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 There is no known cure for common cold, and medications used to treat a cold will only lessen the symptoms. There are many over-the-counter medications that are safe for women to use during pregnancy but non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and nasal sprays are best avoided. However, many women who are pregnant and have a head cold prefer to avoid the use of any medications.

Here are some home remedies for a head cold during pregnancy that will provide relief from the symptoms.

• Conserve your energy and get plenty of bed rest.

• Keep yourself well hydrated by drinking enough water and fresh fruit juices throughout the day. This will help to thin out the mucus secretions and relieve symptoms of congestion.

• Eat plenty of citrus fruits. The vitamin C content in citrus fruits will help to bolster your immune system making it easier for your body to fight off the viral infection.

• Chicken broth is an excellent home remedy for a head cold, especially when you are faced with a loss of appetite.

• Take a prenatal multivitamin that contains a large percentage of the recommended daily allowance of vitamins A, B complex, C, E and zinc. These vitamins and minerals will help bolster your immune system making it easier for your body to fight off the viral infection.

• Use a humidifier in your room and avoid being in a dry environment such as an air-conditioned room for long periods of time.

• Steam inhalation is an effective way to open up those clogged nasal passages and relieve congestion. Boil a pot of water and place your head over it, inhaling the vapors as they rise.  Put a towel over your head and the pot, so as to trap the vapors and take deep breaths. Continue this as long as you can, removing the towel periodically if it gets too stuffy. This will help clear the congestion in your nose, throat and chest. For increased effectiveness, you could mix some eucalyptus oil in the water.

• Have two to three hot showers every day. Inhaling the steam from the hot shower will help to relieve congestion.

• Drink a glass of hot water to which has been added some lemon juice and honey. Honey has remarkable curative powers and along with the vitamin C in lemon juice will help speed your recovery.

• Use saline drops to keep your nasal passages clear.

If your cold persists for too long or if the symptoms become too severe then you should consult your doctor.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

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