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Comment by k-mcgrady | Hacker News Reader

I agree with the parent when it comes to things like the cold. I seriously don't understand people who take paracetamol and tons of other over the counter stuff for that. When it comes to allergies though (hay fever in my case) I can barely function without antihistamines (and with them I'm still a wreck). I haven't found any of the home remedies to be effective for it whereas in the case of the cold plenty of water and some lemon and ginger tea seems to improve things a bit. In fact I've noticed I feel better with that than over the counter stuff for the cold.

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> I seriously don't understand people who take paracetamol and tons of other over the counter stuff for that. When it comes to allergies though...

Isn't that exactly like the grandparent comment's "allergies etc are not too difficult to bear in most circumstances"? I, like you, have bad allergies and I can't live without Singulair+Zyrtec. But...

I've had three colds and one bout of bronchitis this season, and I took OTC meds including painkillers because I had unbearable sinus congestion/pain and headaches each time. I also ended up doubling down on my usual meds for allergies+asthma since that got worse too. Colds aren't all mild with no complications. I don't begrudge people seeking symptom relief.

Taking medications that alleviate the symptoms of upper respiratory congestion also aid in preventing sinus infections down the road. Diminishing the effects of a cold has more benefit than just providing comfort, you are also helping to eliminate a breeding ground for nasty bacteria.

My wife will reliably get acute sinus infections following a cold if she doesn't take decongestants. She is generally aversive to taking any medication, but after 8 sinus infections in one year, she now always takes decongestants when a cold starts.

I'm thinking I might have that same issue. Can you share what works for her?

I'm not the parent, and I haven't had 8 in one year, but I've had a few, and my colds always come with congestion...

I use the hell out of neti pots/sinus rinses, steam inhalation (like a cup of tea - which, drinking lots of fluids also helps), and pseudoephedrine.

just like the other person who replied to you, a neti-pot and pseudoephedrine (which you have to go to the pharmacy counter to get in the US, but does not require a prescription).

I'm sure that happens to some people but I doubt it happens to a majority and everyone I knows pops whatever they can get their hands on for the cold.

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