As the “ber” months roll in and temperatures drop, we’re on the cusp of the dreaded cold and flu season.
Nobody relishes the thought of falling sick during this time but, fear not, as a savvy woman shared a nifty trick that could be a game-changer for your health. For those plagued by persistent blocked noses, this straightforward hack might just be your saviour.
The TikTok user, who goes by the handle @lalifehacks, credits a pharmacist for the ingenious method, touting it as an ideal remedy for the Covid, cold and flu season to help you avoid prolonged congestion.
Astonishingly, one simple product could be the key to warding off the common cold and keeping illness at bay. In her viral video, she explains all it takes is some VapoRub dissolved in a cup of hot water.
Next, soak cotton wool pads in the solution, ensuring they’re fully saturated. Then, evenly distribute the mixture onto the pads, and place them in a small plastic bag and refrigerate.
Once cool, you can use the pads to rub onto your wrists, and voila! You’ve created your very own portable decongestants, ready to use whenever you need a quick fix to clear a stuffy nose.
The clip racked up over 160,000 views, with social media users applauding the tip as “awesome”. Comments poured in, with one viewer remarking: “Great.”
Another was keen on the idea, saying: “I like the idea of putting Vick in the hot water bowl.” Some individuals were sceptical about the concept though, as they were somewhat baffled by it.
One person quipped: “Or wait, hear me out, what about you just rub the Vapo rub onto your skin?” Another was equally bemused, asking: “All this when you can just rub the Vicks straight there.”
For those battling congestion, the NHS offers a variety of solutions to tackle the issue. One approach is using decongestants, which are medicines designed to provide temporary relief for nasal blockages or stuffiness.
These medications aim to alleviate symptoms associated with common colds, influenza, hay fever, other allergies, catarrh and sinusitis. They function by reducing the swelling in the nasal blood vessels, thereby clearing the airways.
Available in numerous forms such as nasal sprays, drops, pills, liquids, syrups and even flavoured powders that dissolve in hot water, decongestants sometimes come alone or in combination with painkillers or antihistamines in “all-in-one” remedies.
Most of these treatments can be easily obtained over-the-counter at local pharmacies without needing a prescription.