How to quickly clear a stuffy nose when you have a cold?

Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
Updated on May 01, 2025
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The common cold is a very common clinical disease, mostly caused by a decrease in immune function and viral infection. Symptoms of the common cold mainly include fever, nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and other discomforts.

When nasal congestion is caused by a cold, how can one quickly alleviate the symptoms of congestion? Generally, to relieve it in a short period of time, one can apply a hot towel to the nasal cavity or use some vasodilator drugs to improve the symptoms of nasal blockage temporarily.

Therefore, clinically, to relieve such symptoms, one can appropriately use some medication or apply a hot towel to the nose. However, the fundamental solution to nasal congestion caused by a cold is to use antiviral drugs for symptomatic treatment, as this is the only way to completely cure the nasal congestion symptoms caused by the cold.

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Pediatrics
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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.

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Can you eat grapefruit when you have a cold?

If you have a common cold, you can eat grapefruit. Grapefruit is rich in vitamins and can enhance the body's immunity and its ability to resist viral colds. You can eat some grapefruit in moderation during a cold, but it is not recommended to consume too much as it can burden the gastrointestinal tract. During a cold, the body is relatively weak, so it is important to eat a light and reasonable diet, consume more light fruits and vegetables, and avoid overly greasy, spicy, and irritating foods.

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What are the symptoms of a baby's cold?

Babies with a cold often experience symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, and fever. If the child's cold lasts no more than three days, you can treat it with some antiviral traditional Chinese medicine, as most initial colds are caused by viral infections. In terms of diet, it is important to ensure that the child consumes plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, avoids overly greasy food, and eats light, easily digestible meals. If the cold raises the child's temperature above 39°C, timely fever-reducing treatment is necessary. If the temperature does not exceed 38.5°C, physical cooling methods can be used to help reduce the child's fever. Additionally, it is important to ventilate the room for two hours every day.

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How to reduce fever from a stomach flu?

Generally, physical cooling methods such as wiping with alcohol or applying ice packs to areas with large arteries like the armpits, groin, or neck can be used to dissipate heat, but it is important to prevent frostbite. Secondly, you can drink herbal teas that clear heat, such as chrysanthemum tea or honeysuckle tea. Massages can also help reduce fever, focusing on acupoints like Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4), Dazhui (GV 14), and Yongquan (KI 1). Additionally, antipyretic and analgesic medications can be taken to help reduce fever. (Specific medications should be taken under the guidance of a physician.)

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How many days does a cold and fever last?

Common cold and fever generally last for about three to five days. However, if it is influenza, the duration might be longer. The specific condition should be determined based on individual constitution and disease tolerance, and it generally does not exceed seven days. If the fever persists for more than a week, secondary bacterial infection or other pathogenic respiratory inflammatory factors should be considered. Chest X-rays, complete blood count, and mycoplasma tests, among other diagnostic aids, would be necessary for a precise diagnosis. Appropriate measures to reduce fever should be taken during this time.