Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCharacteristicsCausesA Lingering CoughAt-Home OptionsIf No ImprovementMedicationsManagement
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Characteristics
Causes
A Lingering Cough
At-Home Options
If No Improvement
Medications
Management
A drycoughfeels like a tickle in the back of your throat. It occurs as a natural reflex wheninflammationor irritation affects your airway. A dry cough is also called a unproductive cough because it does not producephlegmormucus. Symptoms can range from mild to severe.
There are many causes of a dry cough. It often occurs as a result of anupper respiratory infection, such as the common cold or flu. A dry cough usually resolves with the course of the disease. However, a dry cough can also occur from chronic health problems such asasthmaoracid reflux. Treatment of a dry cough depends on the cause.
This article reviews dry cough symptoms, causes, and diagnosis. It also explains treatments and ways to live with a dry cough.
hxyume / Getty Images
Dry Cough Characteristics
A dry, or unproductive, cough is a cough that does not produce phlegm or mucus. Instead, a dry cough typically occurs as a result of inflammation or irritation in your airway.
A dry cough differs from aproductive (wet) cough, which helps to free phlegm or mucus from your lungs so you can breathe better.
Dry cough characteristics include:
Dry Cough Causes
A dry cough can occur for many reasons. In many cases, it can occur as a symptom of an upper respiratory infection such as those that accompany a cold, flu, orCOVID-19. When this is the case, your dry cough typically resolves on its own as your illness improves.
When a dry cough lasts for more than eight weeks, it is considered a chronic cough. Up to 90% of chronic coughs are related to one of the following conditions:
Other less common causes of a chronic dry cough include:
Triggers During Allergy SeasonIf you have seasonal allergies, being exposed to allergens can trigger a dry cough. Common triggers include:Tree, grass, and ragweed pollensWind-pollinated plants and treesMolds that grow quickly in heat and high humidityRagweed pollen
Triggers During Allergy Season
If you have seasonal allergies, being exposed to allergens can trigger a dry cough. Common triggers include:Tree, grass, and ragweed pollensWind-pollinated plants and treesMolds that grow quickly in heat and high humidityRagweed pollen
If you have seasonal allergies, being exposed to allergens can trigger a dry cough. Common triggers include:
Why a Dry Cough Lingers
Since a cough occurs as a symptom of another underlying health problem, the reasons a dry cough lingers are often related to its cause. A dry cough can be classified into one of the following categories based on how long it lingers:
An acute cough typically occurs as a result of a viral or bacterial infection. It may either worsen or improve with the course of the underlying illness, eventually resolving as the infection clears. Acute coughs may also be related to an allergy or asthma flare.
A subacute cough may outlast other symptoms of an infection resulting in prolonged inflammation of your airways. About 60% of subacute coughs resolve on their own.
A chronic cough may be linked to a more serious underlying chronic medical condition such as postnasal drip, asthma, GERD, chronic bronchitis, and treatment with ACE inhibitors. The cough may linger until you receive a proper diagnosis and begin the right treatment.
What Medications Can Cause a Dry Cough?Research indicates that a dry cough can occur as a side effect of the following types of medications:ACE inhibitorsSitagliptinCalcium channel blockersFentanylTopamax (topiramate)LatanoprostPhenytoinCellCept (mycophenolate mofetil, or MMF)Prilosec (omeprazole)Methotrexate
What Medications Can Cause a Dry Cough?
Research indicates that a dry cough can occur as a side effect of the following types of medications:ACE inhibitorsSitagliptinCalcium channel blockersFentanylTopamax (topiramate)LatanoprostPhenytoinCellCept (mycophenolate mofetil, or MMF)Prilosec (omeprazole)Methotrexate
Research indicates that a dry cough can occur as a side effect of the following types of medications:
How to Soothe a Dry Cough at Home
There are manyways to soothe a dry cough at home. However, conclusive research is often lacking, so finding what works for you may require trial and error. While these strategies are unlikely to cure a dry cough, they may help relieve symptoms of hacking and irritation until the cough resolves or an underlying cause is properly treated.
Honey
The natural antimicrobial and wound-healing properties ofraw, unpasteurized honeymake it an effective treatment for dry, raw coughs. To relieve a dry cough, take 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey alone or in warm water or herbal tea to soothe irritation.
Steam
Saltwater Gargle
The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of salt make it effective as a natural remedy for infections. To help reduce the duration of a dry cough and the sore throat it causes, combine one-half teaspoon of salt with 8 ounces of warm water until the salt dissolves and gargle.
Ginger
Gingerhas anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce throat inflammation and irritation. It also contains compounds called gingerols that can help relax airway muscles and relieve coughing. Steep freshly grated ginger root in hot water to make ginger tea or add ginger to other herbal tea blends.
Capsaicin
Thyme
Turmeric
Garlic
Garlic(Allium sativum) has mild antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. While garlic is promoted to boost yourimmune systemand relieve cough associated with the common cold, the evidence is inconclusive.
Hydration
Marshmallow Root
Marshmallow rootis the root of the marshmallow plant. There is evidence that syrups and lozenges made with marshmallow root extract helped relieve mild dry cough, in just 10 minutes.
