The arrival of cold and flu season inevitably brings with it the familiar rituals of avoiding sick coworkers, stocking up on vitamin C, and desperately trying to sidestep the sniffles. Yet, no matter how many precautions one takes, getting sick sometimes feels inevitable. When a cold does strike, there’s little to do other than wait it out while managing the symptoms. However, some of the remedies people instinctively reach for—like forceful nose-blowing or over-the-counter medications—could potentially make matters worse instead of better.
A stuffy nose is among the most frustrating symptoms of a cold, with thickened mucus making breathing feel like a luxury. While it’s tempting to grab a tissue and blow hard to clear nasal passages, doing so with too much force can actually exacerbate the problem. The pressure created during vigorous nose-blowing may push mucus back into the sinuses, where it doesn’t belong, instead of expelling it entirely. This backward flow can worsen congestion and make recovery even more uncomfortable. Furthermore, overzealous nose-blowing can lead to ear pain, nosebleeds, bacterial infections, headaches, and, in extreme cases, even fractures around the eye socket.
When blowing your nose, it’s critical to be gentle to avoid spreading contaminated mucus into the sterile areas of the sinuses or eustachian tubes, which connect the throat to the middle ear. These parts of the body are designed to remain free of bacteria, so introducing mucus can lead to secondary infections. Instead of relying solely on tissues, saline irrigation has been found to provide significant relief. A saline rinse helps clear mucus while promoting better nasal breathing without the risks associated with forceful blowing.
As for medications, not all are as effective as their labels might suggest. Many over-the-counter cold medicines do little more than mask symptoms temporarily, and their use can come with unwanted side effects, particularly for children, who are more sensitive to these drugs. Recent revelations about the questionable effectiveness of phenylephrine, a common decongestant, only add to the doubts about these treatments. Antibiotics, often mistakenly used for colds, are entirely ineffective because colds are caused by viruses, not bacteria, making these prescriptions unnecessary and potentially harmful when misused.
Navigating cold and flu season means focusing on remedies that actually work while avoiding those that might do more harm than good. Gentle nose-blowing, saline irrigation, and proper hydration can go a long way in managing symptoms without overcomplicating recovery. Recognizing the limitations of medications and understanding the viral nature of colds can help individuals make smarter choices for their health during the season of sniffles. While there’s no magic cure, careful management can ease the discomfort and ensure a smoother road back to wellness.
