What causes a dry cough?
A dry cough may be caused by:
- A upper respiratory tract infection, such as the common cold
- Allergies
- Respiratory tract irritants such as dust, smoke, or air pollution
- Change in temperature2
Do I have a dry cough?
Identifying the type of cough you have is an important step in getting the right treatment. A dry cough can also be described as non-productive, tight, tickly and irritating.2Â Some symptoms associated with dry coughs include:
- Nagging tickle in the airways
- No mucus associated with the cough
- The cough sounds dry
- May get worse at night and impact sleep quality2
If you have different symptoms you may have a chesty cough.
How to treat a dry cough?
For a dry cough, the aim is to reduce cough symptoms and to identify and treat the underlying cause of the dry cough.3Â A cough suppressant such as dextromethorphan may be used to reduce the urge to cough.2
Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant, which acts on the cough control centre to provide soothing relief from dry, irritating coughs.4
References
1Â Merck Manual (2020), Cough in Adults [accessed 6 May 2021] www.merckmanuals.com/home/lung-and-airway-disorders/symptoms-of-lung-disorders/cough-in-adults
2 Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (2015), Treating Coughs and Colds, inPharmation, 16:4: 1-19.
3 E Medicine Health (2020), Coughs [accessed 6 May 2021] https://www.emedicinehealth.com/coughs/article_em.htm#cough_definition_and_facts
4 Bisolvon Dry Oral Liquid CMI July 2019
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