Slippery Elm
The inner bark of theslippery elmtree contains mucilage, a substance comparable to marshmallow root. Mix slippery elm with water to produce a gel-like substance that coats and protects your throat. It can be used in powder form that’s added to hot water to make tea. Drink a few cups daily.
Licorice Root
Thyme(Thymus vulgaris) contains thymol, a compound believed to have antispasmodic effects that can help relax throat muscles. You can use dried thyme to make a tea that may help relieve a dry cough.
Cough Drops
Cough dropsmay reduce the discomfort of a dry cough and the sore throat it causes. Many cough drops contain menthol, which has a cooling effect. Other ingredients likepeppermint, eucalyptus oil, or honey, may provide some relief from discomfort.
Marjoram
Marjoram (Origanum majorana) is a form oforegano. It has been used in traditional medicine for its reported anti-inflammatory, plant-based compounds (phytochemicals) that may help some types of dry cough. It can be steeped in hot water to make tea.
Holy Basil
Holy basil(Ocimum tenuiflorum), also called tulsi, is a green leafy plant used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes, including reducing inflammation, improving immunity, and treating a dry cough. It can be consumed as a tea or added to steam as an extract.
#17 Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy uses essential oils, or plant extracts, for health benefits. They can be put inside an oil diffuser to diffuse the oils into the air. Some can also be applied directly to your body with a carrier oil.Essential oilsthat may help a dry cough include holy basil, eucalyptus,peppermint, or thyme.
What is an Allergy Cough and How Do I Get Over It?
Dry Cough Not Getting Better
Having a dry cough that is not getting better may indicate the need for treatment to relieve the physical as well as emotional aspects of the problem. The frustration of dealing with a dry cough that lasts longer than three weeks may affect your quality of life and psychological well-being.
Contact your healthcare provider if your cough lasts longer than three weeks or if symptoms worsen despite home treatments. Based on the severity of your symptoms, your healthcare provider may prescribe cough suppressant to provide immediate relief of an acute cough.
Based on your symptoms, physical examination, and medical history, your healthcare provider may use one of the following diagnostic tests to determine the underlying cause of a dry cough that is not improving:
Lung imaging: This may involve achest X-rayorcomputed tomography (CT) scanto examine the internal structure of your chest and lungs.
Spirometry(lung function test): Lung function tests can measure the pattern of airflow into and out of your lungs, which is useful in diagnosing asthma.
Acid reflux testing: Testing for acid reflux involves a pH probe, a test to measure the level of acid in your esophagus. An upperendoscopycan detect irritation of tissue in your esophagus and to obtain abiopsy(tissue sample) of your esophagus, if necessary.
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): This test records your heart’s electrical activity to identify abnormal heart activity, which may indicate heart disease or damage.
CT of the sinuses: This test can help identify sinus disorders that may be contributing to a cough.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While most coughs eventually clear on their own, a dry cough can also be a sign of a severe or worsening medical condition. Consider the following guidelines in determiningwhen to seek medical attention for a dry cough.
Seek medical attention at an urgent care facility or your healthcare provider’s office if your dry cough has any of the following characteristics:
Medications for Dry Cough
There are many over-the-counter and prescription options for treating a dry cough. The type of medication your healthcare provider advises using depends on the cause of your dry cough. Some common medications used for dry cough include the following:
Cough Suppressants
Acough suppressant(antitussive) is advised for a dry, hacking cough. These medications can include:
Postnasal Drip Relief
Cough-Related Asthma Treatment
The standard asthma treatment often includes two types of drugs:
An inhaled corticosteroid to decrease airway inflammation:
An inhaled bronchodilator to open your airways if you have shortness of breath or wheezing:
GERD Treatment
GERD treatment typically the following medications:
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) slow acid production in your stomach. These medications include:
H2 receptor antagonists, orH2 blockers, block the action of histamine, a chemical that triggers the production of stomach acid. These medications include:
Over-the-Counter Cough Medicines: A Complete Guide
Managing Chronic Dry Cough
Treatment can vary widely based on the underlying condition. Based on the cause of your chronic dry cough, treatments may involve medications to address the following problems:
The following lifestyle modifications can support medical treatments for causes of chronic dry cough:
How to Breathe Better With a Dry Cough
Breathing better with a dry cough can often be a challenge at night. Try these strategies to improve your nighttime breathing:
While you can’t always prevent a dry cough, you can take the following steps to build your immune system to potentially reduce the effects of a dry cough if it occurs:
How to Stop a Dry Cough at Night
Summary
In many cases, a dry cough can sound worse than it is. Most dry coughs do not need treatment. They often occur as a symptom of a cold or flu and resolve soon after the disease ends.
However, a chronic dry cough may be a sign of a more serious health condition such as asthma, allergies, or occasionally, lung cancer. While home treatments and medications can treat the cough, they do not cure it.
Knowing the source of your cough can help you manage symptoms. In cases of allergies, an accurate diagnosis can help you avoid allergens and possibly the onset of a dry cough before it starts.
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