How to Get Rid of a Cold Fast: 13 Tips from Our Pharmacists
How to Get Rid of a Cold Fast: 13 Tips from Our Pharmacists
A cold is often the first sign that winter is on its way: that telltale tickle in your throat, a blocked, runny nose, and just generally feeling run-down.
For most of us, the world doesn't stop turning simply because we've caught the common cold.
So, if you're looking to get rid of a cold fast, you've come to the right place.
Our pharmacists have put together 13 top tips to ease your symptoms and help you bounce back quicker.
Three key takeaways
Act early for the best results. Start treating your cold the moment you feel that first scratchy throat or sniffle, as days two and three are your best window to potentially shorten its duration.
Combine methods, not medication. Rest, stay hydrated, eat plenty of vitamin C-rich foods, supplement zinc, and take painkillersor targeted cold and flu medicines, but never together!
Know when to get help. See your GP if your cold symptoms haven’t improved after 10 days, get worse instead of better, or if you develop concerning signs like difficulty breathing or a persistent high fever.
What are the five stages of a cold?
Incubation (days one and two): You've been exposed to the cold virus but are still feeling fine.
Early symptoms (days two and three): You’ve got a scratchy throat, you’ve started sneezing, and you might feel a bit under the weather. This is the ideal time to fight back, so rest up and stay hydrated.
Symptoms peak (days three to five): You're experiencing the full brunt of your cold: a blocked nose, cough, fatigue, and a possible headache. Manage the symptoms as best you can with decongestants, cough syrups, painkillers, and plenty of rest and liquids until the worst of it passes.
Improvement (days five to seven): Your symptoms should now be easing off, though you may still have a lingering cough.
Recovery (days seven to 10): By this time, you’re nearly back to normal.
13 cold remedies to help you get back on your feet
1. Liquids, liquids, liquids!
“Staying well hydrated is one of the most important things you can do when you have a cold. Whether it’s water, herbal teas, or warm lemon and honey, you should aim for at least eight glasses a day.
“When you’re hydrated, it helps to thin mucus which reduces decongestion and soothes a sore throat, in addition to supporting your immune system in fighting the virus itself.”
“Your body does its best repair work when you're resting. Ideally, you should take a day or two off, as pushing through when you're unwell usually just extends your recovery time.
“If you can't take time off, take it as easy as you can and go to bed earlier to sneak some extra sleep in.”
“Painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen can help with headaches, body aches, and reduce a fever. Make sure you're following the recommended dose and not doubling up if you're taking combination cold remedies.”
Ayesha Bashir, Prescribing Pharmacist at Chemist4U
“Cold, cough and flu medicines that contain a combination of ingredients can be helpful when you're dealing with multiple symptoms at once, such as a headache, sore throat, congestion, chesty cough, and fever.
“They come in various forms: tablets such as Benylin Mucus Cough & Cold if you prefer something quick or you’re on the go, Lemsip Cold and Flu sachets that you mix into a hot drink, or cough syrups such as BronchoStop.
“Always check the ingredients carefully to avoid accidentally taking duplicate doses of paracetamol or other active ingredients, especially if you're also taking separate painkillers.”
“There's a bit of confusion around vitamin C and colds. Taking it daily won't prevent you from catching one; however, it can slightly shorten how long you're ill for.
“The good news is that most people get enough vitamin C from their diet alone, with something as simple as a daily glass of orange juice covering your daily intake.
“If you're not eating enough fruit and vegetables, now's the time to do so. Oranges, strawberries, pineapples, broccoli, peppers, and even fortified breakfast cereals, are all great sources that'll boost your vitamin C levels naturally.”
“Honey is excellent for soothing a sore throat and calming a persistent cough, particularly before bed.
“Manuka honey is especially good if you can get it, as it’s rich in antioxidants that may help your body fight off viral infections, like a cold. Take a spoonful on its own or stir it into warm water to drink.”
Ian Budd, Prescribing Pharmacist at Chemist4U
7. Clear your nose with a nasal spray
“Decongestant sprays provide quick, effective relief for blocked noses, especially at night if congestion is making it hard to sleep. Something like Sudafed Blocked Nose Nasal Spray works well, as it's non-drowsy and gives you up to 10 hours of relief.
