Can you drink milk when you have a cold?

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on May 04, 2025
00:00
00:00

Patients with a cold can drink milk in moderation. For a cold, it is advisable to eat a light diet and avoid spicy, stimulating, and greasy food. However, it is appropriate to consume some protein-rich foods, such as lean meat and egg whites. During a cold, you can drink a small amount of milk, but it should not be consumed in large quantities. Since milk contains a lot of protein, and the immune system of patients with a cold is weakened, their absorption capacity is reduced. Drinking too much milk can be hard to absorb, thereby increasing the burden on gastrointestinal functions, making it easier to produce phlegm. Therefore, it is not recommended to drink a lot of milk if the cold is severe.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
1min 6sec home-news-image

How to treat a cold during pregnancy

If you have symptoms of a cold while pregnant, it is advised not to self-medicate blindly. Always consult a physician and use medications that are relatively safer to treat the condition so as to prevent any potential impact on the fetus. This is particularly important during the first three months of pregnancy when the baby's development is still not complete, and indiscriminate use of some medications could possibly cause developmental abnormalities in the baby. It is suggested that everyone should distinguish the type of cold they are experiencing, and then treat and alleviate symptoms through dietary therapy. For instance, for a cold caused by exposure to wind and chill, one might drink some brown sugar ginger tea or have a warm foot bath, both of which can expel the cold from the body, promote blood circulation, and relieve cold symptoms. If it's a cold caused by wind-heat, drinking herbal teas that clear heat and detoxify can be beneficial in alleviating the condition.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
44sec home-news-image

What should I do if my nose turns red from a cold?

What should I do if my nose turns red from a cold? First, you should avoid rubbing your nose. You can relieve the swelling of the nasal mucosa through oral medications. The redness of the nose is due to the expansion of local capillaries. Additionally, external stimuli, pinching the nose, runny nose, and sneezing are all directly related. You can choose to take vitamin-based medications and medications known to affect glandular secretion for symptomatic treatment. If there is acute inflammation of the nasal mucosa, you should also choose some antibacterial drugs for treatment. Drink more water and rest more; generally, you will gradually recover in about three days.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
45sec home-news-image

What can a baby eat when they have a cold?

When a baby catches a cold, they typically exhibit symptoms such as fever, cough, and runny nose. Some may also experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other digestive system symptoms. Therefore, during this period, it is important that the diet is light and easy to digest. For instance, if the baby is breastfed, they can continue breastfeeding, but the mother should also maintain a light and easily digestible diet. Continuing with milk is fine, but it should be diluted to aid digestion. Additionally, light meals like porridge, noodles, rice paste, some vegetables, and a moderate amount of fruits as supplements can be given. Spicy, greasy, and stimulating foods should be avoided during this time.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
40sec home-news-image

How is a cold transmitted?

Colds are primarily transmitted through airborne droplets, as well as close contact with patients, shared utensils, and other means of transmission. This disease itself is a respiratory infection caused by viral infections, leading to symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, headache, fever, sore throat, and cough. However, it is self-limiting, so there is no need for concern. Once sick, drink plenty of water, rest, treat symptoms accordingly, and prevent complications. To prevent colds, strengthen protection, avoid going out during the flu season, exercise regularly, and boost immunity.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
1min 4sec home-news-image

Symptoms of the common cold recur repeatedly.

If cold symptoms repeatedly occur, it is primarily considered to be due to poor bodily resistance and physical fitness. In this case, it is crucial to focus on improving dietary nutrition by consuming foods rich in vitamin C and protein, eating smaller meals more frequently, and avoiding overeating at one time. Additionally, it is important to engage in active outdoor activities, increase physical exercise, enhance physical fitness, and improve personal resistance. It is also vital not to stay up late and to ensure adequate sleep, as the body promotes self-repair during rest and sleep, which can help alleviate cold symptoms more quickly. Besides these actions, it is necessary to follow a doctor's guidance and cooperate with the doctor to take the appropriate medications to treat the symptoms. Do not stop or reduce the medication dosage on your own to avoid repeated illness and prolonged recovery.