The mad rush of the holiday season is over and so with it comes illness and much needed sleep. The weather will become chillier and it is the perfect time to stay warm and cozy in bed. But for those who need help combating the winter ailments, stock up on these simple yet trusty medications and remedies to cure the common cold this winter.
Dry skin
For dry facial skin, it’s best to follow a good routine. Start by washing with warm water, as hot water can cause skin to dry out quicker. Use a mild facial cleanser as skin is more temperamental to cold windy weather. To restore moisture without the use of a cream, try a natural oil, like avocado oil, which is best for dry, irritated and sensitive skin. Avocado oil is also high in vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids, which helps to decrease inflammation.
Buy Avocado Oil by Sky Organics for $11.35 on Amazon.
Chapped lips
There is nothing worse than dry, cracked and chapped lips, especially when such irritation leads to pain and bleeding. For this, we recommend Blistex Medicated Lip Ointment for daily and nightly use. Blistex brings cooling relief and rehydration to even the most chapped lips. Most importantly, apply liberally before bedtime to keep lips moist overnight, as it is when we sleep that our mouths and lips become most dry.
Available for $3.99 at Target. Cocoa butter and Vaseline are also good healing options for your lips to drink in moisture.
Stuffy nose
A stuffy nose means you more than likely won’t be able to breathe very well and can be due to a cold, sinus infection or dry air of winter. This may seem like an obvious choice, but it is nonetheless a medicine cabinet essential. Vick’s VapoRub can be applied under the nose and on the chest to open nasal passageways, making it easier to breathe during congestion. The mentholated topical ointment is not for children under 2 years of age.
Vicks VapoRub retails for $5.49 at Target.
Sore throats
Drinking hot water and lemon, green tea with apple cider vinegar and even gargling with salt water have been proven natural at home remedies to aid in soothing a sore throat. But for an on-the-go or at work solution, you’ll want something that will cool, calm and soothe the irritation and soreness while you carry on throughout your day. Try throat lozenges with honey, lemon and mint.
Brands like Halls, Ricola, Sucrets and Chloraseptic offer several solutions in a variety of flavors. All are available in local drugstores.
Body aches
Whether it’s from an illness or shoveling too much snow, to get rid of muscle aches, consider taking a warm bath with Epsom salts. Hot bath water naturally soothes achey muscles, but the addition of Epsom salt helps relieve muscle pain as the salt breaks down into magnesium sulfate, which is great for soothing an overworked and tired body.
Available at Target.
