Dry Cough: Symptoms, Causes, Prevention, and Treatment

A persistent tickle in your throat, the constant urge to cough, but nothing comes out; this is how a dry cough can annoy you. Whether caused by a lingering cold, allergies, or even a more serious underlying condition, a dry cough can be incredibly bothersome and impact your daily life. It's that nagging irritation that won't let you catch a peaceful breath or get a good night's sleep. But understanding the causes and exploring effective remedies can bring relief. In this blog, we'll provide valuable information on dry coughs, uncover their origins, explore their significance, and discover ways to find respite from this persistent condition.

What is a Dry Cough?

A dry cough is one that doesn't produce mucus or phlegm. It feels like a tickle or irritation in the throat that makes you want to cough. It's different from a productive cough that helps clear your airways.

Although a dry cough may not seem as serious as a cough with mucus, it can still affect your health. It can disrupt your sleep, make you feel tired, cause discomfort in your chest, and overall make you feel unwell. It's essential to identify the cause of the dry cough and find appropriate remedies to relieve the symptoms and improve your well-being.

Symptoms of Dry Cough

A dry cough has specific signs that make it different from other coughs. These symptoms include:

• Non-stop Coughing: A dry cough keeps happening without stopping and doesn't produce mucus or phlegm. It can continue for a long time.
• Tickling Feeling: People with a dry cough often feel a tickling or itching sensation in their throat that makes them want to cough. 
• Dry and Scratchy Throat: Unlike a wet cough, a dry cough doesn't make the throat feel wet. Instead, it feels dry and scratchy, causing discomfort.
• Chest Discomfort: A dry cough can also cause discomfort or tightness in the chest, making it feel like there's pressure or pain.

How is a Dry Cough Different from Other Coughs?

A dry cough has unique features that set it apart from other coughs, such as:

• No Mucus: Unlike coughs that produce mucus, a dry cough doesn't bring up fluids from the lungs or airways.
• Long-lasting: A dry cough often lasts longer than others, persisting for weeks or months.

If you have a continuous dry cough or are concerned about your symptoms, it's a good idea to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and guidance.

Dry Cough Causes

Some of the common causes of dry cough include:

• Respiratory infections, such as the common cold, flu, or RSV, can trigger a dry cough by inflaming the airways.
• Allergies to pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or certain foods can cause an immune response leading to respiratory symptoms and coughing.
• Irritants like smoke, chemicals, strong odours, and air pollution can irritate the respiratory system and provoke a dry cough.
• Certain medications, especially ACE inhibitors for high blood pressure, can have a side effect of a persistent dry cough.
• Asthma, a condition with airway inflammation and narrowing, can cause a dry cough.

Less common causes:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): This is when stomach acid comes into the throat and can cause a chronic dry cough.
• Certain medications: Some medicines used for conditions like high blood pressure or heart problems can trigger a dry cough.
• Lung conditions: Conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease, or lung cancer can also result in a persistent dry cough.

Dry Cough Diagnosis

Types of tests used to diagnose a dry cough include:

• Physical examination: A doctor will check your throat, lungs, and chest for any visible signs of infection or inflammation.
• Imaging scans: Tests like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs can take detailed pictures of your lungs to detect conditions like pneumonia, bronchitis, or lung tumours.
• Laboratory tests: Blood tests and examining mucus samples can identify markers of infection or inflammation and specific pathogens causing the cough.
• Pulmonary function tests: These measures lung capacity and function to evaluate respiratory health and identify conditions such as asthma or COPD.
• Allergy tests: Skin prick tests or blood tests can determine if allergies are causing the cough by identifying specific allergens.

Dry Cough Treatment

The treatment for dry cough involves:

1. Over-the-counter remedies

You can try dry cough syrups and lozenges from the store to feel better. Just follow the instructions and ask a pharmacist if you need help.

Explore Dry Cough Syrups

2. Home remedies

Drinking plenty of fluids, using a humidifier to add moisture to the air, gargling with warm salt water, and even trying honey might help relieve your cough.

