Dry Cough
Common causes for a dry cough
You know that scratchy, tickly feeling in the back of your throat that makes you cough? The kind of cough that makes your boss think they’ve hired a hoarse horse, or your kids confuse you with the dog next door? That’s what we call a dry cough. It’s called a dry cough because it generally doesn’t produce mucus/phlegm. When a cough does produce mucus, it’s called a wet or productive chesty cough because mucus is present i.e. wet.
What causes this raspy, irritating dry cough? A cough is a normal, protective reflex that your body uses to help keep your airways clear from things that could irritate them, such as inhaled food or second-hand cigarette smoke. Dry coughs can also be associated with a range of different conditions. Below, we’ll briefly discuss some of the common causes of an annoying dry cough.
Postnasal drip
Your nose is the entrance to your airways and is pretty important. It produces mucus that helps filter the air as it passes down into your windpipe and lungs. Allergies, infections, and particles in the air for example dust and smoke can all irritate your nasal passages (your sinuses), causing them to increase the supply of mucus. This extra mucus is more watery and tends to drip down the back of your throat, triggering your cough reflex. This is known as a postnasal drip or upper airway cough syndrome and is a common cause of dry coughs.
Upper respiratory tract infection
Viral infections such as the common cold and flu (upper respiratory tract infections), usually causes a range of symptoms – this often includes a dry cough. This cough usually develops a little while after the course of infection than some of the other symptoms, such as a sore throat and sneezing, and may persist after these earlier symptoms have eased. When you have an upper respiratory tract infection, a dry cough can be caused by excess postnasal drip secretions, triggering your cough reflex. It may also be a result from the nerves that trigger your cough reflex. These nerves are extra sensitive because of inflammation in your airways caused by the infection.
Other factors
If that’s not enough, here are a couple of other causes of dry cough!
- Medications: some medications that are used to treat high blood pressure can cause a dry cough
- Environmental factors: dry coughs may be triggered when your airways are exposed to irritants in the air such as dust or smoke, or even by cold air
Dry cough remedies
When your dry cough has interrupted your zoom call for the zillionth time, what are your options? First of all, it’s important to take care and treat any condition that might be causing the cough. For example, if you think postnasal drip or environmental irritants might be the problem, talk to your doctor about the most suitable way to manage your condition.
In the meantime, to help soothe your dry cough, make sure you drink adequate fluids, this will help with hydration and will keep your airways comfortable. You could also consider hot drinks, syrups, or lozenges containing demulcents – these are products that form a protective layer over your throat to help take away that tickly, scratchy feeling that makes you cough.
Dry cough treatment options
What about when you really want to treat (or power away) your dry cough? A class of medicines called cough suppressants (or antitussives) may help. These are available at your local pharmacy to help reduce how much you cough. They work by suppressing the cough reflex, providing relief from dry coughs.
Look no further than the DURO-TUSS® range for dry coughs to help treat your cough and get you back to on track.
- DURO-TUSS Dry Cough Liquid: Contains pholcodine, which is a cough suppressant to help relieve your dry, tickly cough
- DURO-TUSS Dry Cough Liquid Forte: With triple-strength pholcodine, this liquid helps relieve a stubborn, dry cough
- DURO-TUSS Dry Cough Lozenges: A convenient solution that combines pholcodine to relieve a dry cough with an antibacterial to soothe a sore throat
These medicines may not be right for you. Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist, see your healthcare professional. If you are suffering cold and flu symptoms, stay at home and call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice.
When to see a medical professional
If you’ve had a cold and flu, your dry cough should clear up on its own in a few weeks. It is important to see your doctor if you have any concerns about your cough or any other symptoms, or if:
- Your cough gets worse or lasts longer than 10 days
- You have a fever, difficulty breathing, or chest pains
- You cough up blood, or green or yellow mucus
- Your coughing causes vomiting
Dry cough FAQs
Dry coughs can be a response to irritants such as cigarette smoke or allergies but can also be a sign of conditions such as the common cold or post-nasal drip.
Consider taking a cough medicine that contains a cough suppressant such as pholcodine to suppress your cough reflex.
Dry coughs caused by cold and flu typically resolve on their own in a few weeks. However, you should see your doctor if your cough lasts longer than 10 days or you have any other concerns.
Because a dry cough can be associated with other medical conditions, it’s important to speak with your doctor if you have any concerns about your cough, any other symptoms or if it persists.
Cough suppressants are recommended for dry coughs. Medicines that contain mucolytics or expectorants, which help to clear mucus from the chest, are not recommended for dry coughs.
A common cause of night-time coughing is postnasal drip. Lying flat on your back may cause mucus to pool in the back of your throat. Try propping your head up with an extra pillow to help reduce your dry cough at night and speak to your health professional about a suitable treatment to help relieve your symptoms.