Always, always, always keep Vicks VapoRub on hand. I use this pretty much whenever I'm sick. Thing is, I don't like to get it all over my skin, so what I do is I spread a thick layer out on a wash cloth and then lay the cloth over my chest. No mess and you can breath easier.
Also, make sure to put extra moisturizer on. Colds (and all the decongestants that we use along with them) really dry out your skin. Pay close attention to the area around your nose. It's the first to go with all that wiping!