Monday, March 25, 2024
HomeHow To Treat Dry Cough From Allergies

How To Treat Dry Cough From Allergies

No : Not All Colds Are The Same

Allergy Symptoms & Treatments : How to Treat Cough From Allergies

Coughs usually start with a viral upper-respiratory infection . But sometimes the cold is not as dramatic as people might expect, says Annette Cameron, MD, a pediatrician. You dont necessarily have the full burden of symptoms. There might just be a slight runny nose, congestion, maybe a low-grade fever and then, this cough, she says. The cough tends to linger the longest and can last for up to two weeks. This is when parents come in and ask, Why is my child coughing when there are no other symptoms?

The answer, Dr. Cameron often tells them, is that there are other mild symptoms they arent recognizingor they forgot about them as theyve all gone away, except for the cough.

Common Characteristics Of A Dry Cough

It can likely resemble the following if youre experiencing a dry cough.

A nagging tickle in the throat

An absence of mucus

A cough that sounds unproductive

Causes poor sleep

A lack of wheezing or cramming

Dry cough indications may last a week or two and must clear up within three weeks, at the greatest. After a biological illness, some coughs can last up to eight weeks. Though, a cough that firewood around for more than eight weeks is careful chronic and should be treated professionally.

How To Treat Dry Hacking Cough: Symptoms And Causes

Dr. Alejandro Junger on May 3, 2021

There are few sounds more rattling than a dry, hacking cough. No one likes to hear their loved ones hacking over and over, nor do we like to deal with dry, hacking coughs ourselves. To make matters worse, dry coughs seem like they take forever to go away.

While dry coughs can be frustrating to deal with, there are some ways in which you can treat these coughs depending on the cause of the condition. As a physician, advisor and partner of Genexa, the first clean medicine company, I believe its important to know what causes dry hacking coughs in both children and adults and some homeopathic remedies you can pursue to alleviate the symptoms and fix the cause.

You May Like: Zyrtec Vs Cetirizine

How To Treat An Allergy Cough At Home

Some ways to treat an allergy cough at home include:

  • Taking over-the-counter medications: Allergy medicines, such as antihistamines, nasal sprays, and decongestants, can help reduce the inflammation and mucus production that can lead to a cough.
  • Using a humidifier or inhaling steam from a shower:Humidifiers can help clear congestion and soothe throat irritation.
  • Using an air purifier: A high-quality air purifier can help reduce the number of allergens and irritants in the air inside a persons home or office space.
  • Taking prescription medications: Nasal sprays and antihistamines can help alleviate an allergic cough affecting the upper respiratory tract. Inhalers are usually needed to treat an allergic cough affecting the lower airways.

Medicine For Dry Cough

Dry Cough Home Remedies for Kids

Medication for dry cough should be prescribed by the doctor, who will evaluate the type of cough. He or She will prescribe the medication most appropriate to the person. These medications can be taken as syrups, drops or pills, and can have action on the brain to control the frequency and intensity of the cough. This will also help to alleviate other symptoms related to the cough, like throat irritation and general malaise.

Other medications for persistent dry coughs or allergy-related coughs are:

  • Levodropropizine: This is an antitussive found in liquid form, in concentrations of 30 mg/ml or 6 mg/ml. They help to combat dry cough that causes throat irritation, can can be used for adults and children over the age of 2
  • Dropropizine: It can be found in syrup form at a concentration of 3 mg/ml, in pediatric syrup in 1.5 mg/ml, or as drops, with a concentration of 30 mg/ml. It can be indicated for adults and children over the age of 2.
  • Dextromethorphan: It can be found in syrup form in a concentration of 2 mg/ml, and is usually indicated for adults or children over the age of 12.
  • Clobutinol + Doxylamine: It can be taken as.a syrup or oral solution with drops by adults or children over the age of 2. Dosing will depend on age.

Another medication with antitussive properties that can also help with throat irritation diphenhydramine chloride. Learn more about other medications you can take for a cough.

