The Best Way to Ease Cold Symptoms, According to a Doctor

Calling a cold “common” can be misleading — especially since coming down with one can be debilitating, not to mention annoying. So what’s the best way to ease cold symptoms, and is there a tried-and-true way to get over a cold quickly? That’s what we asked Jesus Lizarzaburu, MD, a board-certified family physician at TPMG Grafton Family Medicine. 

What’s the best way to ease cold symptoms?

A combination of rest, hydration, and medications can make cold symptoms more bearable. When it comes to meds: Try OTC pain relievers such as Tylenol or ibuprofen for achiness. For congestion, Lizarzaburu recommends antihistamines and Sudafed. (Keep in mind that the most effective form of Sudafed is kept behind the counter, so don’t forget to bring your ID to the pharmacy). He notes that you should only use Sudafed for up to a week because overuse can put you at risk of certain side effects. Speaking of overuse: “Be careful when [using] Afrin [nasal spray],” he says. “If you use it longer than 72 hours … you get more congested and it's hard to stop using it.” 

Featured Expert:

Jesus Lizarzaburu, MD - Board-certified family physician at TPMG Grafton Family Medicine

Outside of medications, getting rest — and sleep, specifically — helps your immune system fight off the cold. Hydrating helps keep your mucous membranes thin and flowing, so you can easily blow your nose and cough out what you need to. If plain water isn’t cutting it for you, hot tea with some honey will hydrate and soothe a sore throat, says Lizarzaburu. We love a multitasker.

Do vitamin C and zinc help with colds? 

Vitamin C and zinc may help you get over a cold fast or ease symptoms — but timing is everything: Zinc may shorten the length of a cold “if it's taken within the first day [of your cold],” says Lizarzaburu. So as soon as you feel symptoms coming on, reach for that zinc supplement. It won’t stop the cold from happening, but it could help you recover sooner.

Vitamin C, on the other hand, has to be taken before any symptoms to have the best chance of shortening a cold. Since you’re (probably) not psychic and won’t know if and when to expect a cold, taking vitamin C regularly is best — especially during cold and flu season, says Lizarzaburu. If you start upping your vitamin C after you feel symptoms, it likely won’t help. 

Vitamin C and zinc may not be effective for everyone, but they're generally safe to try. Lizarzaburu says to run it by your doctor first “just to see how everything is going to interact.” 

Can you prevent a cold entirely? 

Unfortunately, no. But you can increase your odds by staying generally healthy, says Lizarzaburu. He recommends washing your hands (even more so during cold and flu season), getting regular exercise, and eating a nutritious diet. 

Managing your stress can also play a part in keeping your immune system strong to prevent a cold. Easier said than done, though. “Unfortunately we live in a time that stress has become such a normal thing that nobody believes they're stressed,” says Lizarzaburu. “[Stress] increases cortisol and it basically just facilitates a state of inflammation … when you're in a state of inflammation, things don't work as well.” Consider this a sign to pamper yourself.