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.

Oh for ears try rock salt microwaved & wrapped in cloth/a sock then lay down with ear on it. Works a treat.

If an onion 'draws in all the bacteria' it would still do nothing for a cold, which is a virus, as are many other related illnesses such as coughs and sore throats. Also, Vicks used to have a section on their website saying how putting vaporub on their feet had no effect, but I assume their marketing people decided to remove it as their sales will be greater if people are slathering it all over their feet.

OP, I hope you feel better soon. Rest, fluids and an appointment to see the GP if you are feeling no better.

Significantly increase how much water you drink, and cut down/out alcohol and caffeine. Any underlying sinus issues can be caused/aggravated by dried out mucus membranes, which get hammered in winter due to the drying effects of central heating.

tried kefir? I agree with the advice on the probiotic supplements - since I had my first DC 6 years ago I often find i get run down in winter, the last few years I've found a course of kefir has seen it off (and sleeping more).

My mother used to do that.

Can I also recommend warm beer with honey? (Ok, that is delicious!)
Ginger tea?
Garlic with cod-liver oil?
Or, alternatively, (according to my nonna), you need water with salt and go to a priest. He shall bless the water and you should sprinkle it in your house. Put it in the fridge so it wont go off.

If you have a gas boiler get it checked asap. Do you have a carbon monoxide monitor?

Do you eat properly are you getting enough sleep?

Are you stressed?

How old are you?

Vicks on a pillow does help with your breathing. Lemsip can help relieve symptoms. I'm only guessing but it could be stress or your diets shit.

End of that is a good point it could be carbon monoxide I would get your boiler.

Chicken soup not from the tin but with vegetables and chicken you chop yourself. If you put thyme in it it helps clear your chest from all that mucous. Winter comfort food I love it.

Chopping onions makes my eyes and nose stream so that can imagine that they might help to clear a head cold.

Have you tried a day of mega doses of vitamin c?

Vics or olbas oil would have the same effect as an onion, except you wouldn't smell of onion. I think it just makes you produce mucus at night and that clears out some of the virus in your nose.

Thank you everyone for all your suggestions. I know the onion has no scientific basis-see my first post. It does however demonstrate how sick of this I am that I may resort to woo strategies.

To respond to direct questions and points.
I have a carbon monoxide detector- but still a good point for others.
I am mid 40s
My diet has only deteriorated over Christmas and does not coincide with this thing.
Eat loads of garlic.
The alcohol and caffeine suggestions are well worth thinking about.
The idea of washing my nose out actually makes the hairs on my neck stand up but I may have to just steel myself and do it.
I will google kefir.
Thanks all

Check your house for black mould on the walls - look behind furniture and in corners, especially in north facing walls.

The carbon monoxide point is excellent. Get that checked first.

Then if it's not that - and I really hope it's not - try the NeilMed sinus irrigator thing. I get recurring sinus infections and it really does help ease my symptoms.

Also, lots of hot drinks. I drink loads of lemon, honey and ginger tea (not bags, slices of lemon and ginger steeped in a pot with boiling water, then honey added) when I'm full of cold and ok it's probably psychosomatic to some extent but it also helps.

Plus Vicks vaporub on your feet at night, under a thin pair of cotton socks., Sounds weird, works. Buggered if I know why though. It's probably another psychosomatic thing but who cares?

i agree the NeilMed neti pot and sinus irrigator thing does help - it's gruesome, and not attractive, but it really does help. ChuckingGoat do kefir - you can also buy it in Lidl, and the probiotics in boots. Everything I've ever read about these issues and from anecdotal evidence from friends says you are probably mostly exhausted - any chance of a proper break?

Are you certain you don't have damp in your house OP?

Homeopathy is the one thing that really works for my sinusitis

I was horrified at the idea of nasal irrigation too, but my allergies were so bad this last summer that I was forced to try anything. It's incredibly satisfying and refreshing when you're congested (though when you're really, really blocked up, it can take some patience and alternating of nostrils).

I've had similar problems for the past couple of months which all came to a head over Christmas where I was very ill indeed.
Last week I noticed my hearing was Nil, and my head just hurt, so I started steaming. For 10 minutes Four times a day I've stuck my head under a towel over a bowl of boiling water with just one drop of lavender in it, and just breathed in the vapour, whilst intermittently blowing my nose.
Then yesterday came the crunch. Blew my nose and both ears popped. I can hear again, and all the pressure has gone. Bliss.

No but you might get relief with garlic. I sautee an entire minced garlic in a little olive oil and use it as a dressing on toast/salad etc. It's the only thing that works for my sinuses.

its not just garlic you need to eat OP, its got to be raw x

You are all so helpful. Two friends have offered to pin me down and assist with nasal irrigation, so that's something to look forward to.

I have experienced increasing allergies since becoming peri-menopausal and I can't help but think it's all related.

No chance of a real break for 10 months.

Thanks for providing me with a range of strategies which don't involve onions.

Are you taking anti histamine for your allergies? They will dry up your sinuses & make everything worse.
The saline rinse is really fine just be sure to squeeze slowly, have head tipped forward & make sure it's warm. Cold hurts!

I was prescribed and have been using anti-histamine and a nasal spray together.
This not OK?

4 Head really helps me when my sinuses are bad, you rub it on your forehead and temples, it's menthol and very soothing plus helps a bit with congestion.