A dry cough can have many causes, from allergies to viruses. Home remedies and medications may help provide relief. Drinking plenty of water and avoiding allergens or environmental irritants can also be beneficial.
A cough is a reflex action that clears your airway of irritants and mucus.
There are two types of cough: productive and nonproductive. A productive cough produces phlegm or mucus, clearing it from the lungs. A nonproductive cough, known as a dry cough, doesn’t produce phlegm or mucus.
Many things — from allergies to acid reflux — can cause a dry cough. In some cases, there’s no obvious cause.
An ongoing dry cough can greatly impact your day-to-day life, especially if it keeps you up at night. Keep reading to learn more about the possible causes of a dry cough and ways to find relief.
Common causes of dry cough include:
Asthma
Asthma is a condition in which your airways swell and become narrow. Asthma-related coughs can be productive or nonproductive, though they’re frequently nonproductive. Coughing is a common symptom of asthma, but it’s usually not the main one. However, some people may have a type of asthma called cough variant asthma.
Learn more about the symptoms and treatment of asthma.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a type of chronic acid reflux. It happens when stomach acid regularly flows back up into your esophagus, which connects your mouth to your stomach.
Stomach acid can irritate your esophagus and trigger your cough reflex. Learn more about the other symptoms of GERD and how to treat it.
Postnasal drip
Postnasal drip refers to extra mucus dripping down your throat.
When you have a cold or seasonal allergies, the membranes in your nose respond by producing more mucus than usual. This mucus is more watery and runny than usual, so it can drip down the back of your throat. Postnasal drip can tickle the nerves in the back of your throat, triggering a cough.
Treatment for postnasal drip depends on the cause, but steam from a hot shower or teapot can help clear your sinuses. A saline nasal spray or neti pot can also help flush out extra mucus.
Viral infection
When you contract one of the many viruses that cause the common cold, your short-term symptoms usually last less than a week. It’s not uncommon, however, for a cough to linger long after your other symptoms have improved.
These post-cold coughs are usually dry and can last up to 2 months. They’re typically the result of irritation in your airway, which can be overly sensitive after a viral illness.
Upper respiratory infection
An acute upper respiratory infection (URI) is due to a virus or bacteria that infects your nose, throat, pharynx, larynx, and bronchi. The common cold is an example of a URI.
In addition to the common cold, other URIs include sinusitis and pharyngitis.
Learn more about the medications that treat URIs.
Allergies
When your immune system mistakes a harmless foreign substance, such as pollen, for something dangerous to your body, it attacks it. This causes allergy symptoms such as coughing.
Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis, are triggered by plant pollen. These types of allergies are common, affecting
Besides coughing, symptoms may include itchy or watery eyes and a runny nose. See a doctor if OTC medications aren’t relieving your symptoms.
Less common causes of a dry cough include:
Dry coughs can be difficult to treat. Once your airways become overly sensitive, they’re easily irritated by coughing, creating a vicious cycle.
Treatment typically includes decongestions, cough suppressants, and expectorants. If OTC treatment doesn’t help relieve your cough, a doctor might prescribe medication depending on the causes.
For example, they may prescribe:
- an oral antihistamine to treat allergies
- inhaled corticosteroids for asthma
- antibiotics for a bacterial infection
- acid blockers for acid reflux
You may also want to try home remedies and natural treatments such as:
- using a humidifier to add moisture to the air
- drinking warm liquids
- taking a spoonful of honey when you start to cough
- gargling salt water
Not all treatments will be safe for everyone. For example, honey should not be given to a child under 1 year old. Check with a pharmacist or doctor to make sure the treatment is suitable.
A dry cough is rarely a sign of anything serious. Usually, dry cough symptoms will not require treatment and will go away within 3 weeks. If it persists after this time and home treatments have not worked, it’s advisable to speak with a doctor.
Why do I have a cough that won’t go away, but I’m not sick?
Several conditions may cause you to have a cough without an illness. These include: gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), asthma, allergies, smoking, medications like ACE inhibitors, and others.
Very rarely, a chronic cough may be a sign of a more serious condition like lung cancer, heart failure, or a blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism).
What does a GERD cough sound like?
People often describe a GERD cough as dry and hacking, with no mucus, that feels like tickling or scratching in the throat. They also report that it gets worse at night or when they lie down.
What type of cough is worrying?
It’s a good idea to seek medical care if your cough:
- lasts longer than 3 weeks
- impacts your daily life
- is accompanied by breathlessness or difficulty breathing
- is painful
How do you get rid of a dry cough?
Staying hydrated, using cough drops or lozenges, and taking OTC cough suppressants can help alleviate a dry cough. It’s also important to avoid irritants like smoke or dust.
What is a dry cough a symptom of?
A dry cough may be a symptom of the common cold, flu, allergies, asthma, or acid reflux. It can also be a symptom of more serious conditions like pneumonia, so it’s important to seek medical care if you have a persistent dry cough.
Why won’t my dry cough go away?
A persistent dry cough may have many possible causes. It’s advisable to see a doctor if you have a cough that lasts for more than a few weeks.
Dry coughs can be annoying, especially when they drag on for weeks. If it affects your sleep schedule negatively, try these tips to stop coughing at night.
If you’re unsure what’s causing your cough, work with a doctor to figure out the best course of treatment. In the meantime, combining home remedies and OTC medications can relieve pain.