“Remember not to use decongestants for more than five to seven days. Extended use can lead to rebound congestion and ultimately make things worse.”
“Stress can impact your immune system’s response, which can slow down how quickly you recover from a cold. Try meditation or deep breathing exercises to help your body focus its energy on fighting the infection.”
Claire Irwin, Prescribing Pharmacist at Chemist4U
9. Humidify the air
“Dry air from central heating can irritate your already inflamed airways. Use a humidifier to add moisture back into the air. This makes breathing easier and helps you sleep more comfortably.”
Ian Budd, Prescribing Pharmacist at Chemist4U
10. Up your zinc intake
“Taking a zinc supplement within 24 hours of when your cold symptoms start can make a difference. There's research that shows zinc can shorten the duration of a cold by about a day and reduce symptom severity as well.
“You should look for supplements containing between eight and 11mg of zinc to get the full benefit.”
Jason Murphy, Head of Pharmacy at Chemist4U
11. Gargle with salt water
“Half a teaspoon of salt dissolved in warm water, gargled three times a day (and then spat out), helps to reduce throat inflammation and loosen mucus. It's a natural remedy that's recommended by the NHS to soothe a sore throat.”
Ayesha Bashir, Prescribing Pharmacist at Chemist4U
12. Get steamy
“Inhaling steam for about 10 minutes helps to loosen mucus, reduce congestion, and soothe irritated sinuses.
“Simply fill a bowl with hot water (comfortable, not scalding), lean over it with a towel draped over your head to trap the steam, and breathe deeply. You can add menthol or eucalyptus oil if you have them to hand, too.”
Ian Budd, Prescribing Pharmacist at Chemist4U
13. Chicken soup for the soul
"There’s a reason why chicken soup is universally recommended when you have a cold. It’s because chicken is rich in a compound called carnosine, which studies suggest helps to reduce congestion.
“Beyond that, hot, nutrient-rich broths provide hydration and electrolytes, and the steam helps to clear congestion.
“When you're feeling unwell, warm, nourishing food supports your body's healing process. It doesn't have to be chicken soup specifically, though chicken does have that carnosine benefit, any wholesome broth or soup will help.”
Claire Irwin, Prescribing Pharmacist at Chemist4U
What to avoid when treating a cold
When you're battling a cold, there are some things that can hinder your recovery rather than help it.
Firstly, smoking is particularly problematic. It irritates your already inflamed airways, worsens congestion, and significantly slows down your body's healing process. If there was ever a time to cut back or stop smoking, it's when you're unwell.
Alcohol is another one to steer clear of, as it dehydrates you when your body needs fluids to fight the infection.
When to go to the doctor with a cold or flu
Most colds clear up on their own within a week or two. However, you should see your GP if:
your cold symptoms haven't improved after 10 days
they're getting worse instead of better
you've had a high temperature for more than three days, or your temperature is very high, and you feel hot and shivery
young children, especially babies under three months with a fever.
How Chemist4U can help you get rid of your cold
At Chemist4U, we stock a full range of cold and flu treatments, from decongestant sprays and combination remedies to cough syrups, painkillers, and vitamin supplements.
You can order everything you need online, and have it delivered straight to your door, so there's no need to venture outside when you're feeling unwell. Our team of pharmacists is also available if you need advice on which products would work best for your symptoms.
Unfortunately, no, a cold can’t be cured in just two days. The average cold lasts between seven to 10 days. You can ease your symptoms and potentially shorten the duration slightly with rest and treatment, but your body needs time to fight off the virus.
Is day three the worst day of a cold?
For most people, day three is when cold symptoms peak. Thankfully, after this point, you should gradually start to feel better.
What stage of a cold is sneezing?
Sneezing shows up early on, typically around days two or three, along with a scratchy throat and runny nose. It usually settles down as congestion worsens.
Chemist 4 U uses cookies (and other techniques) to enhance your shopping experience.
Read more about our cookie policy, terms and conditions and privacy statement. By continuing on this site and accepting our cookies you agree to the collection of information on this basis by us and by third parties on the platform as well as direct email marketing. Please customise your cookie settings below.
Find out more about our data policies.