3. When to seek medical assistance

If your dry cough doesn't go away after a few weeks, feels terrible, or worsens, it's a good idea to see a doctor. They can check what's causing it and suggest the proper treatment.

Also read:   Can A Cough Medicine Treat Parkinson's?

Tips for Preventing Dry Cough

To prevent a dry cough, here are some easy tips:

1. Wash your hands often to avoid spreading infections.
2. Stay away from smoke and things that bother your throat. If needed, use a mask or ensure fresh air is around.
3. Drink enough fluids to keep your throat moist.
4. Ensure to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
5. Take care of your health by eating well, being active, and getting enough rest.
6. Keep your home clean and fresh to reduce allergens.
7. Manage your allergies properly to lower the chance of a dry cough.

What Would Happen if you don’t Treat a Dry Cough?

If a dry cough is left untreated:

• It can worsen and cause more discomfort in the throat and chest.
• It can disrupt sleep, making you feel tired, have trouble concentrating, and not feel well.
• Your chances of getting respiratory infections like bronchitis or pneumonia increase because your immune system becomes weaker.
• It can become long-term conditions like asthma or COPD if you don't address the main underlying problem.
• Your overall quality of life can decrease because the cough affects your daily activities, work, and enjoyment due to ongoing symptoms and limitations.

When to Consult a Doctor for Dry Cough?

If you have a dry cough and experience any of the following, seek immediate medical help:

1. Difficulty breathing or wheezing with the cough
2. Chest pain or tightness along with the cough
3. The cough starts suddenly with a high fever, fast breathing, confusion, or bluish lips or face
4. If you cough any amount of blood, be it a drop or more

How to Prevent Dry Cough from Spreading?

To prevent the spread of dry cough:

• It is important to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, either with a tissue or your elbow.
• Clean hands using soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Try OTC dry cough syrups before making a doctor's appointment.
• Keep a distance of at least 6 feet from people who have a cough, and avoid crowded places.
• Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth in public, especially if it's hard to keep your distance from others.
• Stay home and avoid close contact with others if you have a cough and other symptoms.
• Get vaccinated against illnesses like the flu and whooping cough, which can cause coughing.

Also read:   Home Remedies For Cough

Takeaway

It's essential to take care of a dry cough not only for our well-being but for others as well. We can do this by understanding what causes it, getting the correct diagnosis and treatment, and taking steps to prevent its spread. Acting early, being careful, and staying informed is vital to reduce the impact of a dry cough. Remember to be proactive, take necessary precautions, and seek medical help when needed for a cough-free and healthy future. For more questions, ask the expert doctors.

Consult Apollo’s Expert Doctors

FAQs

Q. Is a dry cough something serious? 

No, a dry cough is usually not a sign of a serious illness. It often goes away by itself within three weeks and doesn't need treatment. A dry cough feels ticklish in the throat and doesn't produce phlegm. However, if it worsens or lasts long, consult a doctor.

Q. How long does a dry cough last? 

If the cause is an infection or irritant, an acute dry cough usually gets better within three weeks. However, chronic coughs can last longer than eight weeks in adults and four weeks in children.

Q. Can a dry cough be a sign of asthma? 

Yes, a dry cough can be a symptom of asthma. In asthma, the airways become inflamed and narrow, leading to coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. However, a proper examination needs to be done by a healthcare professional to confirm your diagnosis. 

Q. Is a dry cough more common at night? 

Yes, a dry cough can be more noticeable and bothersome at night. This can be due to factors such as lying down, postnasal drip, or acid reflux, which can worsen coughing during sleep.

Q. Can exposure to dusty environments cause a dry cough? 

Yes, exposure to dry or dusty environments can irritate the airways and trigger a dry cough. Breathing in particles like dust or dry air can cause irritation and coughing.

 

Medically reviewed by Dr Sonia Bhatt.