How to Care for Your Skin and Lips When You Have a Cold

If you live in Northeast Ohio, you know the drill.  The wind starts blowing off Lake Erie, the furnace kicks on, and suddenly everyone at work is sniffling.

There's no cure for the common cold.  Rest, fluids, and time do most of the work.  But a cold is hard on your skin, too.  Your nose gets raw from tissues, your lips crack from breathing through your mouth, and dry indoor heat makes everything worse.

We're a family beekeeping business in Bedford Heights, just outside Cleveland.  We've made it through plenty of Cleveland winters, and these are the small comforts that help our family feel a little more human while a cold runs its course.

8 ways to care for your skin when you have a cold

1.  Be gentle with a red, raw nose

By day two, the skin around your nose has been wiped a hundred times.  Use soft tissues and pat instead of rubbing.  Then put a thin layer of balm around (not inside) your nostrils to cover the skin.  Our Naked Fragrance-Free Beeswax Lip Balm works well here because it has no added fragrance or flavor.

2.  Keep cracked lips covered

A stuffy nose means breathing through your mouth, even while you sleep.  That dries out your lips fast.  Put on lip balm before bed and every time you wake up.  Try not to lick your lips, which dries them out more.  Our Honey Beeswax Lip Balm is made with beeswax, honey, shea butter, and cupuaçu butter.

3.  Take a warm, steamy shower

A warm shower is one of the simplest ways to feel better when you're stuffed up.  The steam feels good, and you'll feel cleaner after a day on the couch.  Keep the water warm, not hot, since hot water dries out skin.  Our Peppermint Body Wash has a cool, fresh scent that feels great on a sick day.

4.  Moisturize right after you bathe

Cleveland furnace season dries out skin even when you're healthy.  Put on lotion within a few minutes of your shower, while your skin is still a little damp. If your skin is feeling sensitive, choose something fragrance-free, like our Fragrance-Free Honey Hand & Body Cream.

5.  Sip warm tea with honey

Warm drinks help you stay hydrated, and a spoonful of honey can soothe a sore throat.  Cleveland Clinic explains why honey helps a sore throat and cough.  Never give honey to babies under 1 year old.

6.  Wash your hands often, then moisturize

Washing your hands is one of the best ways to keep a cold from spreading to the rest of your family.  All that washing can leave hands dry and cracked, though.  Use a gentle soap like our Peppermint Foaming Hand Soap, then follow with hand cream.

7.  Rest, and make bedtime cozy

Sleep is when your body does its best work.  Make your bedtime routine something you look forward to: a warm shower with Lavender Bergamot Body Wash, a layer of Lavender & Bergamot Hand & Body Cream, and lip balm on your nightstand.

8.  Send a care package to a sick friend

Know someone down for the count?  A little care package goes a long way.  Our Natural Lip Balm Tin Set lets you pick any five flavors.  The Queen Bee Bliss Gift Set pairs body care with honey and tea.

What to skip, and when to call a doctor

A few habits can make sore skin worse while you're sick:

• Rubbing your nose with rough paper towels or napkins
• Licking or picking at chapped lips
• Long, very hot showers
• Heavily scented lotions on raw, irritated skin

Most colds clear up in 7 to 10 days.  Call your doctor if your symptoms get worse, last longer than that, or come with a high fever or trouble breathing.  Call too if the skin around your nose cracks, bleeds, or looks infected.

FAQ

Why does my nose get so red and sore when I have a cold?

Constant wiping rubs away the skin's natural oils, and a runny nose keeps the area wet.  Soft tissues, gentle patting, and a thin layer of balm help protect it.

Can I put lip balm on my nose?

Yes, on the skin around your nostrils, not inside them.  A fragrance-free beeswax balm is a good choice for skin that already feels irritated.

Why are my lips so chapped when I'm sick?

A stuffy nose makes you breathe through your mouth, especially at night.  The constant airflow dries your lips out.  Put on balm before bed and again when you wake up.

Is it OK to give honey to my kids when they have a cold?

Honey is fine for children over 1 year old.  Never give honey to babies under 1.

Why does my skin get so dry in Cleveland winters?

Cold outdoor air holds very little moisture, and furnace heat dries indoor air even more.  Short warm showers, moisturizing right after bathing, and a humidifier can all help.

The Beessential Takeaway

You can't rush a cold, but you can be kinder to your skin while it runs its course.  Pat instead of rubbing, keep your lips and nose covered with balm, and moisturize after every warm shower.  Then rest.  Here in Northeast Ohio, we've learned that a cozy routine makes the long winter a lot easier to get through.

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