Other names for Cough (dry)

Irritative Cough
Nonproductive Cough
Tickling Cough
Unproductive Cough

Synopsis of Cough (dry)

A dry cough is a nonproductive cough that does not bring up mucus or phlegm. It often feels like a persistent tickle or irritation in the throat and can result from a wide range of causes — including viral infections, allergies, asthma, GERD (acid reflux), air dryness, or medication side effects (especially ACE inhibitors). While it may begin as a residual symptom after an infection, it can persist for weeks if the airway remains sensitive or inflamed.

Unlike a damp or productive cough, a dry cough is typically caused by inflammation or irritation of the throat and airways, rather than mucus buildup. It can be worse at night, especially when lying down, and may interfere with sleep, concentration, or daily functioning.

Types of Dry Cough:

• Post-viral Dry Cough: Common after colds or flu.

• Allergic Dry Cough: Triggered by allergens like dust or pollen.

• Reflux-related Dry Cough: From acid irritating the throat and airways.

• Asthmatic Dry Cough: Associated with airway hyperreactivity, especially at night.

• Medication-Induced Dry Cough: Often from ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril).

Common Causes:

• Viral infections (lingering cough post-recovery)

• Asthma or reactive airway disease

• Allergies or environmental irritants

• GERD (acid reflux)

• Air dryness (especially in winter or heated environments)

• Smoking or exposure to smoke

• Postnasal drip (can feel dry even if mucus isn’t expectorated)

• Certain medications (e.g., ACE inhibitors)

Severity Factors:

• Persistent dry cough lasting more than 3 weeks may require investigation

• Noisy, wheezing dry cough may indicate airway obstruction

• Severe or disruptive cough can lead to headaches, sore muscles, or insomnia

When to See a Doctor:

• Dry cough lasting more than 3–4 weeks

• Cough accompanied by shortness of breath, weight loss, fever, or chest pain

• Blood in sputum (even without mucus)

• Worsening of known asthma or reflux symptoms

• New onset dry cough after starting medication

Natural remedies for Cough (dry)

Honey in warm water or tea: Coats throat and calms irritation (not for children under 1 year)

Steam inhalation or humidifier: Moistens airways to reduce dryness and coughing

Herbal teas: Ginger, licorice root, and marshmallow root soothe inflamed tissues

Hydration: Keep throat moist to reduce irritation

Avoid irritants: Smoke, fragrances, cold air

Elevate head while sleeping: Helps if cough is due to postnasal drip or reflux

Lozenges or throat sprays: Temporarily numb and calm the urge to cough

Ingredients

These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to treat Cough (dry)

Acacia
Aconite
Adenophora
Aerva lanata
Agastache
Alcohol
Allium tuberosum
Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
alpinia galangal
ambergris
Anamarrhena
anise
apple
asafoetida
Asam gelugor
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
atractylodes
atractylone
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
balloon flower
banana
Bassia scoparia
bayleaf
bee products
Belamcanda
benegut perilla (proprietary)
Bergenia
bermuda grass
beta-pinene
black currant
black pepper
black salt
black seed
boneset
Bryonia
Buddha\'s hand
burning bush
butternut
cactus
calamus
capsaicin
cat's claw
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Chinese salvia root
cineole
cinnamaldehyde
cinnamon
Cistus
citron
Citrus
Clerodendrum indicum
clove
cowage seed
cowslip
cubeb
Dichrostachys glomerata
diterpenes
dodder
dragonhead
Echinacea
Elder
elderberry
elecampane
ephedrine
fernbush
flavoglycosides
fringed pink
fritillaria
fritillary
fruit
Fumaria parviflora
Gallesia
garlic bulb
ginger
Glehnia littoralis
glehnia root
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Greek mountain tea
green tea
Guava
gum
heartwood
Hedychium spicatum
Hempnettle
honey
honey loquat syrup
hyssop
Ilex
Indian bael
Indian frankincense
Indian tinospora
inula racemosa
Japanese kadsura
Javanese Long Pepper
jujube
Khella
Lactucarium
Large-leaved linden
lemon
licorice root
Ligusticum
Lilium polyphyllum
linden
Lindera
long pepper
loquat
Loranthus
luffa
lungwort
mace
Maidenhair Fern
malabar nut
Marshmallow
Melia
Mentha haplocalyx
Menthol oil
Mucilage
Mullein
Nettle
Nigella seed
Nutmeg
onion
Ophiopogon
ophiopogon root
oregano
Osha
Osmanthus
Palmyra
Paris polyphylla
parsley
pear
Pelargonium
Pepper
Phellodendron
phellodendron amurense
Pimpinella
Piper chaba
pistacia integerrima gall
Platycodon
platycodon root
plum fruit
Polygala
polygala root
polymorpha
pomegranate
poppy
prepared aconite tuber
radish
ravinsara
Rhododendron
Sabadilla
sarsaparilla
Sedanenolide
Sete sangrias
Shogaol
Solanaceae
Stemona
Stephania root
Sundew
sweet flag
Tamarind
Tea
Terpenoids
Theobromine
thyme
Thymol
Thymoquinone
Tonka Bean
Tragacanth
turmeric
Vasicine
Vasicinol
Vasicinone
vitamin C
Vladimiria souliei
Waterhyssop
Wax Gourd
Zinc