While no one ever wants to be sick, there are some sicknesses that are easier to deal with than others. If you get some kind of infection, it’s easy enough to get an antibiotic from your doctor and begin feeling better in just a short period of time. But for some of the most basic illnesses, like the common cold or the flu, all you can really do is wait it out and treat your symptoms.

So to help you in doing this, and avoiding having to visit the doctor or hospital if at all possible, here are three at-home cold remedies to try before making an appointment with a doctor and getting yourself a large medical bill to deal with. 

Ways To Soothe A Sore Throat

For many people, the first and most annoying symptom that appears when getting a cold is a sore throat. Luckily, there are quite a few things you can try at home to help relieve the pain and scratchiness of a cold-related sore throat.

The staff at the Mayo Clinic shares that some of the best things to try to soothe a sore throat include eating ice chips or sucking on hard candies or lozenges. Each of these things will help to coat your throat and make it so the pain and irritation you feel are lessened. Additionally, you can also try over-the-counter throat sprays that will temporarily numb the area so you don’t feel the pain for a while. 

Take Your Vitamins

When you’re feeling sick with a cold, you might also find yourself losing your appetite or eating foods that are convenient rather than good for you. And while this might make you feel better emotionally, these things won’t help you body recuperate any quicker.

So if you’re finding it hard to eat foods that are healthy for your body, Beth Sissons, a contributor to Medical News Today, suggests that you at least take your vitamins so that you’re getting the substances your body needs to fight the cold you’re stuck with. The most important vitamins you should be taking when you’re sick are vitamins C and D, which can boost your immune system and make it harder for you to catch future colds. 

Use Saline/Salt Water

Another at-home remedy that can make you feel better without having to go to the doctor is to take advantage of saline or salt water solutions.

According to Carol DerSarkissian, a contributor to WebMD, you can use saline or salt water both to loosen the mucus in your sinuses as well as soothe your throat. By squirting a little up your nose and gargling some in your throat, you may be able to feel a lot of relief. 

If you get a cold and don’t want to visit the doctor on the chance that there’s nothing he or she can do, make sure you try some of these at-home remedies.