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" Reader Question: I always get sick after I&amp;#039;ve traveled on a plane. Is there anything I can do to prevent that from happening? Call Response: Many people catch colds in-flight, thanks to spending hours in close proximity to other people who spread their germs by coughing, sneezing or touching things that you touch on board (like food trays or blankets). Being exposed to dry, recirculated air in the cabin may also increase your risk of catching something; lack of humidity causes your mucous membranes to dry out, making them less resistant to bacteria and viruses. My advice: Before you go on a trip, build up your body&amp;#039;s natural defenses by eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise and plenty of sleep. When it&amp;#039;s time to pack, put a small container of alcohol-based hand sanitizer in your quart-sized plastic bag in your carry-on, along with saline eye drops and saline nasal spray. On board, frequently wash your hands (or use sanitizer), stay hydrated by sipping non-caffeinated liquids (preferably water), and use the eye drops and nasal spray whenever your feel your eyes or nose drying out. Reader Question: During the winter I often get cold sores. Do any over-the-counter remedies really work? On Call Response: Yes. Some OTC products, like Abreva, have been proven to help cold sores heal faster. The active ingredient (docosanol) should also protect surrounding skin from becoming infected. That&amp;#039;s a major problem with cold sores\u2014they spread! So if you have one, hands off, or you risk spreading the virus to other parts of your body. Cold sores, also called fever blisters, most often strike when your body is stressed, so don&amp;#039;t be surprised if you get one when you&amp;#039;re under the weather. They&amp;#039;re caused by a strain of the herpes simplex virus (another strain of this virus usually causes genital herpes, but both strains can cause an infection anywhere on the body). If OTC remedies aren&amp;#039;t effective, see your doctor. She may prescribe an antiviral medication that&amp;#039;s FDA-approved for genital herpes but often used off-label to treat cold sores. Reader Question: Once and for all: Will echinacea help to prevent a cold or shorten its duration?  On Call Response: Unfortunately, there&amp;#039;s still no clear answer. Some studies have shown that echinacea can shorten the duration of a cold and reduce its severity by up to 40\u201350 percent. But a recent study in the Annals of Internal Medicine found no difference in cold length or severity among college students who took echinacea compared to those who took a dummy pill. However, preparation might matter: In the study, echinacea was taken in the form of capsules that contained a combination of unrefined root and pieces of the whole echinacea plant; other research has shown that using extracts (rather than whole plant products) might be beneficial. So stay tuned for more research on the subject. E-mail me your questions at dailywd@womansday.com. =&amp;quot;-1&amp;quot;&amp;amp;gt;Disclaimer: Your seeking information on health related topics and/or Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, M.D.&amp;#039;s providing such information herein constitutes neither the solicitation of nor the provision of medical advice, services, care or treatment. Communication with Dr. Fryhofer on this website does not create a doctor/patient relationship. For concerns about your own particular medical condition, you should consult your own medical professional, who can examine and evaluate you. Communication on a website is not a substitute for taking an active role in your own medical care and treatment and being personally seen by a physician of choice in your area. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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