10 Effective Home Remedies for Dry Cough

A dry cough is a common infection, but nothing serious should be worried about. With the changing seasons, viral infections like coughs and colds are common. A dry cough occurs after such respiratory issues. It disappears within two to three weeks without any treatment. If these symptoms last even longer, your doctor might recommend a clinical treatment. 

Did you know home remedies can provide relief from a dry cough? These home remedies can reduce infection and severe causes. In this blog, you will learn about 10 effective home remedies for dry cough. 

What is Dry Cough? 

Coughs are of two types: dry or wet. During a wet cough, you may cough up mucus, creating shortness of breath or other severe health issues. Meanwhile, in a dry cough, nothing comes up. A wet cough is productive, while a dry cough is unproductive. Productive is classified based on its ability to pass air through the lungs or nasal passages. 

Symptoms of Dry Cough 

A dry cough creates a tickling sensation on the tongue, which can cause irritation. A doctor can identify dry cough when you experience fever, shortness of breath, pain during coughing, blood in cough, and fainting. Frequent or random coughing is a major sign of dry cough. 

Dry cough can be mild or severe. These signs are mainly mild. However, chronic dry cough may be a sign of certain severe health conditions, which can be: 

1. Cystic Fibrosis 
2. Heart Failure 
3. Lung Cancer 
4. COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) 
5. Pulmonary Embolism 
6. Tuberculosis 
7. Sleep Apnea 

Causes of Dry Cough 

Many things can cause dry cough. Experts say the effect gets worse at night. Cold and flu lead the list. These respiratory infections can cause inflammation, which takes time to go away. Your throat, lungs, and nasal airways become too sensitive and cause cough. Nonetheless, there are five common causes of dry cough. 

Asthma 

Asthma is a serious medical issue that blocks your airways by narrowing and swelling it. Coughing is a normal sign of asthma. A person with asthma may also experience wheezing, chest pain, trouble sleeping, and shortness of breath. 

Experts say asthma has a long-term and short-term treatment plan. Short-term treatment includes bronchodilator inhalers, while long-term treatment requires inhaled corticosteroids. 

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) 

GERD is chronic acid reflux, which happens when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, which connects the mouth to the stomach. Some signs of GERD include chest pain, chronic sore throat, swallowing difficulties, and mild hoarseness. 

Postnasal Drip 

Medically, postnasal drip is the extra mucus dripping from your throat. It is different than healthy mucus and can trigger back nerves of your throat, leading to a dry cough. You may experience a sore throat and runny nose during postnasal drip. With proper treatment and home remedies, you can cure postnasal drip.

Respiratory and Viral Infection 

The common cold causes viral and upper respiratory infections (URI). These can result in coughing, sneezing, nasal congestion, and a runny nose. However, infections can be treated with timely treatment and coughing supplements. 

Allergies

Allergies are common among people. Any harmful substance, such as bacteria or viruses in the body, can create an allergy. One can experience coughing, itching, and watery eyes because of allergy. If you experience these symptoms, book an allergy screening package from Redcliffe Labs to look for common allergens and manage or diagnose allergies. 

Flu, colds, and coughs are very common in this changing season. Check out https://redcliffelabs.com/myhealth/health/effective-home-remedies-for-cough-find-relief-naturally/ to learn effective treatment remedies. 

Other Causes of Dry Cough

1. Bronchitis 
2. Croup, mainly among children
3. Postnasal drip or upper airway cough syndrome 
4. Smoking 
5. Pneumonia 
6. Vocal cord dysfunction 
7. Pertussis or whooping cough 
8. Certain medications 
9. Side effect of high blood pressure medicine 
10. ACE Inhibitors 
11. Environmental Irritants 
12. Lung Cancer 
13. Pneumothorax or collapsed lung 
14. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) 
15. Heart Failure 

When Should You See A Doctor? 

A dry cough may last from a week to a month, which can cause symptoms and serious medical conditions. See medical consultation if you experience wheezing, back pain, fever, trouble breathing, chills, and dry cough. Additionally, if your cough worsens and doesn’t disappear within 2 months, see a doctor. 

