Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentWhen to See a ProviderPrevention

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

Causes

Treatment

When to See a Provider

Prevention

An allergy cough happens when you breathe in a substance (allergen) that your immune system recognizes as dangerous, though it’s not. Tree and grass pollen, pet dander, dust mites, or mold are just a fewallergensthat can cause an allergy cough.

The cough is typicallydry and non-productive, meaning it doesn’t bring up mucus. It is sometimes described as having a “barking” or “hacking” sound. An allergy cough will last until it’s treated or you remove the allergen that triggered it.

Treatment of Allergy Cough - Illustration by Theresa Chiechi

Generally speaking, an allergy-related cough does not bring up mucus or phlegm.In some people, the cough can become chronic and last for several weeks.

Allergy coughs can sometimes be hard to tell from conditions like asthma or anupper respiratory tract infection. An allergy can also set offasthma, which can cause a cough and trouble breathing. You may experience:

With infections like the flu orCOVID-19, you are more likely to have other symptoms along with a cough, such as fever, chill, and body or muscle aches. You could also have symptoms likeloss of taste or smellas well as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if you have COVID.

Some allergens that can cause allergy symptoms, including allergy cough, include:

When you’re exposed to an allergen, your immune system makesimmunoglobulin E (IgE). This substance sets off a chain reaction that starts with immune cells (mast cells and basophils) breaking open and releasing the chemicalhistamineinto the bloodstream.

An allergy-related cough happens when that mucus drains from your nose and down the back of your throat (postnasal drip). The drainage can make your throat itch or tickle, which triggers coughing.

Allergy Medications That Cause Coughs

Antihistamines can have a drying effect and can leave the throat feeling scratchy, which can make you cough. This cough is generally mild and will go away when you stop treatment.

Antihistamines and Allergy CoughOlder antihistamines likeBenadryl(diphenhydramine) may be better at treating a cough but they are more likely to make you drowsy.Newer antihistamines like Claritin (loratidine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine) don’t cause drowsiness but may not be as helpful with allergy cough symptoms. Research continues into how specific medications might be effective in treating cough.

Antihistamines and Allergy Cough

Older antihistamines likeBenadryl(diphenhydramine) may be better at treating a cough but they are more likely to make you drowsy.Newer antihistamines like Claritin (loratidine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine) don’t cause drowsiness but may not be as helpful with allergy cough symptoms. Research continues into how specific medications might be effective in treating cough.

How to Treat an Allergy Cough

Healthcare providers usually suggest starting with oral antihistamines to help with allergy symptoms. They are considered a “first-line” treatment.You may also find some relief with certain natural remedies, though research is limited.

Over-the-Counter Options

If you need allergy symptom relief during the day, second-generation antihistamines are usually preferred because they are less likely to cause drowsiness.

Other over-the-counter (OTC) options can also help you treat an allergy cough at home:

Treating a Nighttime Allergy CoughIf your allergy cough is keeping you up at night, try taking a first-generation antihistamine like Benadryl before you go to bed. In this case, the side effect of drowsiness works in your favor.

Treating a Nighttime Allergy Cough

If your allergy cough is keeping you up at night, try taking a first-generation antihistamine like Benadryl before you go to bed. In this case, the side effect of drowsiness works in your favor.

Natural Allergy Cough Treatments

Here are a fewnatural treatments for dry coughsthat may help with allergy coughs. Many are available as teas, which can be warm and soothing:

Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about over-the-counter products, supplements, and natural treatments you use to relieve allergy cough symptoms.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.

Environmental Factors

At-home remedies can include lifestyle changes and simple interventions, such as:

When to See a Healthcare Provider

A cough from allergies is not usually a serious threat to your health, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to deal with. Allergy symptoms can interfere with your daily life and may even keep you from getting enough sleep.

If you’re avoiding allergens and using OTC treatments but it doesn’t help, see your healthcare provider or anallergist, a specialist that can test for allergen sensitivity.

Two tests that are commonly used todiagnose allergiesinclude:

An allergist can also determine if your cough is related toallergic rhinitis (hay fever)or asthma and help you find the right treatment(s) to ease your symptoms. You might even be able to get long-term relief with a treatment likeallergy shots.

