If you’re feeling sick with a cold this winter but don’t feel sick enough to go to the doctor, there are ways to help you feel better at home.Consumer Reports says there are some tried-and-true things you probably have in your cabinets to kick the cold from home.A spoonful of honey mixed in hot tea can ease congestion, coughing and throat pain. Gargling salt water can also help. Your mom was also right about chicken soup. It’s hydrating and provides electrolytes. >> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go <<“A cool-mist humidifier can be a good option, since dry air can worsen nasal congestion,” said Catherine Roberts from Consumer Reports. “A humidifier set to 30% to 50% humidity should produce enough moisture.” Affordable options like the AquaOasis humidifier can be found on Amazon for under $50.For better sleep, using an extra pillow or two to elevate your head can help drain your sinuses and relieve a stuffy nose. When considering medication, Roberts advises caution.”If you see any oral medications with phenylephrine on the store shelves, you should probably skip them,” she said. “Research has found this drug works no better than a placebo for relieving nasal congestion. The FDA has even proposed removing it as an active ingredient from cold medicines.” She also warns against prolonged use of nasal decongestant sprays such as oxymetazoline, or Afrin, as they can cause rebound nasal congestion after 72 hours.Roberts said there are times when you should see a doctor. “It’s a good idea to get checked out for flu or COVID-19 when you first get sick, since antiviral treatments are available,” she said. “Otherwise, you’ll want to see a doctor if you have problems like trouble breathing, a fever that doesn’t go away for more than four days, or other symptoms, like a cough, that don’t go away or get significantly better after 10 days or so.”To stay ahead of the cold, Roberts emphasizes the importance of getting a yearly flu shot, noting that it’s not too late to get vaccinated if you haven’t already.

MANCHESTER, N.H. —

If you’re feeling sick with a cold this winter but don’t feel sick enough to go to the doctor, there are ways to help you feel better at home.

Consumer Reports says there are some tried-and-true things you probably have in your cabinets to kick the cold from home.

A spoonful of honey mixed in hot tea can ease congestion, coughing and throat pain. Gargling salt water can also help.

Your mom was also right about chicken soup. It’s hydrating and provides electrolytes.

>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go <<

“A cool-mist humidifier can be a good option, since dry air can worsen nasal congestion,” said Catherine Roberts from Consumer Reports. “A humidifier set to 30% to 50% humidity should produce enough moisture.”

Affordable options like the AquaOasis humidifier can be found on Amazon for under $50.

For better sleep, using an extra pillow or two to elevate your head can help drain your sinuses and relieve a stuffy nose. When considering medication, Roberts advises caution.

“If you see any oral medications with phenylephrine on the store shelves, you should probably skip them,” she said. “Research has found this drug works no better than a placebo for relieving nasal congestion. The FDA has even proposed removing it as an active ingredient from cold medicines.”

She also warns against prolonged use of nasal decongestant sprays such as oxymetazoline, or Afrin, as they can cause rebound nasal congestion after 72 hours.

Roberts said there are times when you should see a doctor.

“It’s a good idea to get checked out for flu or COVID-19 when you first get sick, since antiviral treatments are available,” she said. “Otherwise, you’ll want to see a doctor if you have problems like trouble breathing, a fever that doesn’t go away for more than four days, or other symptoms, like a cough, that don’t go away or get significantly better after 10 days or so.”

To stay ahead of the cold, Roberts emphasizes the importance of getting a yearly flu shot, noting that it’s not too late to get vaccinated if you haven’t already.