch a cold again soon after recovering if they get chilled. Thus, this group typically has particularly low immune function, leading to frequent colds. Therefore, we recommend that such patients should exercise regularly and consume foods high in vitamins. It is also advisable for them to engage in physical activities within their capacity. With long-term exercise, their immune strength can be significantly enhanced, thereby greatly reducing the frequency of colds. It's also wise to avoid going out to public places during the peak cold season whenever possible.