Don’t Miss: Robitussin For Allergies

Why Is My Dry Cough Worse At Night

A dry cough that is worse at night may due to gastroesophageal reflux disease , asthma, and post-nasal drip. GERD can worsen at night when you lie down as stomach contents, particularly stomach acid, can reflux out of the stomach and cause cough. Asthma can be due to cold, dry air often present at night. Post-nasal drip can also cause more coughing when you lie flat.

When Should You Seek Medical Advice About A Dry Cough

You should you seek medical advice if:

  • you start to cough up blood or copious amounts of mucus
  • you are short of breath or wheezy
  • the cough is mainly at night
  • you have associated chest pain
  • you have a fever
  • you are a cigarette smoker
  • you have a hoarse voice
  • the cough is associated with vomiting or a choking sensation
  • you have other symptoms such as an ongoing headache, sore ears or a rash
  • you have recently lost weight or have general muscle aches
  • the cough is in an infant aged 6 months or younger
  • the cough has lasted longer than 10 days, with little or no improvement or
  • you have high blood pressure, a heart complaint, respiratory illness , gastrointestinal problems or are taking other medicines.

Read Also: Does Twix Contain Peanuts

Allergies And Environmental Causes

Dust and pollen and mold, oh my!

Allergens and environmental irritants have been known to trigger a dry cough, thanks to their ability to anger your airways.

Other symptoms can vary and may include watery eyes, runny nose, or congestion depending what triggers your reaction.

Other common airborne irritants include:

  • smoke

Diagnosis Of An Allergic Cough In Children

Flu & Allergy Treatments : Treating a Dry Cough

To reveal the real cause of an allergic cough can only the doctor-allergist. For this purpose, a child’s examination is carried out, including a whole set of laboratory tests , finding out the state of respiratory organs and the pathological processes occurring in them , as well as allergen tests.

But the paramount task of diagnosing an allergic cough in children is to determine the allergen that causes the disease. And here comes to the rescue a proven method – allergic skin tests . They are made on pollen of plants, household allergens, and also on medicinal irritants – to children at the age of four years and older.

Another method of diagnosis in allergology is the enzyme immunoassay . This method allows to detect and measure the number of specific antigens that the body produces and releases into the blood plasma in response to the penetration of foreign cells. By the type of antigen it is possible to find out which allergen caused such a reaction of the organism.

The most modern method of diagnosing allergies, including the diagnosis of allergic cough in children, is the method of multiple chemiluminescence – MAST. Comparing the allergen detected in the patient with a whole set of standard allergens, you can put the most accurate diagnosis, even with hidden forms of allergy.

Read Also: Is Claritin A Antihistamine

What Is An Allergy Cough

Caused by your immune systems response to an allergen, an allergy cough treatment has to do with eliminating the allergen from your environment. Rather than an infection, an allergy cough is usually responsive to home remedies. Asthma coughs are akin to allergy coughs, and if you are wheezing with a tight feeling in your chest or breath shortness, you could have that. During a bout of an allergy cough, the affected person may get cold symptoms with sneezing too, so often, you may find it hard to detect that it’s an allergy cough youre having. This causes people to take incorrect medication.

Symptoms Of Dry Mouth

Its simple to acknowledge the symptoms of dry mouth. They can include a dry sensation in your throat that makes it tough for you to swallow, in addition to problems speaking, chewing or tasting your food. You might also have a dry tongue and split lips, in addition to sores or infections in your mouth tissues, including the sides of the tongue and the within your cheeks.

Experiencing any of these symptoms would be a need to visit your doctor. If youre taking medication for your allergic reactions, its possible this is making the issue worse. Rather of asking your doctor can allergic reactions cause dry mouth? it may be in your interest to discuss your antihistamine instead.

