Mumsnet users share their tips for managing colds and flu with Lemsip

[JustineBMumsnet]

This sponsored discussion is now closed.

Traditional cold and flu season may be behind us, but memories of how a cold and flu make you feel won’t be. Whether it’s a sore throat, blocked nose or a full blown fever, there’s a product out there designed to help with the symptoms. With that in mind Lemsip would like to hear about the ways you usually manage a cold or the flu, what type of products you use and what makes you choose them.

Here’s what Lemsip has to say: “we understand that every person and every cold is different and our aim is to help you treat your symptoms and yourself the best way possible. With this in mind Lemsip would like to learn more about why and when you reach for certain cold and flu products.”

What do you usually do when you start to feel unwell? What do you find helps the most? Are the solutions you like the ones that make you feel physically better, or those that keep your spirits up while you’re under the weather? What do you use to help keep the symptoms at bay so you can get some much needed rest overnight? Do you find natural remedies help? What would make you reach for a hot drink remedy?

Whatever your tips for managing colds and flu, share them with Lemsip below and you’ll be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £100 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

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Plenty of cups of tea, nice clean PJs snuggled up in front of a trashy boxset.

When its a really bad cold I find a hot toddy makes me feel better (minis the whisky when in charge of small children, of course!)

When having a cup of lemsip, I always hold the cup under my nose and inhale the steam between sips. Definitely helps me to feel less congested.

I make sure that I drink plenty of fluids, water or squash/juice and take vitamin c tablets and paracetamol if I feel I need it. I try and get rest if I can but often just get on with things to try and take my mind off feeling unwell. I also use balm coated tissues and make sure that they are disposed of properly and wash hands frequently.

Stock up on decongestants, cough medicine & ibuprofen before you think you'll need it so when you're too ill to go shopping you don't need to!

Lots of fluids (one of the reasons I like Lemsip actually, you get extra!)
Chilli potato wedges to clear your nose and a warm drink with honey for your throat

A hot bath then cuddle up on the sofa with a warm blanket and hot water bottle. And Lem-sip, of course.

When I start to feel unwell I drink loads of water. If I have a sore throat, I take paracetamol.. and go to bed early. I try not to drink, and eat really healthy. And, if I get ill, I try and sweat it out by going for a really long run or a big workout..

At worst case scenario, I go to bed for a day, but I very rarely get ill, thankfully!

I try to drink lots of water, take a high strength vitamin c tablet (soluble) everyday and I also add in drops of liquid echinacea. This is all when I start to feel mild symptoms of a cold.
If the cold comes out, I use antihistamines to help with inflammation in my sinuses, plus paracetamol and ibuprofen. Lots of rest/nap where I can.

Oh and a small spoon of honey if I have a tickly, irritable cough at night. It costs the throat and calms it enough so that I can at least get to sleep.

I like to take regular paracetamol and hibernate whereas my husband prefers to spend time out in the fresh air. We are very lucky as we rarely have colds.

Gargle warm salt water at the first sign of a cold/flu. Regular hot drinks with ginger honey and lemon.

After I have drank half my lemsip drink I gargle with the second half when it is luke warm. It soothes my throat and sinuses a treat.
Then I go for a walk by the sea the fresh air if I can.

I use a heated bag on my face, neck and shoulders. It seems to ease the tension and pain of congestion.

I don't like having multiple pills and potions and syrups, so try and keep it simple with separate products so I know what's what.
Paracetamol, ibuprofen, antihistamine and decongestant are in my medicine kit year round.
A hot shower is great, sometimes I put drops of essential oils in, geranium as a pick me up, or a decongestant oil blend.

breathing the steam from pine needles in a bowl of hot water is the best thing to clear airways.

As a child I always had tea and toast or soup and bread when poorly and still feel this is comfort. I would take cold and flu tabs and plenty of water and rest when I can.

Rest as far as possible. Eat what you can eat when you fancy it. Grapes. Ice cream even. Yes lemsip. Fluids.

Not keen on the taste of lemsip so I alternate/layer paracetamol and ibuprofen depending on how severe the cold is, keep drinking warm drinks (hot squash, honey and lemon, peppermint tea are my go to ones) and blast Otrivine for sinusitis up my nose. It's the best thing for blocked sinuses ever. I go full on attack mode with it. Also don't drag myself into work. Rest is best.

When I start to feel like like I'm coming down with a cold I try to get as much rest as possible. First thing in the morning I have a lemsip to unblock my sinuses and clear my throat.
Hot honey and lemon, spicy chicken soup, medicine with paracetamol and comfy blankets all the way. 🙌🏼

Drink lots of fluids definitely. I love yam soup. It's delicious, filling and nutritious. I definitely like using natural remedies vs. standard and I search around until I find one that I like the sound of.

Lots of water, rest, TLC and vapour rub if needed for chests and noses. Lot's of handwashing too and binning tissues asap. I find paracetamol or capol just as good as all the powders and drinks etc.

Chocolate helps to cheer them up. I find sleep better after a bit of chocolate!

I'm just coming out the other side of the most awful flu so this thread appealed to me greatly!
What do you usually do when you start to feel unwell? What do you find helps the most?
I go to bed earlier, stock up on vitamin c and d and hope for the best

Are the solutions you like the ones that make you feel physically better, or those that keep your spirits up while you’re under the weather?
The solutions I like the most are the ones that make me feel physically better. I can't keep my spirits up if I feel lowsy, I need good sleep and no sore throat, headache, fatigue.

What do you use to help keep the symptoms at bay so you can get some much needed rest overnight?
I use a lot of steam, it really helps, especially before bed followed by a hot shower for more lovely steam. I prop myself up and take lots of water to bed with me.

Do you find natural remedies help? What would make you reach for a hot drink remedy?
I guess steam is a natural remedy. I did consider echinacea but didn't get it in the end. Hot drinks are especially comforting and do seem to help. I'd reach for one when I wake up when it's at it's worst and before bed for a comforting solution.

@JustineBMumsnet Morning lovely x Have you notified the winner of this discussion please x