Updated September 2016. How do I get rid of a dry cough that keeps me up at night? ", to bed, one underneath and one on top to absorb the sweat.". A persistent dry cough can be irritating and at times, even painful. How can I treat a three-year-old girl's bad, dry cough? If you have a baby who's at least 3 months of age and they have a dry cough, try warming up 1-3 tsp (5-15 mL) of a clear fluid like apple juice or lemonade. In cases when a dry cough is mild and uncomplicated (meaning without fever, chest pain, or any other concerning symptoms), it may be reasonable to treat it with a home remedy rather than an over-the-counter cough medication. Dry cough can be caused by any number of things, including allergies, environmental irritants, infections, and even certain drugs (like ACE inhibitors). I tried essential oils to sooth my cough, and it worked a treat! It is important to make use of these home remedies wisely. ", "Warm herbal tea with honey is good for relieving a cough. It occurs from inflammation of the throat and airways, and does not produce any phlegm or mucus. Mix about 5 g of the licorice root powder with a small amount of honey. Make sure to sit up. Will using Vick's VapoRub on my chest help with a cough? The licorice root will sooth the inflamed throat and the honey will once again coat the throat with a layer of lubrication. 2016;146(2):389S-396S. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. I use wikiHow almost every day. If you've tried the common remedies like tea, cough drops, Nyquil, etc., it's best to go to the doctor, at least so they can rule out anything serious. You can try to get rid of the cough on your own, but keep in mind that if your cough persists for three or more weeks, you should consult with your doctor. It's not a very pleasant taste, but it should work well. A dry cough is a common symptom of coronavirus, in addition to signs like fever and shortness of breath. Dry coughs refer to coughs that do not bring up mucus. It occurs from inflammation of the throat and airways, and does not produce any phlegm or mucus. Avoid shouting or yelling. He is a member of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and has over 5 years of emergency medicine experience. But a chronic cough may also be an early sign of a potentially serious health condition, ranging from sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) to mesothelioma and lung cancer. Drink lots of fluids. Add cinnamon to gain extra relief. doi:10.3945/jn.114.202192, Lissiman E, Bhasale AL, Cohen M. Garlic for the common cold. A persistent dry cough can be caused from a upper respiratory infection or bronchitis. There are, however, a number of key things you can do that will loosen congestion and provide relief. To make cinnamon milk, combine ½ tsp cinnamon and 1tbsp sugar in a saucepan. A dry cough is a cough that doesn’t bring up mucus. Nov 5, 2012 - A persistent dry cough can be irritating and at times, even painful. 2014;8(8):HC19-HC24. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. How to Get Rid of a Dry Cough Method 1 of 5: Staying Hydrated. Dress in layers as well so you adjust to temperature changes. Drink hot or warm water with some honey and lemon. I tried the licorice root tea and also thyme tea w organic honey – they both worked to quiet my cough and loosen up the mucous on my chest, however cant shake this cough six days later, it goes from dry itchy cough to wheezing and trying to break up. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Herbal tea is a great way to help your dry cough. Can Using Natural Remedies Help Your Cough? If the air is on, drink some hot fluids. Viral pneumonia and COPD are less common causes of dry cough. I have cough problem since 2-3 days when i cough i fill like my heart will come out and no spit come out when i cough its totally dry cough. The warmth may help soothe the tickle in your baby's throat that's causing them to cough. Although there are medications available, there are also some home remedies that can be beneficial for a dry cough. Steam Inhalation. Last Updated: December 1, 2020 A simple and all-natural way to loosen up chest congestion is to take a hot, steamy shower. Moisture. ", "It worked, I drank some salt water and now it's gone! Aniseed tea is a tea known to soothe throats and reduce coughs. Steam inhalation and gargling with saline water is a must if you want the dry cough to disappear quickly. It could. This means that you do not produce any phlegm or mucus as you cough. Dry coughs can still be an infection, too. "After my asthma attack, I was still coughing up a significant amount of mucus. The simplest (and arguably less serious) cough is dry, which means it doesn’t produce sputum. Thanks, wikiHow, you never disappoint! Hydration: Drink plenty of water when you’re congested. The dry cough from a dusty room is different from the wet cough that results from a cold or flu infection. Some home remedies often used for dry cough include raw honey, licorice root, and saltwater gargling. This article was medically reviewed by Joshua Batt, DO. Raw honey is one of the oldest home remedies to treat any type of cough. If you don’t have lozenges, suck on a piece of hard candy. Dr. Batt is an Emergency Medicine Physician at Riverside Community Hospital in California. Do Herbal and Alternative Remedies Help COPD? You should also take her to see a pediatrician. Marshmallow root, as per its name, is the root of the marshmallow plant (Althea officinalis), a type of flowering hollyhock. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,249,762 times. Then add 1/8tsp baking soda and 8oz of milk to it and mix thoroughly. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. ", "Helped me very much, because it's giving me good tips. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. When the virus makes people sick, it can cause lung inflammation and a dry cough, among many other symptoms that can range from mild to life-threatening. Regular hand washing with soap and water is one of the best ways to prevent infection. 2019;10:912. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2019.00912, Abidi A, Gupta S, Agarwal M, Bhalla HL, Saluja M. Evaluation of efficacy of curcumin as an add-on therapy in patients of bronchial asthma. Decongestant nasal sprays may also contain Oxymetazoline. Some scientific backing exists for a few home remedies for dry cough, however, and those options are generally considered safe for short-term use. and is said to alleviate pain, clear phlegm, and ease cough.. While wet cough is the only one type also known as chesty cough where phlegm or mucus is expelled out. It might range from the occasional annoying cough to a persistent, dry hacking cough that disrupts your sleep. In some cases, a drug substitution or dose reduction may be all that's needed to overcome this common side effect. A pilot, open labelled, randomised controlled trial of hypertonic saline nasal irrigation and gargling for the common cold. To get rid of a dry cough, start by drinking plenty of fluids to keep your throat moist and hydrated. Use inhalation therapy with eucalyptus essential oil to ease your cough and loosen mucus in your lungs. In some cases, there may no known cause. Taking garlic on a regular basis is also said to lower blood pressure and boost the immune system., Garlic is purported to relieve cough associated with the common cold, although most studies investigating the effect have been mixed. Some causes of dry coughs include upper respiratory infections, croup, sinusitis, asthma, and laryngitis. Rose petal-infused water is also an excellent alternative to honey. This Doctor Discussion Guide has been sent to {{form.email}}. Steaming is also a good method. If you are pregnant, ask your doctor before considering any home treatments. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. Wang L, Yang R, Yuan B, Liu Y, Liu C. The antiviral and antimicrobial activities of licorice, a widely-used Chinese herb. Thyme essential oil, typically used in aromatherapy, should not be taken internally as it can cause a potentially serious drop in blood pressure. If this cough is prolonged and becomes a concern, seek medical advice from your doctor. In addition to ACE inhibitors, Zocor (simvastatin), Coreg (carvedilol), Actonel (risedronate), and fluticasone nasal sprays can all cause coughing. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007094.pub5. He is an assistant clinical professor at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine and currently practices at Central Coast Allergy and Asthma in Salinas, California. firm believer in natural home remedies, I found this article super helpful! Cochrane Database Syst Rev. To aid with congestion, add 1-2 drops of essential oils to your hands, rub then together, cup them over your nose, and take 4-6 deep, cleansing breaths. J Clin Diagn Res. Updated September 2016. 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How do I get rid of a sore throat that causes stomach pain? Licorice root tea can be found in many grocery and health food stores. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. When using a humidifier, don't use the little inserts more than once per day. 4. 2017;22(1):175-85. doi:10.1177/2156587216650793, Fink C, Schmidt M, Kraft K. Marshmallow root extract for the treatment of irritative cough: Two surveys on users' view on effectiveness and tolerability. In the meantime, chamomile tea is soothing to both the throat and the stomach, so you might try that. Licorice root. Is there a diet for histamine intolerance? ", "Each step reasonably helped me in the way of remedy, thanks. Never ignore a dry cough that is persistent, no matter how mild it might be. He received his D.O. Effects of ginger and its constituents on airway smooth muscle relaxation and calcium regulation. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. It occurs from inflammation of the throat and airways, and does not produce any phlegm or mucus. Mix honey and lemon and give it to her. ", "The Consuming Soothing Food section was very helpful. Dried licorice root can be purchased online and used to make tea by steeping 2 tablespoons of the shaved root in 8 ounces of boiling water for five to 10 minutes. Even without an additive, warm steam can help moisturize dry and irritated nasal passages, ease throat pain, and reduce the severity of cough caused by mild infection or allergy. Causes of a Dry Cough:A dry cough is most commonly caused by irritation. You can keep a humidifier in your room. Keep hydrated: There are a lot of OTC cough meds but the best really is 1/3 whisky, 1/3 honey and 1/3 lemonjuice. 2018;4:CD007094. When consumed as a tea, thyme is likely safe for occasional use. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. A 2018 study in Complementary Medicine Research reported that syrups and lozenges made with marshmallow root extract helped relieve mild dry cough in 822 users, usually within 10 minutes., Marshmallow root tea can be purchased online and in some specialty health food stores. This will help to loosen the mucus in your chest. GORD can be treated with antacids to neutralise your stomach acid and medication to reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces. bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics. Gargling with saltwater is something that doctors will often recommend to ease a sore throat caused by the common cold. 2017 Mar;2(2):24-6. Eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary, sage, tea tree, sandalwood, cedarwood, frankincense, and hyssop are the best essential oils to clear congestion. Try adding thyme leaves the water for extra relief. This article received 21 testimonials and 82% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. He is a member of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and has over 5 years of emergency medicine experience. Here are some different coughs, ways to recognize them and what they mean: Dry Cough. 7 Fruits to Cure Dry Cough and Phlegm - Natural Remedies Cough is a common disease for many people - Coughing usually occurs during the turn of the season. Best Wishes! Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. In the throat, saltwater draws moisture away from the area of soreness and, in doing so, helps reduce swelling and irritation. Many of these treatments, particularly those involving boiling water, are unsuitable for children. Be cautious about using the humidifier too much—if a humidifier isn’t cleaned, it can pump fungus and mold back into the air. Croup or Dry Barking Cough; Croup is a dry cough that causes a distinct barking sound. The stomach pain is caused by hard coughing, so to get rid of this you should try honey and garlic, which help to soothe. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8d\/Get-Rid-of-a-Dry-Cough-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-a-Dry-Cough-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8d\/Get-Rid-of-a-Dry-Cough-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid2006170-v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-a-Dry-Cough-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"