Recommended Reading: Is Cetirizine Non Drowsy

Recommended Reading: Loratadine For Allergic Reaction

Diagnosis Of An Allergy Cough

A qualified allergist is the professional who is equipped to diagnose your allergy cough, offering guidelines for appropriate treatment. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms, take a detailed case history and conduct some tests to determine whether you are affected by an allergy cough. This is the procedure that aids in the identification of significant triggers that specifically affect you. This is the only way that treatment can be properly targeted so you get relief. Skin testing is a common form of testing to determine causes of an allergy cough. It is quick and accurate. In other instances, some blood tests may be recommended in addition to skin testing, or instead of it. You may also have to take a breathing test.

What Is The Treatment For Cough Symptoms

13 Effective Home Remedies for Allergic Rhinitis With ...

The treatment for an acute and chronic cough will depend largely on its severity and underlying cause.

Acute Cough

The treatment of an acute cough is directed primarily at decreasing the cough in addition to treating the underlying cause. Symptomatic cough relief can be provided by over-the-counter or prescription cough suppressants or cough syrups.

  • Severe coughs or coughs that interfere with sleep may need remedies that include narcotic medications. If these are prescribed, avoid alcohol, driving, and operating any heavy machinery while using the medicine.
  • If a bacterial infection is suspected the doctor will often prescribe antibiotics. People suspected of having a viral infection will not benefit from antibiotics, and will receive treatments directed at their symptoms only.
  • Elderly people, people with severe bacterial or viral infections, and people with weakened immune systems may require admission to the hospital to manage the underlying problem.

The treatment of a chronic cough will also be directed at treating the underlying condition. It is important to recognize that treatment may be difficult, may employ multiple approaches, and may not completely eliminate the cough.

Also Check: Is Cetirizine Non Drowsy

When Should You Be Worried About A Dry Cough As A Sign Of Covid

If you have trouble breathing, persistent chest pain or pressure, new confusion, blue lips, or cannot stay awake, seek medical attention ASAP.

If you develop a dry cough, its very possible that you could simply be dealing with allergies, being inside all day , or other environmental factors.

But it may also be pointing to COVID-19so its important to pay attention to other signs of the virus, too. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those symptoms can include but are not limited to:

  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

  • Fatigue

  • New loss of taste or smell

  • Sore throat

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Diarrhea

Again, you dont necessarily need to have a dry cough in order to have COVID-19. Its usually a dry cough, but a productive one can also occur, Richard Watkins, M.D., an infectious disease physician and professor of internal medicine at the Northeast Ohio Medical University.

Any cough thats linked with a fever over 100.4° F should be concerning, Dr. Parikh says. Ditto if you happen to develop a cough without a fever and youre not sure whats causing it, says Thomas Russo, M.D., professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York. If you have a cough or any of the symptoms of COVID-19, its really best to test yourself, just to be safe, Dr. Russo says, whether you do it with an at-home test, your doctors office, or a testing facility.

How Did My Dog Get Kennel Cough At Home

If you suspect your dogs hacking cough is kennel cough, you may wonder how he caught it. The name is misleading, as it implies your dog only catches it when you put him in a boarding kennel.

However, kennel cough is a very contagious disease. It is also airborne. Your doctor of veterinary medicine will tell you that a sick dog can spread it via any shared object.

This includes water and food bowls or toys.

You May Like: Latex Allergies Foods To Avoid

Whats The Difference Between A Dry Cough And A Wet Cough

A cough is your bodys way of clearing the lungs and airways of irritants so you can breathe better.

When you have an illness that affects your respiratory system, you may cough up mucus. This is a wet cough. Healthcare providers consider a wet cough to be productive because it clears phlegm from the lungs and airways. If too much phlegm builds up in the lungs, you may become short of breath and develop other problems.

When you have a dry cough, nothing comes up. This unproductive cough doesnt open up the lungs or air passages.

What Symptoms Can Develop If You Eat Too Many Cough Drops

Flu & Allergy Treatments : How to Stop a Cough

Youll probably experience some type of indigestion or a stomach ache before any more serious symptoms of overdosing on cough drops occur.

