Coughs are typically broken down into two categories: productive and non-productive. Productive coughs help bring up mucus while non-productive coughs are dry and occur when the throat has become inflamed, according to Steady Health. Causes of dry cough include exposure to a cold and flu virus, breathing in allergens, side effects of medications and lung infections. Speak to your doctor if you are suffering from a persistent dry cough that lasts longer than two weeks.
Step 1
Add moisture to the air. A humidifier can add water to the air and help you breathe easier when suffering from a dry cough, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Step 2
Drink plenty of water to ease a dry cough. This helps ease your throat irritation. Aim for eight to 10 glasses of water per day.
Step 3
Gargle with a saltwater solution. Mix salt with a cup of warm water. Swish the solution in your mouth for several minutes before spitting it out. Repeat throughout the day to treat the dry cough.
Step 4
Take a cough syrup to treat a dry cough. The Centers for Disease Control suggests asking a pharmacist which type of cough suppressant product you should buy.
Step 5
Chew on a piece of fresh ginger. Steady Health advises chewing on a sprig of ginger with a small amount of salt sprinkled on it to ease your dry cough. As an alternative, you can use the ginger to make a tea flavored with honey.
Step 6
Ease the throat with a lozenge. Although lozenges do not cure a dry cough, they can soothe the throat when symptoms appear. If you do not have any lozenges available, the same effect can be achieved by sucking on a piece of hard candy.
Tips and Warnings
- The Centers for Disease Control advises against using cough suppressants on children under the age of 4.
Things You'll Need
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 cup warm water
- Fresh ginger
- Lozenges
- Humidifier
- Cough suppressant
