to give in and put a raw onion by my bed at night

[Paleninteresting]

Since the beginning of November I have had a permenant cold, cough, blocked ears and headache. I have been treated for sinusitis and all followed medical advise I have been given.

I keep thinking I am getting better and then it comes right back. I am exhausted with it and just want whatever it is gone.

A family member has said a raw onion by my bed would do it. As a scientist I feel sceptical but I am now so worn out by feeling unwell, I am willing to try anything.

[Gardencentregroupie]

Well it might stink your room out a little but it can't actually do any harm. Tbh I might have done it myself except we have no onions in.

[MardAsSnails]

If UABU then I don't care - I'm willing to try anything at this point in time! Hadn't heard of that one.

[FishInAWetSuitAndFlippers]

I would try it. At the very least it won't harm you. If it doesn't work you're no worse off.

I had blocked ears last year and it was awful, but I put vicks on some cotton wool and stuck that in my ears and it helped me lots.

Hope you feel better soon

[Paleninteresting]

Thank you so much for your replies. Vicks on cotton wool is also a new one on me and worth a punt.
All over Christmas I could not hear from my left ear and it was distressing and quite isolating. This appears to be resolved but tbh I am not fully sure.

My last hope is the onion, cut in half (apparently) after that ENT referral maybe?

[Treaclex]

Go for it anythings worth a try !! Not heard of this before but I know my MIL leaves chopped onions in her flower beds to stop the cats doing their business in them

[Paleninteresting]

Treaclex 😁

[mummarichardson]

Do you take a probiotic? Not the yoghurt ones but the proper tablet form? I used to get everything under the sun but then started taking one every day and haven't had anything for over a year. I also started taking a VIT D supplement so couldn't tell you which one has made the difference. Maybe worth a try for prevention in the future?

[hula16]

Not tried it but I have heard this. Same reason you should eat an onion which has been previously cut and then kept. The apparently draw all bacteria in.

My Grandmother (and several others I know) swears by putting Vicks on her feet then socks before bed.

Hope you feel better soon x

[Branleuse]

eating raw garlic should help. Chop a clove up into capsule/tablet sized pieces and swallow a couple, every day, or more often if you can (too much will give you heartburn) Also Vogel - echinacea, and drink loads of water

[blackcherries]

Not tried it but I have heard this. Same reason you should eat an onion which has been previously cut and then kept. The apparently draw all bacteria in.

So... you eat all the bacteria?

[Klaphat]

Neti pot?

[QuizteamBleakley]

If you're breaking the Vicks open then slather some on your feet and then pop some bedsocks on. Mmmmmmm.

[RentANDBills]

This reminds me of that old thread with the garlic. I cried laughing at that.

Going to steal your idea, OP and put a cut onion by my bed tonight. I've been ill permanently since frigging August and its driving DP and I potty.

[Klaphat]

www.snopes.com/food/tainted/cutonions.asp

[CocktailQueen]

Chop the onion. It helps to stop coughing at night.

This does work, bizarre as it may sound - I do it regularly for my dc.

Same reason you should eat an onion which has been previously cut and then kept. The apparently draw all bacteria in.

This can't be true! Do you have proof??

[user1480946351]

I do think it does harm actually. People do this silly stuff, happen to get better at the same time (because it was time for them to get better) and they start to believe in the guff, if even a little bit.
And it spreads a little more stupid around the world, which is bad for us all, especially as we have never been more mired in it.

[CocktailQueen]

And I don't belivee the onion takes bacteria into itself - it just seems to work for coughs. No idea why.

[LivingInMidnight]

this is the best sinus irrigator I ever used.

[Clandestino]

The legend about a raw onion sucking in all the viruses is bollocks. It's based on the hoax which tells you to cut a raw onion, then inspect it the next morning under a microscope to see all nasty flu viruses.
In which case I will call you a Superwoman for being able to see and differentiate flu viruses under an ordinary microscope. Apparently some doctor made the discovery in 1919, which should already warn you of the fact that someone was playing a mean practical joke.

[hula16]

Should have read shouldn't eat but alas someone with real science has posted a link so not to worry.

Like I said not tried just sharing the wives tales I'd heard

[user1480946351]

I think people are confusing it with a cut onion absorbing smells, like in a fridge?

[Pinksink]

No ode if it'll work but I feel your pain. Non stop cold since early November apart from a few days over Christmas. Really thought I was getting better last night to feel like hell again today 😢

[steff13]

I have a friend who simmers minced fresh garlic in olive oil for about 20 minutes, then strains it, and puts a couple drops of the oil (still warm, not hot) in her ears when they are congested or sore. She swears it helps.

[user1471446433]

I had as you describe plus vertigo from the sinus pressure on & off for years. It was utterly miserable I saw ENT, had MRI etc etc
I haven't had any problems since I got one of these & I use it every day
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B000RDZFZ0/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1483541307&sr=8-1&keywords=neilmed%20sinus%20rinse&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

Worth a shot?

[PigletWasPoohsFriend]

Might try these for DH.

There seems to be a few colds this year that refuse to go away.