When to Call 911Coughing and trouble breathing can be signs of a whole-body allergic reaction calledanaphylaxis.If left untreated, anaphylaxis is potentially life-threatening and can lead to respiratory or heart failure, and death. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you experience:Shortness of breathWheezingA sudden outbreak of hives or rashFeeling fainting or lightheadedSudden, severe diarrheaNausea or vomitingRapid or irregular heartbeatSwelling of the face, neck, or throatA feeling of impending doom

When to Call 911

Coughing and trouble breathing can be signs of a whole-body allergic reaction calledanaphylaxis.If left untreated, anaphylaxis is potentially life-threatening and can lead to respiratory or heart failure, and death. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you experience:Shortness of breathWheezingA sudden outbreak of hives or rashFeeling fainting or lightheadedSudden, severe diarrheaNausea or vomitingRapid or irregular heartbeatSwelling of the face, neck, or throatA feeling of impending doom

Coughing and trouble breathing can be signs of a whole-body allergic reaction calledanaphylaxis.If left untreated, anaphylaxis is potentially life-threatening and can lead to respiratory or heart failure, and death. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you experience:

You can’t always avoid allergies, but there are a few steps you can take to try to reduce your exposure to the allergens that trigger coughing and other symptoms:

Summary

Allergy coughs can be treated with OTC antihistamines, expectorants, decongestants, nasal irrigation, and steam inhalation.

If you have frequent or severe allergies, a visit to an allergist could be useful because you’ll learn which allergens are causing your symptoms or if another condition is to blame instead.

23 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Cough.Nakashima C, Kato M, Otsuka A.Cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination.J Dermatol. 2023 Mar;50(3):280-289. doi:10.1111/1346-8138.16651.Song W-J, Hui CKM, Hull JH,et al.Confronting Covid-19 Associated Cough and the Post-Covid Syndrome: Role of Viral Neurotropism, Neuroinflammation and Neuroimmune Responses.The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. 2021;9(5):533-544. doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(21)00125-9American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Pollen food allergy syndrome.Matsumura K, Hamazaki K, Tsuchida A, Inadera H,The Japan Environment And Children’s Study Jecs Group. House Dust Avoidance during Pregnancy and Subsequent Infant Development: The Japan Environment and Children’s Study.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Apr 17;18(8):4277. doi:10.3390/ijerph18084277.American Lung Association.What Is Pet Dander?Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Mold allergy.Bjermer L, Westman M, Holmstrom M, Wickman MC.The complex pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis: scientific rationale for the development of an alternative treatment option.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol.2019;15:24. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0314-1Lee JH, Oh JY, Kwon HS, Kim TB, Cho YS, Song WJ.Effects of bepotastine, a nonsedating H1-antihistamine, for the treatment of persistent cough and allergic rhinitis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.ERJ Open Res. 2023 Oct 2;9(5):00448-2023. doi: 10.1183/23120541.00448-2023.Harvard Health Publishing.No coughing matter.Lee JH, Lee JW, An J, Won HK, Park SY, Lee JH,et al.Efficacy of non-sedating H1-receptor antihistamines in adults and adolescents with chronic cough: A systematic review.World Allergy Organ J. 2021 Jul 21;14(8):100568. doi: 10.1016/j.waojou.2021.100568.May JR, Dolen WK.Management of allergic rhinitis: a review for the community pharmacist.Clin Ther. 2017;39(12):2410-9. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2017.10.006Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy treatment.Oduwole O, Udoh EE, Oyo-ita A, Meremikwu MM.Honey for acute cough in children.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;4:CD007094. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007094.pub5Bina F, Rahimi R.Sweet marjoram: a review of ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and biological activities.J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(1):175-85. doi:10.1177/2156587216650793Fink C, Schmidt M, Kraft K.Marshmallow root extract for the treatment of irritative cough: Two surveys on users' view on effectiveness and tolerability.Complement Med Res.2018;25(5):299-305. doi:10.1159/000489560Xue Q, Zou M, Guo J, Teng Q, Zhang Q, Sheng L,et al.Detection and assessment of dust mite allergens in an indoor environment in Anhui, China.Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2023 Jan;30(2):3045-3055. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-22395-0.Li W, Long C, Fan T, Anneser E, Chien J, Goodman JE.Gas cooking and respiratory outcomes in children: A systematic review.Glob Epidemiol. 2023 Apr 17;5:100107. doi: 10.1016/j.gloepi.2023.100107.Pan H, Jarvis D, Potts J, Casas L, Nowak D, Heinrich J,et al.Gas cooking indoors and respiratory symptoms in the ECRHS cohort.Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2024 Mar;256:114310. doi:10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114310.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.All About Allergy Testing.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Anaphylaxis.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Pollen allergy.American Lung Association.Dust mites.

