Dry cough is something that happens to almost everyone. It can be very annoy and sometimes painful. Unlike wet cough, dry one don’t bring up mucus. It’s just there, itching in your throat and making you cough again and again. But good news is, there are many simple and easy home remedies that can help you stop dry cough or make it less bad.
In this article we gonna talk about dry cough, what causes it, and how you can try some remedies from kitchen or home without running to the doctor first.
What is Dry Cough?
Dry cough is a type of cough that doesn’t produce any phlegm or mucus. It’s mostly caused by irritation in throat or airways. You just feel like something stuck there or your throat is scratchy, but nothing comes out. It can last short time or stay for many days.
Sometimes it worse at night, and make it hard to sleep. Some people cough so much, they get headaches or sore chest. It’s really uncomfortable.
What Causes Dry Cough?
Dry cough can be caused by many things like:
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Allergies – from dust, pollen, or pets
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Viral infections – like cold or flu (after other symptoms go away, the cough stays)
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Pollution or smoke – breathing bad air
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Asthma or other breathing conditions
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Acid reflux – when stomach acid comes up
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Some medicines – like blood pressure drugs (ACE inhibitors)
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Covid-19 – also can start with dry cough
If the cough lasts more than 2-3 weeks, it’s best to see a doctor. But in most normal cases, you can try home remedies first.
1. Honey
Honey is one of best natural remedy for dry cough. It coat your throat and makes it less itchy. Also has antibacterial and soothing properties.
How to use:
Take 1 spoon honey before bed or mix with warm water or tea. Can add lemon too. Drink 2-3 times a day. But don’t give honey to babies under 1 year old.
2. Turmeric Milk
Turmeric (haldi) has natural anti-inflammatory things. When mixed with warm milk, it becomes a powerful home medicine.
How to make:
Add half teaspoon turmeric powder in a glass of warm milk. Drink before going to sleep. It also help in sleeping better.
3. Ginger Tea
Ginger is another powerful remedy for dry cough. It helps in reducing inflammation and sooth throat.
How to make:
Boil few slices of ginger in water for 5-10 mins. Strain and drink like tea. Can add honey or lemon for extra benefit.
4. Steam Inhalation
Steam helps loosen mucus and also moisturize dry throat. Even if you don’t have mucus, the warm steam can help relax throat muscles and stop coughing.
How to do:
Boil water, put in bowl, and lean over with towel on your head. Inhale deeply for 10 minutes. Can add few drops of eucalyptus oil if available.
5. Salt Water Gargle
Simple but effective. Salt water helps to reduce irritation in throat and kill germs.
How to do:
Mix half teaspoon salt in warm water. Gargle for 30 seconds and spit. Do this 2-3 times a day.
6. Stay Hydrated
Drink lots of water and warm liquids. This keep your throat moist and helps healing. Dryness make cough worse. Herbal teas, soups, warm water are best.
7. Use Humidifier
Dry air in room (specially with AC or heaters) can make your throat drier. Use humidifier to add moisture in air.
If no humidifier, place bowl of water in room or hang wet towel near fan.
8. Avoid Irritants
Stay away from smoke, strong perfumes, cleaning sprays, dust etc. These can make cough more worse. If allergy is cause, clean room and bedsheets properly.
9. Licorice Root Tea
Licorice (mulethi) has been used in Ayurveda for years. It sooths throat and helps in cough.
How to make:
Boil mulethi root in water and drink. Not suitable for pregnant women or people with high BP.
10. Thyme Tea
Thyme is used for cough and sore throat. It helps relax throat muscles.
How to make:
Boil 1-2 tsp dried thyme in a cup of water. Let it steep and drink warm.
When to See Doctor?
Most dry coughs go away in week or two, but you should see doctor if:
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Cough more than 3 weeks
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Blood comes while coughing
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Chest pain or breathing trouble
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Weight loss without reason
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Fever stays for long time
These may be sign of serious condition.
Extra Tips for Fast Recovery
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Sleep with head elevated – it helps reduce coughing at night
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Avoid cold drinks or ice creams
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Take rest – body heals better when rested
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Don’t talk too much – give your throat rest too
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Don’t take too much cough syrup – some only mask the problem
Conclusion
Dry cough is super annoying but most time not dangerous. Using simple home remedies like honey, ginger, turmeric milk and steam can really help and give relief. But remember, if symptoms don’t go or get worse, always better to ask a doctor.