Imagine this – it is peak summer, beads of sweat are rolling down your face, and you have a nasty little cold. Sounds familiar? Well, most of us have been in this situation in the past and tried to figure out the science behind this summer cold. Let’s understand why we are susceptible to colds in the summer season, and how we can take care of them.
Simply put, a summer cold is a common cold that you catch during summertime. People associate winters with cold and flu, but it is quite possible to catch a nasty cold during summers because the virus inhabits our environment all the time. An individual is a victim to cold at least twice a year, and while colds are more common during winters, the summer colds are notorious and have more symptoms.
Winter cold is caused by rhinovirus. A summer cold is known to be caused by both – rhinoviruses as well as respiratory enterovirus. While rhinovirus causes common cold symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, or difficulty in breathing, the enterovirus may cause severe symptoms.
A summer cold presents the following symptoms:
Just like any other cold, summer cold tends to congest the nasal tract. You might experience inflammation and swelling, which obstructs the flow of air.
The sinus region of the face is affected when you have a cold in summer. This makes the eyes unusually watery. Every time you sneeze or cough, the eyes are stressed and tend to keep the waterworks running far longer than in winter.
A cough is a sure sign of a summer cold. It is a gigantic effort by your body’s reflexes to clear up the breathing pathway and mucus that nudges the rear end of the throat. The cough lasts for a long time and can cause the chest muscles and ribs to feel sore. The cough is caused by agitated receptors that are found inside the throat.
Several home remedies can treat your summer cold and get you to feel better. Here are some remedies for summer cold and cough that you will surely help you.
Garlic is a blood purifier. A blend of garlic, lemon, chilli powder and honey has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Chilli powder has a thermogenic effect on the nasal passage. The vitamin C in lemon can boost immunity.
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A variety of spices and seeds are rich sources of iron and have powerful antioxidant properties which help in faster recovery.
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Ginger has antimicrobial properties that help fight summer colds. When mixed with lemon and honey, and consumed regularly, ginger can really speed up the recovery process.
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Onion helps to flush out toxins from your body in an effective manner.
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Pepper has compounds like piperine while turmeric has antiseptic properties that help clear congestion and work as an expectorant. A combination of pepper, turmeric, milk and honey can work wonders in treating summer colds naturally.
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Curcumin in turmeric work as an antiseptic, and have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can really help your body battle summer cold.
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Cinnamon helps to curb the viral attack and heal other infections.
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Apple cider vinegar has antimicrobial properties which help ease cough and irritation.
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Holy Basil is known for its antimicrobial properties and its ability to decongest the nostrils. It has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect on the body.
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Essential oils, when used with a steamer, can clear nasal congestion and help you breathe easier.
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Additionally, you can remember the following tips on how to get rid of a summer cold naturally:
Some frequently asked questions are answered below:
A summer cold lasts for seven to ten days.
Sweating is a natural phenomenon, and medically, there is no proof about whether it is good or bad to sweat when you have a cold.
A winter cold gets over sooner while a summer cold tends to last longer, and may be caused by different viruses.
Equipped with this information, you can fight off your summer cold easily and get ready to enjoy the warm, picnic-friendly weather once more. Remember to consume vitamin-rich foods, stay hygienic, and remain active throughout the summer.