23 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Cough.Nakashima C, Kato M, Otsuka A.Cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination.J Dermatol. 2023 Mar;50(3):280-289. doi:10.1111/1346-8138.16651.Song W-J, Hui CKM, Hull JH,et al.Confronting Covid-19 Associated Cough and the Post-Covid Syndrome: Role of Viral Neurotropism, Neuroinflammation and Neuroimmune Responses.The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. 2021;9(5):533-544. doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(21)00125-9American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Pollen food allergy syndrome.Matsumura K, Hamazaki K, Tsuchida A, Inadera H,The Japan Environment And Children’s Study Jecs Group. House Dust Avoidance during Pregnancy and Subsequent Infant Development: The Japan Environment and Children’s Study.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Apr 17;18(8):4277. doi:10.3390/ijerph18084277.American Lung Association.What Is Pet Dander?Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Mold allergy.Bjermer L, Westman M, Holmstrom M, Wickman MC.The complex pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis: scientific rationale for the development of an alternative treatment option.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol.2019;15:24. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0314-1Lee JH, Oh JY, Kwon HS, Kim TB, Cho YS, Song WJ.Effects of bepotastine, a nonsedating H1-antihistamine, for the treatment of persistent cough and allergic rhinitis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.ERJ Open Res. 2023 Oct 2;9(5):00448-2023. doi: 10.1183/23120541.00448-2023.Harvard Health Publishing.No coughing matter.Lee JH, Lee JW, An J, Won HK, Park SY, Lee JH,et al.Efficacy of non-sedating H1-receptor antihistamines in adults and adolescents with chronic cough: A systematic review.World Allergy Organ J. 2021 Jul 21;14(8):100568. doi: 10.1016/j.waojou.2021.100568.May JR, Dolen WK.Management of allergic rhinitis: a review for the community pharmacist.Clin Ther. 2017;39(12):2410-9. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2017.10.006Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy treatment.Oduwole O, Udoh EE, Oyo-ita A, Meremikwu MM.Honey for acute cough in children.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;4:CD007094. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007094.pub5Bina F, Rahimi R.Sweet marjoram: a review of ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and biological activities.J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(1):175-85. doi:10.1177/2156587216650793Fink C, Schmidt M, Kraft K.Marshmallow root extract for the treatment of irritative cough: Two surveys on users' view on effectiveness and tolerability.Complement Med Res.2018;25(5):299-305. doi:10.1159/000489560Xue Q, Zou M, Guo J, Teng Q, Zhang Q, Sheng L,et al.Detection and assessment of dust mite allergens in an indoor environment in Anhui, China.Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2023 Jan;30(2):3045-3055. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-22395-0.Li W, Long C, Fan T, Anneser E, Chien J, Goodman JE.Gas cooking and respiratory outcomes in children: A systematic review.Glob Epidemiol. 2023 Apr 17;5:100107. doi: 10.1016/j.gloepi.2023.100107.Pan H, Jarvis D, Potts J, Casas L, Nowak D, Heinrich J,et al.Gas cooking indoors and respiratory symptoms in the ECRHS cohort.Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2024 Mar;256:114310. doi:10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114310.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.All About Allergy Testing.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Anaphylaxis.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Pollen allergy.American Lung Association.Dust mites.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Cough.Nakashima C, Kato M, Otsuka A.Cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination.J Dermatol. 2023 Mar;50(3):280-289. doi:10.1111/1346-8138.16651.Song W-J, Hui CKM, Hull JH,et al.Confronting Covid-19 Associated Cough and the Post-Covid Syndrome: Role of Viral Neurotropism, Neuroinflammation and Neuroimmune Responses.The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. 2021;9(5):533-544. doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(21)00125-9American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Pollen food allergy syndrome.Matsumura K, Hamazaki K, Tsuchida A, Inadera H,The Japan Environment And Children’s Study Jecs Group. House Dust Avoidance during Pregnancy and Subsequent Infant Development: The Japan Environment and Children’s Study.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Apr 17;18(8):4277. doi:10.3390/ijerph18084277.American Lung Association.What Is Pet Dander?Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Mold allergy.Bjermer L, Westman M, Holmstrom M, Wickman MC.The complex pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis: scientific rationale for the development of an alternative treatment option.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol.2019;15:24. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0314-1Lee JH, Oh JY, Kwon HS, Kim TB, Cho YS, Song WJ.Effects of bepotastine, a nonsedating H1-antihistamine, for the treatment of persistent cough and allergic rhinitis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.ERJ Open Res. 2023 Oct 2;9(5):00448-2023. doi: 10.1183/23120541.00448-2023.Harvard Health Publishing.No coughing matter.Lee JH, Lee JW, An J, Won HK, Park SY, Lee JH,et al.Efficacy of non-sedating H1-receptor antihistamines in adults and adolescents with chronic cough: A systematic review.World Allergy Organ J. 2021 Jul 21;14(8):100568. doi: 10.1016/j.waojou.2021.100568.May JR, Dolen WK.Management of allergic rhinitis: a review for the community pharmacist.Clin Ther. 2017;39(12):2410-9. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2017.10.006Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy treatment.Oduwole O, Udoh EE, Oyo-ita A, Meremikwu MM.Honey for acute cough in children.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;4:CD007094. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007094.pub5Bina F, Rahimi R.Sweet marjoram: a review of ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and biological activities.J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(1):175-85. doi:10.1177/2156587216650793Fink C, Schmidt M, Kraft K.Marshmallow root extract for the treatment of irritative cough: Two surveys on users' view on effectiveness and tolerability.Complement Med Res.2018;25(5):299-305. doi:10.1159/000489560Xue Q, Zou M, Guo J, Teng Q, Zhang Q, Sheng L,et al.Detection and assessment of dust mite allergens in an indoor environment in Anhui, China.Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2023 Jan;30(2):3045-3055. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-22395-0.Li W, Long C, Fan T, Anneser E, Chien J, Goodman JE.Gas cooking and respiratory outcomes in children: A systematic review.Glob Epidemiol. 2023 Apr 17;5:100107. doi: 10.1016/j.gloepi.2023.100107.Pan H, Jarvis D, Potts J, Casas L, Nowak D, Heinrich J,et al.Gas cooking indoors and respiratory symptoms in the ECRHS cohort.Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2024 Mar;256:114310. doi:10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114310.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.All About Allergy Testing.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Anaphylaxis.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Pollen allergy.American Lung Association.Dust mites.

