Can I apply a facial mask when I have a cold

Many people do not pay special attention to colds and continue to engage in various activities even if they have a cold. In fact, many things are not suitable to be done when you have a cold, because they are likely to make the cold worse, and in serious cases may even harm your body. Especially for girls, applying facial mask is a very common thing. So, can you apply a facial mask when you have a cold?

Cold, the "cold" that people often talk about actually refers to two diseases, namely the "common cold" and "influenza". Generally, what we call is the common cold. Although the common cold is more common in early winter, it can occur in any season, such as spring and summer, and the pathogenic viruses of colds in different seasons are not exactly the same.

It is best to avoid using a facial mask when you have a cold. Facial masks are generally very cold, and alternating hot and cold temperatures may aggravate the symptoms of a cold, so you should treat your cold first before using a facial mask.

What methods are available to treat colds?

Since colds affect daily life, patients are advised to actively seek treatment if they catch a cold. Generally speaking, colds can be treated in the following ways:

1. Symptomatic treatment.

(1) Rest. Those with serious illnesses or the elderly and frail should rest in bed, avoid smoking, drink plenty of water, and keep the room well ventilated.

(2) Antipyretic and analgesic. If you have symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, etc., you can choose antipyretic and analgesic drugs. Various lozenges can be used for sore throat.

(3) Decongestants. When the nose is blocked and the nasal mucosa is congested and edematous, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride or 1% ephedrine nasal drops can be used.

(4) Antihistamines. When you have a cold, your nasal mucosa often becomes more sensitive, causing frequent sneezing and runny nose. You can use antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine maleate or diphenhydramine.

(5) Antitussives. For those with more obvious cough symptoms, antitussive drugs such as dextromethorphan and pentoxyverine can be given.

2. Treatment of the cause.

(1) Antimicrobial treatment. There is no need to use antibacterial drugs for simple viral infections. When there is evidence of bacterial infection such as elevated white blood cell count, pharyngeal pus, and cough with yellow sputum, penicillin, first-generation cephalosporins, macrolides, or quinolones may be used as appropriate.

(2) Antiviral drug treatment. There is currently no effective antiviral drug, and the misuse of antiviral drugs can cause influenza virus resistance. Therefore, if there is no fever, normal immune function, and the patient has been ill for more than two days, it is generally not necessary to use it. It can be used routinely in the early stages in immunocompromised patients. The broad-spectrum antiviral drugs ribavirin and oseltamivir have a strong inhibitory effect on influenza virus, parainfluenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus, and can shorten the course of the disease.

3. Treatment with traditional Chinese medicine: Traditional Chinese medicine with heat-clearing, detoxifying and antiviral effects can also be used, which helps to improve symptoms and shorten the course of the disease.

4. Food therapy.

(1) Mulberry leaf and loquat porridge: 18 grams of mulberry leaves, 10 grams of loquat leaves, 100 grams of sugar cane, 30 grams of raw imperata root, 6 grams of mint, and 60 grams of rice. Wash and chop the above medicines, add appropriate amount of water, boil and extract the juice, add in glutinous rice and cook until the rice porridge becomes thick, and take it while hot. Take 1 dose daily for 3 consecutive days.

(2) Patchouli Leaf Porridge: Boil 20g of fresh Patchouli Leaves into a decoction for later use. First cook porridge with 100 grams of polished rice, add the fried patchouli and boil it to make patchouli porridge. Take it twice a day.