Dry Cough

What is a dry cough?

A dry cough is a tickly irritation in your airways or throat that doesn’t bring up any phlegm or mucus when you cough. Because there isn’t mucus blocking your lungs or airways, nothing comes out when you cough. A dry cough is also called an unproductive cough.

A cough is your body’s way of clearing your lungs and airways of irritants and foreign matter that can make you sick (like viruses and bacteria). You usually get a dry cough when your airways are inflamed or something irritates them. You usually get a wet cough when you have an infection that’s creating a lot of mucus to try to clear out the cause of the infection.

Sometimes, it can come with other symptoms of a respiratory infection, or with chest tightness from coughing too much.

What is dry cough a symptom of?

Conditions that cause dry coughs include:

• Allergies
• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Croup (in children)
• Exposure to chemicals or irritants
• GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or laryngopharyngeal reflux
• Medication side effects (for instance, blood pressure medications can sometimes cause dry cough)
• Postnasal drip (upper airway cough syndrome)
• Smoking
• Vocal cord dysfunction
• Whooping cough (pertussis)

Some more serious conditions can cause a chronic dry cough, including:

• COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• Heart failure
• Lung cancer
• Pneumonia
• Pulmonary embolism
• Sleep apnea
• Tuberculosis

Do colds, flu and COVID cause a dry cough?

COVID often causes a dry cough because of how much it inflames and irritates your lungs and airways. But it can also cause a wet cough for some people.

Colds and flu tend to cause wet, productive coughs when you’re sick. Later, a dry cough may linger — sometimes for weeks — while you recover.

How do I stop my dry cough?

Most dry coughs clear up when you treat the underlying cause. Your provider may get a chest X-ray and listen to your heart and lungs to help determine (or rule out) the cause.

Remedies for dry cough in adults

To treat a cough at home that’s caused by allergies, previous infections or less serious causes, you can try:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) cough suppressants. Ask a provider which ones they recommend.
• Hydration. Drinking plenty of liquids to stay hydrated can help a cough. Hot tea or water with honey and lemon can soothe irritated airways.
• Cough drops or hard candies. Sucking on a hard lozenge promotes saliva (spit) production that soothes your throat. Some have ingredients that numb the tickly feeling. But sometimes, ingredients like menthol can dry out your throat if you use them too much.
• A spoonful of honey. Studies show that honey can stop coughs, as well as most OTC cough medicines.
• A humidifier. A cool-mist humidifier puts moisture into the air. This extra moisture soothes nasal passages and sore throats and eases dry coughs. You can also get more moisture by taking a steamy shower or hot bath.

Most medicines for cough aren’t approved for kids under 4. Running a humidifier and sitting in the bathroom with a hot shower going can help. Ask your child’s pediatrician how to treat a dry cough.

Can dry cough be prevented?

You can lower your chances of getting a dry cough by:

• Avoiding irritants and allergens like chemicals, mold and fragrances
• Washing your hands frequently to prevent respiratory illnesses
• Quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke

When should I see a healthcare provider?

You should call your healthcare provider if you experience serious symptoms, like:

• Coughing up blood
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Extreme fatigue
• Fever and chills
• Sudden, unexplained chest pain
• Wheezing

How long is it OK to have a dry cough?

If you have a dry cough that lasts longer than three weeks — especially if you’re not sure of the cause — contact a healthcare provider. They can help you get to the bottom of whatever’s causing it and might be able to give you some symptom relief.

Is a dry cough serious?

Rarely, a dry cough indicates a serious, potentially life-threatening health problem. You should see your healthcare provider if you have concerns about a cough.

Why does my chest hurt when I cough?

Many people have a feeling of chest tightness with a dry cough. If you have a forceful cough or one that lasts longer than three weeks (chronic cough), it can strain your lungs or chest muscles. You may develop chest pain from coughing. It might feel like pressure (like there’s a weight on your chest) or a squeezing sensation.

If your chest muscles hurt from coughing, over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) might help.

Seek immediate care if you have sudden, unexplained chest pain. It can be a sign of a heart attack.