American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Cough.

Nakashima C, Kato M, Otsuka A.Cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination.J Dermatol. 2023 Mar;50(3):280-289. doi:10.1111/1346-8138.16651.

Song W-J, Hui CKM, Hull JH,et al.Confronting Covid-19 Associated Cough and the Post-Covid Syndrome: Role of Viral Neurotropism, Neuroinflammation and Neuroimmune Responses.The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. 2021;9(5):533-544. doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(21)00125-9

American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Pollen food allergy syndrome.

Matsumura K, Hamazaki K, Tsuchida A, Inadera H,The Japan Environment And Children’s Study Jecs Group. House Dust Avoidance during Pregnancy and Subsequent Infant Development: The Japan Environment and Children’s Study.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Apr 17;18(8):4277. doi:10.3390/ijerph18084277.

American Lung Association.What Is Pet Dander?

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Mold allergy.

Bjermer L, Westman M, Holmstrom M, Wickman MC.The complex pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis: scientific rationale for the development of an alternative treatment option.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol.2019;15:24. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0314-1

Lee JH, Oh JY, Kwon HS, Kim TB, Cho YS, Song WJ.Effects of bepotastine, a nonsedating H1-antihistamine, for the treatment of persistent cough and allergic rhinitis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.ERJ Open Res. 2023 Oct 2;9(5):00448-2023. doi: 10.1183/23120541.00448-2023.

Harvard Health Publishing.No coughing matter.

Lee JH, Lee JW, An J, Won HK, Park SY, Lee JH,et al.Efficacy of non-sedating H1-receptor antihistamines in adults and adolescents with chronic cough: A systematic review.World Allergy Organ J. 2021 Jul 21;14(8):100568. doi: 10.1016/j.waojou.2021.100568.

May JR, Dolen WK.Management of allergic rhinitis: a review for the community pharmacist.Clin Ther. 2017;39(12):2410-9. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2017.10.006

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy treatment.

Oduwole O, Udoh EE, Oyo-ita A, Meremikwu MM.Honey for acute cough in children.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;4:CD007094. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007094.pub5

Bina F, Rahimi R.Sweet marjoram: a review of ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and biological activities.J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(1):175-85. doi:10.1177/2156587216650793

Fink C, Schmidt M, Kraft K.Marshmallow root extract for the treatment of irritative cough: Two surveys on users' view on effectiveness and tolerability.Complement Med Res.2018;25(5):299-305. doi:10.1159/000489560

Xue Q, Zou M, Guo J, Teng Q, Zhang Q, Sheng L,et al.Detection and assessment of dust mite allergens in an indoor environment in Anhui, China.Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2023 Jan;30(2):3045-3055. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-22395-0.

Li W, Long C, Fan T, Anneser E, Chien J, Goodman JE.Gas cooking and respiratory outcomes in children: A systematic review.Glob Epidemiol. 2023 Apr 17;5:100107. doi: 10.1016/j.gloepi.2023.100107.

Pan H, Jarvis D, Potts J, Casas L, Nowak D, Heinrich J,et al.Gas cooking indoors and respiratory symptoms in the ECRHS cohort.Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2024 Mar;256:114310. doi:10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114310.

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.All About Allergy Testing.

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Anaphylaxis.

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Pollen allergy.

American Lung Association.Dust mites.

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