10 Home Remedies of Dry Cough 

A dry cough can cause wheezing and asthma, but don’t worry. Home remedies for dry cough are a popular concept from ancestor’s time. These can effectively alleviate them. One home remedy doesn’t fit all, so here are 10 home remedies that can work for you. 

• Honey 

Honey contains anti-bacterial properties, which help treat cough. Parents recommend honey as the best home remedy for a dry cough. A study found that honey is better than a cough suppressant ingredient. Mix honey in a glass of warm water and have it 2-3 times a day. Honey doesn’t suit everyone. Parents should avoid giving honey to infants or children under 1-year-old. 

• Turmeric 

Having turmeric milk at night is the most recommended remedy for cough. The curcumin compound in turmeric is beneficial for several health conditions. Curcumin contains anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-bacterial properties. These properties fight against cough, respiratory issues, bronchitis, and asthma. 

• Ginger 

Dry cough occurs because of bacteria, and ginger is the best cure. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties can boost your immune system and help relieve pain. ‘Ginger and honey’ is the best home remedy for a dry cough. Also, you can chew ginger root to eliminate dry cough. 

• Peppermint 

Peppermint has menthol, which provides relief from coughing. Its antibacterial and antiviral properties can also reduce congestion. Drink peppermint tea before sleeping to alleviate dry cough pain at nighttime. Peppermint essential oil is also used in aromatherapy. 

• Garlic 

Garlic’s smell can heal dry coughs. Its antibacterial and antiviral properties relieve severe colds, viral fevers, and dry coughs. If you are experiencing a dry cough, add garlic to your meal through ginger garlic paste or garlic butter. Have it as you like. 

• An Air Purifier 

 Air purifier home remedies are in the news nowadays because of their special perks. Air purifiers can block pollutants from entering your home, reduce allergens and airborne irritants such as pollen, dander, dust, and smoke, and help reduce dry cough and throat irritation.

• Jaggery

Jaggery is a long-old home remedy for a dry cough. It can provide relief from congestion in the respiratory tract and chest. Boil peppercorn in water for at least 20 minutes, add jaggery to it, and drink it. This acts as a cough syrup, helping expel phlegm. 

• Lemon

The citrus properties of lemons provide relief from cough, irritation, and inflammation. The vitamin C content can also fight infection. Squeeze two tablespoons of lemon juice, add one tablespoon of honey, and drink it several times a day. 

• Gargle with Salt Water 

Gargling with salt water provides immense relief from irritation, discomfort, inflammation, and throat pain. Experts say that gargling may fight with bacteria in the mouth. Doctors don’t recommend this remedy to young children. The process is simple: add 1 teaspoon of salt and gargle several times a day in a glass of warm water. 

• Almonds 

The nutrition proportion in almonds provides relief from coughing. Soak five to seven almonds overnight. The next morning, blend-soaked almonds and mix a teaspoon of butter to make a homemade nutritious almond butter. You can also mix soaked and peeled almonds in 2 teaspoons of honey and have it in the morning. It can help provide relief from symptoms. 

There are some fruits that can deteriorate your health during a dry cough. Read to know which fruits you should avoid: https://redcliffelabs.com/myhealth/fruit/5-fruits-to-avoid-during-cough-and-cold/ 

15 Other Home Remedies of Dry Cough 

1. Aromatherapy with Eucalyptus 
2. Marshmallow root 
3. Chai/ Tea 
4. Capsaicin 
5. Cough syrup 
6. Cough Drops 
7. Grapes 
8. Pineapple 
9. Ajwain Seeds
10. Peppermint
11. Lavender oil 
12. Probiotics 
13. Onion
14. Thyme
15. Herbal Lozenges

Key Takeaways 

Home remedies are commonly found in your kitchen. Everything from fruits to spices provides convenient and effective relief from coughing. Not every home remedy suits everyone, but these remedies are the best substitutes for professional medical advice, which can prevent worsening health conditions.