17 Remedies for a Persistent Throat Tickle
A drycoughfeels like a tickle in the back of your throat.
It occurs as a natural reflex wheninflammationor irritation affects your airway.
A dry cough is also called a unproductive cough because it does not producephlegmormucus.
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Symptoms can range from mild to severe.
There are many causes of a dry cough.
It often occurs as a result of anupper respiratory infection, such as the common cold or flu.
A dry cough usually resolves with the course of the disease.
However, a dry cough can also occur from chronic health problems such asasthmaoracid reflux.
Treatment of a dry cough depends on the cause.
This article reviews dry cough symptoms, causes, and diagnosis.
It also explains treatments and ways to live with a dry cough.
Instead, a dry cough typically occurs as a result of inflammation or irritation in your airway.
Dry cough characteristics include:
Dry Cough Causes
A dry cough can occur for many reasons.
When this is the case, your dry cough typically resolves on its own as your illness improves.
When a dry cough lasts for more than eight weeks, it is considered a chronic cough.
Acute coughs may also be related to an allergy or asthma flare.
A subacute cough may outlast other symptoms of an infection resulting in prolonged inflammation of your airways.
About 60% of subacute coughs resolve on their own.
The cough may linger until you receive a proper diagnosis and begin the right treatment.
What Medications Can Cause a Dry Cough?
However, conclusive research is often lacking, so finding what works for you may require trial and error.
Saltwater Gargle
The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of salt make it effective as a natural remedy for infections.
Ginger
Gingerhas anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce throat inflammation and irritation.
It also contains compounds called gingerols that can help relax airway muscles and relieve coughing.
Capsaicin
Naturalcapsaicin(chili) has some powerful effects against dry coughs triggered by environmental irritants.
Taking capsaicin orally can reduce your cough reflex and improve unexplained coughing.
However, it is advised to begin with small amounts.
Some research suggests it may ease cough resulting from asthma.
Turmeric tea is generally well-tolerated, while oral supplements may cause digestive irritation.
Garlic
Garlic(Allium sativum) has mild antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties.
Marshmallow Root
Marshmallow rootis the root of the marshmallow plant.
Slippery Elm
The inner bark of theslippery elmtree contains mucilage, a substance comparable to marshmallow root.
Mix slippery elm with water to produce a gel-like substance that coats and protects your throat.
It can be used in powder form that’s added to hot water to make tea.
Drink a few cups daily.
Licorice Root
Licorice root(Glycyrrhiza glabra) has been used since 2100 B.C.
to treat pain and ease coughs.
Cough Drops
Cough dropsmay reduce the discomfort of a dry cough and the sore throat it causes.
Many cough drops contain menthol, which has a cooling effect.
Other ingredients likepeppermint, eucalyptus oil, or honey, may provide some relief from discomfort.
Marjoram
Marjoram (Origanum majorana) is a form oforegano.
It can be steeped in hot water to make tea.
It can be consumed as a tea or added to steam as an extract.
#17 Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy uses essential oils, or plant extracts, for health benefits.
They can be put inside an oil diffuser to diffuse the oils into the air.
Contact your healthcare provider if your cough lasts longer than three weeks or if symptoms worsen despite home treatments.
CT of the sinuses: This test can help identify sinus disorders that may be contributing to a cough.
Consider the following guidelines in determiningwhen to seek medical attention for a dry cough.
The pop in of medication your healthcare provider advises using depends on the cause of your dry cough.
However, coughs that last longer than eight weeks are typically triggered by an underlying medical condition.
Managing chronic dry cough involves diagnosing and treating the underlying cause of the cough.
Treatment can vary widely based on the underlying condition.
Most dry coughs do not need treatment.
They often occur as a symptom of a cold or flu and resolve soon after the disease ends.
While home treatments and medications can treat the cough, they do not cure it.
Knowing the source of your cough can help you manage symptoms.
A cough resulting from an underlying condition requires management of the health problem before it can improve.
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