Survival Kit: Colds

So I have been struck down with an almighty cold this past week/weekend and its continued the lag ends of it into this week. I hate having a cold, they always affect me so much and make me feel horrible. Aside from throwing up, having a cold is one of my most dreaded and hated things my body can inflict on me. I don't know if its just me but as I've got older, my colds seem to be worse. This could either be because I'm getting so run down with day to day life or colds have become more infectious and harder to fight in recent years. I had colds as a child and teenager, but never remember them knocking me for six like they do now.

I probably have fewer colds as an adult, which could be why they are worse when they do rear their ugly head. I would say I have 2-3 very bad ones per year, and usually follow a very stressful time. I had a terrible one over Christmas, my world has been turned upside down at the end of November so I did well to resist illness so long. May was my next hit and stupidly I went back to work too early and had to take two more days off the following week.

I love wikipedia for finding out all sorts of facts and I found the common cold page quite interesting, geek much! I loved anatomy and physiology at A Level and I guess I still like learning all the ins and outs, link.

I never used to know how to deal with my colds, often suffering until one day I got sent home from work in a  state of lovely full on cold, with strict orders to stop by Boots or Superdrug to get cold and flu tablets along with any type of throat lozenge (I think I had virtually lost my voice with this one). I was so overwhelmed with the abundence of products in the aisle for colds, not a clue what they all were and which was best or would help.

Its only in the past year or so, I have a stock in my house of products I know work for me that I turn to everytime to ease the symptoms of a cold.

 l-r, clockwise, Jakeman's Throat & Chest sweets, mansize Kleenex, Strepsils Cool, Kleenex pocket tissues, Vicks Vaborub, Vicks Nasal stick, Olbus oil, Aloe Vera Vaseline, Cold & Flu tablets 

 Tissues are always a necessity during colds to help nasal congestion. This is usually one of the worst symptoms for me and this time in particular I was blocked up for three days and no matter how much my nose ran, I blew it or I deeply inhaled decongestant I couldn't clear it. 

 I've always sworn by Strepsils Cool, they instantly stop me coughing and soothe my throat. I find coughs get much worse the more you cough so the key is to stop it, easier said than done. I found the Jakemans sweets in the cupboard at the weekend and in desperation gave them a whirl. I was amazed at how much they eased my sore throat and made me feel better. These are a bargain at about 60p a bag and the sweets are massive too so last a while. 

I'm not entirely sure I think these work...but I always take them. They help with a headache and I think the caffeine is useful as I don't drink tea or coffee and colds zap your energy. Alternatively my boyfriend suggested Anadin, they contain much more caffeine and there are different varieties. 

This is the best for soothing a sore nose, I managed to avoid a flaky, dry nose with this cold which is amazing considering how much I was blowing my nose over several days. I applied this regularly and one morning my top lip had cracked and it was fine by the afternoon. 

Olbus oil is the strongest product to help you breathe, and I adore the smell. I smothered myself in VapoRub   but could only smell it for about five minutes, but this is probably due to being so blocked up. This really helped at night when on my neck and chest, as I slept propped up and the fumes were coming up to my nose. The Vicks stick is my favourite product. One night I was awake until 4am, everytime I almost fell asleep I'd be awake again unable to breathe. I dug this out and laid back with it in. Before I knew it I was awake with the smell burning my eyes, nose and mouth. I would not recommend this at all. But for helping you breathe when awake you can't go wrong. 

This is one product I would not recommend at all. I used this at Christmas when I fell ill and it only prolonged my cold and made me feel worse. Plus it is the vilest thing I'd ever had the displeasure to drink. I don't think I can ever even consider putting myself through another sachet of this stuff. 

Two weeks on I'm still sniffly and tired, but over the worst. Everyone seems to be struck down with colds and coughs at the moment, and this cold certainly seems to be one of the worst I've ever had. 

What are your best ways to ease a cold? 

Sunday Summary #18

Sorry this post is a day late. Had today off work, as I just couldn't go in. Lost my voice and feel absolutely rotten. Its been another quiet week, lots of family stuff going on so just been working and being at home. My auntie and Nana have just been told by my Mum about my tattoo. I'd kept it hidden til now as they aren't the sort to approve, like my Nana went mad when my auntie got my cousins ears pierced and she got her second hole done, but both were remarkably fine about it. Just like my Mum they've said as long as I'm not covered they're fine with it, and less is more. I booked my second tattoo this week too, my artist is very popular and gets booked up very fast. Take into account some work can take most of the day, his diary quickly fills up. I'm getting a swallow done on my ankle, he helped me pick a design and I'm really excited to get it done now. Slightly worried about the bone, but like my wrist its the same sort of area and its worth it to get it done. Discovered I may actually be allergic to red onion yesterday. It's always given me a really sore throat and I bought a sandwich in town. I was meeting my boy for lunch and it never even occurred to me until I took a bite and discovered a massive slice of red onion. It was too late then and I just assumed I'd have the usual sore throat. By about four my throat was absolute agony, felt like I was swallowing knives and nothing would soothe it. I tried antihistamines, mints, mouth wash, brushing my teeth, fruit juice, fizzy drink, squash, food, sweets, chewing gum, everything I could think of. I was up most of the night as every time I swallowed as I fell asleep the pain woke me up. Couldn't wait for my alarm just so I could try a hot mug of tea but I was so tired I fell asleep after my alarm. Somehow got ready in just over half an hour, absolute record time! I can't believe I didn't think about checking my sandwich, I always check salads in restaurants and pick it out because I know the pain isn't worth it.
Had Chinese Thursday night which was so good. I love it so much more when I haven't had it in a while. Several online orders arrived this week but I will blog separately as some exciting bits to show. Had a wonderful Sunday with my boyfriend. We won a little bit on the EuroMillions this week so treated ourselves to a pub breakfast, a little shop in town and then back to his for roast with his parents and chilling. I was uber attractive falling asleep in his bed with the Vicks stick up my nose. I'd kept us both up Saturday night as I couldn't breathe and as I didn't sleep Friday night either I was shattered. His Mum is also poorly and had kept him awake Friday night. I've been in bed all day and my voice has returned just a very sore throat, a mans voice and a wheezy chest. I always get ill in May, I get hayfever really bad and am convinced it is linked somehow.

Topshop order. Superdrug order (part of). Primark purchases. Maxi dress, alternative colours. George earrings. Primark blouse. Bite and sting cream. Red hair. Dixie with my Dorothy Perkins order. New bedsheets from my Mum. New, unusued toiletries. Topshop order. Vicks to help me breathe. 

My Superdrug order actually came in two boxes and I haven't photographed all of it as half was for my boy. I got him a suncream for his holiday to Spain in June, deodorant and body spray, a present (which I can't say because he reads this haha) and some toiletry bits for me. I finally got my hands on the Lynx for Her. Like an idiot I let the spray pass me by, even though my brothers girlfriend bought one and let me smell it. Then someone at work had it and once the smell has settled its a gorgeous fresh watermelon. Cue me on a mad hunt everywhere to find it. Of course being limited editon and coming out about 3 months ago, its not to be found. I randomly googled it while I was picking my Superdrug order and it came up as being half price on their website. I had to force myself to change the basket quantity from 4 to 2 though...

Really annoyed as I found a biker jacket on Dorothy Perkins website that they didn't have in my local store. Avon had sent me a 25% discount card so I waited until I could use it online and ordered the jacket. I was gutted to receive it and find its a fabric jacket not as I imagined pleather. To be honest I don't want to pay £38 for a bit of fabric, I've now ordered a proper pleather biker jacket from Miss Selfridge online. Loving the collect+ system for returning online orders, coming in very handy recently especially as I particularly detest using the Post Office = sorted! Bought hardly any clothes this week, which is very good as I am bursting with clothes. My Mum is donating the top third of her wardrobe to me so I can store winter things in there and then switch for summer items as necessary. Had a re-shuffle of where I store certain clothes and happy with how I've organised it. Even managed to have a massive bag of clothes to donate to charity. Dyed my hair red again which I am loving. Pretty sure I last did it in October which is so long ago. I'm going to try to go a brighter red for my next time. I dream of going peroxide blonde and then red, but it would probably destroy my hair so much more than just my red dye job. 

I am off work next week YES so I'm hoping I can be well for that. Hoping for nice weather so me and the boy can make little trips in the sunshine instead of rain. Plus I am absolutely desperate for a seaside visit. 

Hope you've all had good weeks,