First aid when cold starts

Dr. Vikas Sharma MD | August 3, 2008 | 4 Comments

With the change in the weather, the chances of getting an exposure or a cold-related illness have increased considerably. One medicine that works wonders in saving you in the initial stages from any problem that arises out of an exposure to cold is Aconitum napelus, also commonly known as Aconite. Remember to have it in your pocket if you are trying to venture out on an extremely cold day. This medicine is effective only if it is used when the symptoms are just setting in. After the initial stages are over, it hardly gives any relief but is extremely effective in aborting nearly any kind of cold-related illness – common cold, headache, fever, runny nose, sneezing, etc. This can be taken as a preventive measure if you feel you’ve been exposed to a cold air and feel symptoms are bound to come sooner or later.

Take a few shots of aconite 30c and be rest assured that the attack is going to be aborted. If the first stage has just passed by and symptoms have been there for a while and signs of inflammation, heat and redness and swelling have already set in, Belladonna will work very effectively.

Runny nose: For colds with runny nose that starts off when one suddenly gets chilled or is exposed to cold air while being overheated, homoeopathic medicine Arsenic Album will help.

Sore throat: Sore throat in the winters and rattly cough that is very common is very well treated with Hepar Sulph. For throats and tonsils that, after an exposure, usually end up developing severe inflammation, Hepar Sulph is the best choice. Great pain while swallowing or even on touching the throat from outside is the key indication for Hepar Sulph to be prescribed. Coughs that come after an exposure which are of rattly nature and yield yellowish phlegm respond very well to Hepar Sulph.

Headaches: For people who develop headaches after a little bit of exposure, homoeopathic medicine Silicea will solve the problem immediately.

Body pain: For pains that may occur in joints and other parts of the body after an exposure to cold air, few doses of Rhus Tox can be of great help.

Chilblains: Low humidity levels and cold weather lead to the loss of moisture from the skin, resulting in a condition called “xerosis” or chapped skin. The skin becomes dry cracked and itchy. Homoeopathic medicine Petroleum is extremely effective in healing chapped skin and cuts in heels that arise in winters.

Chilblains occur due to an overexposure to cold. Some individuals develop it otherwise also in winter. They form due to the inflammation of the small blood vessels in fingers, toes, tip of ear, nose, etc. The skin gets red swollen and itchy and has a burning sensation which may even progress to form ulcers. Homoeopathic medicine Agaricus leads the table in treating chilblains very effectively.