Knowing how to relieve a dry cough is important for reducing the discomfort it can cause.
A dry cough is a type of cough that doesn’t produce phlegm or mucus, unlike a productive cough, which is associated with the expulsion of secretions.
A dry cough is often characterized by an irritating or tickling sensation in the throat and can be either occasional or persistent, often worsening at night.
The most common causes of a dry cough include viral infections such as the common cold, allergies to dust or pollen, environmental irritants like smoke, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux, and in some cases, the use of medications such as ACE inhibitors (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors).
What to Take for a Dry Cough
Treatment for a dry cough depends on its cause, but several general remedies can help relieve symptoms:
- Hydration: drinking warm water, herbal teas, or broths can help soothe throat irritation.
- Honey and lemon: this combination has soothing and antimicrobial properties.
- Salt water: gargling with salt water helps reduce inflammation and relieve irritation.
- Humidifiers: keeping the air moist in your environment can prevent dryness in the airways.
- Sugar-free candies: these stimulate saliva production, which helps keep the throat hydrated.
Medications for a Dry Cough
There are several medications available for dry cough, and the right choice depends on the underlying cause. Options may include:
- Antitussives: suppress the cough reflex and are especially helpful when the dry cough disrupts sleep or daily activities.
- Antihistamines: helpful when the dry cough is allergy-related, as they reduce allergic responses.
- Decongestants: while not specifically for dry cough, they can be helpful if nasal congestion or postnasal drip is contributing to the cough.
- Bronchodilators: if the cough is linked to asthma or lung conditions, these help relax the airways.
- Reflux inhibitors: if the dry cough is caused by acid reflux, proton pump inhibitors can reduce acidity and relieve symptoms.
Why Do I Have a Cough That Won’t Go Away?
There are several reasons why a cough may persist for weeks or months, and it’s essential to identify and treat the cause.
A misdiagnosis may occur, so it’s important to reassess whether the cough is due to an undiagnosed allergy, asthma, or reflux.
Another possibility is an unresolved infection—some viral infections like COVID-19 can leave a prolonged dry cough.
Chronic irritants or ongoing exposure to tobacco smoke, pollution, or chemicals can also prolong a cough.
Underlying conditions such as pulmonary fibrosis or autoimmune diseases may also present as a persistent dry cough.
If you experience a dry cough for more than three weeks, especially if it’s accompanied by fever, unexplained weight loss, difficulty breathing, blood when coughing, or if it significantly impacts your quality of life, it’s important to seek medical attention.
At the Saludora Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Department, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
Fuentes
MSD Manuals, Houston Methodist, Healthy Children
