How to treat dry cough?

Dry cough often occurs at the end of infections such as a cold, flu or sinus infection, or after a person has been exposed to irritants such as smoke, dust or chemical fumes. Smoking cigarettes, allergies and asthma are also categorized as common causes.

Cough can be categorized into dry (non-productive) or chesty (productive) cough.  A dry cough occurs when the throat and upper airways become inflamed. Patients cough without producing any mucus or phlegm in a dry cough. They often experience an uncomfortable tickling in the throat which begins the actual attacks of cough.

Most coughs are acute in nature; they appear suddenly and normally do not last longer than 2-3 weeks.

What causes dry cough?

It often occurs at the end of infections such as a cold, flu or sinus infection, or after a person has been exposed to irritants such as smoke, dust or chemical fumes. Smoking cigarettes, allergies and asthma are also common causes of coughs. The infections cause inflammation of the throat and upper airways. A dry cough is an attempt to remove this inflammation but it is usually of no benefit and rather can be uncomfortable.