If you manage to eat a very large amount of cough drops, you might experience the following symptoms:

  • stomach pain
  • lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements

Luckily, his symptoms disappeared after he stopped eating menthol cough drops.

Keep in mind that cough drops also contain a fair amount of sugar. Eating an excessive amount of cough drops on a regular basis may also lead to weight gain over time. People with diabetes should use extra caution when eating cough drops as they can cause blood sugar to rise.

Sugar-free varieties of cough drops are available, but eating too many of them can have a laxative effect. This is especially true for cough drops that contain a sugar substitute known as

Recommended Reading: Is Twix Peanut Free

Substances That Interact With Robitussin Dm

The active ingredients in Robitussin DM can interact with other drugs, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking.

Drugs that can interact with dextromethorphan and guaifenesin include drugs from the monoamine oxidase inhibitor class. These drugs treat a variety of psychiatric conditions, including depression and Parkinsons disease. They include:

  • isocarboxazid
  • hallucinations
  • seizures
  • coma

In cases of overdose, call your local poison control center. If the overdose causes seizures or coma, call 911.

Does Asthma Cause Dry Coughing

Yes, asthma can cause a dry cough. This type is often called cough-variant asthma and can be due to the same triggers as normal asthma. Triggers include dust, cold air, stress, pollen, and a change of seasons. Cough-variant asthma is confirmed by its responsiveness to standard treatments for asthma. If you take your asthma treatments as prescribed and continue to cough, you may have something other than cough-variant asthma.

Recommended Reading: Claritian

When To Contact Your Health Care Provider

If youve tried all of the above and your cough continues, its a good idea to make an appointment with your health care provider to rule out a more serious condition. Talk to your health care provider if you have any of the followingsymptoms along with your cough:

  • Fever higher than 101°F or 38°C
  • Chills
  • Yellow or green phlegm that has a foul odor
  • Dehydration

Pharmacists Advice For Using Robitussin Dm

Dry Cough Remedies To Get an immediate Relief...

Robitussin DM may be the drug to help ease your chest congestion and cough. However, some people may need adjusted dosages or other remedies for their coughs.

For example, dextromethorphan can increase the risk of drowsiness in older people. So, if youre an older adult, you may need to use a lowered dose of Robitussin DM. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor to find out an appropriate dose.

Also, dont use Robitussin DM for chest congestion that produces a large amount of phlegm. Excessive phlegm can be a sign of infection and should be treated with other medication. You also shouldnt use Robitussin DM for coughs related to:

  • smoking

Read Also: Claritin 2 Year Old

How Long Should A Cough Last

The prognosis for a cough varies depending on the underlying cause. After the cause has been addressed, most acute coughs will get better within 2-3 weeks. People who smoke and have a cough can expect a longer time period before the cough resolves. People with chronic cough often have more varied results, and people with chronic lung disease often have periods of resolution in addition to periods of worsening of the cough. Again, smoking will make a chronic cough last longer and should be avoided.

Allergic Cough: How To Treat

After using a medical examination to find out the cause of the cough, you will have to make every possible effort to eliminate the allergen. If you are allergic to wool, then, it is better to part with your pets: health is more important. If allergic to flowering trees or pollen of plants, then reduce the time that you will spend in the fresh air. If you have an allergic cough to the house dust, you will inevitably have to become more clean: a wet cleaning twice a day, an ionizer of air will help to maintain the necessary atmosphere in the apartment.

In order to quickly eliminate an unpleasant allergic cough, take antihistamines: they will not cure you definitively, but within 10-15 minutes will calm your throat. Lozenges and cough syrups will also help. Supporters of alternative recipes can try to cook a decoction of laurel leaves, spoons of flower honey and a teaspoon of soda. Chilled drink can be drunk several times a day, immediately after a fit of coughing.

An allergic cough whose treatment is started in a timely manner has a good prognosis, as this prevents the development of more serious diseases, such as chronic obstructive bronchitis and bronchial asthma.

You May Like: Claritin 24 Hour Non Drowsy Side Effects

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular