Several remedies are available to reduce cold symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose, watery eyes and coughing. These include various over-the-counter medications and self-care techniques.

Medications that may be used to relieve symptoms of the common cold include:

• Decongestants. People with a stuffy nose may find relief by using an oral or nasal decongestant.
  
  
• Pain relief medications (analgesics). These can help reduce some of the symptoms associated with the common cold, include aches, pain and fever.
  
  
• Cough suppressants. Although some people use these medications to control or prevent coughing, experts generally advise against using them. Cough suppressants may prevent mucus from being expelled from the body.
  
  
• Expectorants. People with congestion may use these drugs to thin mucus.
  
  
• Antihistamines. Severe symptoms of a runny nose and watery eyes may be treated with antihistamines.

There are many other techniques that people can use aside from drugs to reduce symptoms associated with colds. For example, people with colds are urged to drink plenty of the right types of liquids (e.g., water, juice, clear broth, warm lemon water). People with colds also are urged to avoid smoking and to stay away from others while they smoke.

Other techniques for relieving cold symptoms include humidifying the air in the home, using saline nose drops or saltwater spray, and gargling with saltwater.