Dry Cough That Won't Go Away: Causes, Symptoms and Remedies

Experiencing a persistent dry and tickly cough? Tickly coughs can be quite bothersome and persistent. It's important to note that a dry cough can have serious underlying causes that may worsen over time. This reflex, triggered by irritants or inflammation, should not be underestimated. Read on to gain insight into the precise origins of a dry cough and when it's advisable to consult a healthcare professional.

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What is a Tickly Cough?

A tickly cough closely resembles a dry cough, devoid of mucus or phlegm expulsion. Unlike a chesty cough, there is no mucus buildup or lung congestion involved.

This type of cough arises from inflammation in the upper respiratory tract, causing a sensation of tickling at the back of your throat.

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Understanding the Different Types of Dry Cough

1. Persistent Cough

When a cough lingers for an extended period, it qualifies as a chronic cough. Characteristics include:

• Tends to peak during the day
• Can result in fits of coughing
• May be painful and stubborn
• Can lead to strained muscles or incontinence in elderly individuals

Multiple factors can trigger this, including allergies, inflammation, or medication side effects.

2. Tickly Cough

What's behind that irritating, tickling sensation in the throat? It can stem from:

• Inflammation caused by a cold or flu virus
• Atmospheric conditions like climate or pollution
• Post-nasal drip — where mucus drips down from the sinuses into the throat

3. Barking Cough

Named for its resemblance to a dog's bark, this cough:

• Can occur during the day or night
• May include wheezing
• Typically results from inflammation following a cold or flu
• Can be quite painful

4. Plum Pit Cough

Imagine feeling as though there's a persistent lump in your throat that won't budge, accompanied by a slightly acidic taste when you cough. This sensation is frequently linked to GORD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), where stomach acid rises into the oesophagus.

5. Wheezy Cough

This type of cough tends to worsen at night or upon awakening in the morning. It's accompanied by a wheezing sound resulting from the constriction of the airways (bronchospasm), often linked to asthma.

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Dry Cough and Asthma

Important: Approximately 10 percent of individuals with asthma remain undiagnosed. If you're experiencing a severe cough, schedule a routine health check-up to determine whether asthma is a contributing factor.

Asthmatic coughs often manifest with a wheezing sound, a consequence of how asthma impacts the airways. Inflammation can lead to constriction and narrowing of the airways, resulting in reduced airflow.

Common signs of asthma include:

• A cough that worsens during exertion or physical activity
• Shortness of breath
• A sensation of chest tightness
• Overall feeling of fatigue

Allergic Asthma

Allergic asthma is triggered by allergens such as:

• 🌿 Dust
• 🐕 Pet dander
• 🌸 Pollen
• 🍄 Mould

These allergens can induce inflammation in the lung's airways, leading to breathing difficulties, coughing, or full-blown asthma attacks. It may also be exacerbated by cold weather, exposure to fumes, smoke, or strong perfume odours.

👉 Book Allergy Testing

Post-Viral Asthma

If your asthma symptoms worsen following a cold, flu, or recent illness, you may be experiencing post-viral asthma. This is partially attributed to the immune system's inflammatory response to an infection, causing swelling of the airways.

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Tickly Cough Symptoms

The primary symptom is the sensation of an itch in the throat, which triggers a natural cough reflex or sneezing. As the cough persists, additional discomforts may include:

• Sore throat
• Chest muscle pain
• Runny nose
• Hoarse voice

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Causes of Dry Cough

Dry coughs can be caused by numerous factors:

• 🦠 Viruses — cold, flu, and respiratory infections
• 🚬 Smoking
• 💨 Asthma
• 🔥 Acid reflux or GORD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
• 🫁 Respiratory conditions — bronchitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis
• 🌼 Allergies or hay fever — triggered by dust, pollution, pet dander, pollen
• 🌡️ Environmental factors — dry climates, temperature changes
• 🗣️ Laryngitis — inflammation of the larynx causing voice loss
• 💧 Post-nasal drip
• 💊 Medications — particularly ACE inhibitors

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How Long Does a Tickly Cough Last?

In most cases, tickly coughs do not require immediate medical attention and tend to resolve independently within 3-4 weeks.

⚠️ Seek medical advice if your cough persists beyond 3-4 weeks or worsens. Prolonged coughs may indicate underlying conditions such as asthma, heartburn, or even heart failure.

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⚠️ When a Dry Cough is Serious

If you have a persistent dry cough that won't go away, it's crucial to see a GP. While relatively rare, a chronic dry cough can be a symptom of serious and potentially life-threatening conditions:

❤️ Heart Failure

• A dry cough can indicate heart failure from fluid accumulation in the lungs
• Occurs when the heart isn't pumping blood efficiently
• Coughing often worsens in the morning
• May lead to breathlessness upon awakening

👉 Book Cardiac Screening

🫁 Pulmonary Embolism

• Involves a blood clot in an artery within the lungs
• Clots typically form elsewhere and travel to the lungs
• Symptoms: coughing (possibly with blood), severe chest pain
• Urgent treatment is essential — can be fatal if left untreated

🎗️ Lung Cancer

• Early stages may not show noticeable symptoms
• A persistent, new, unrelenting cough is one of the earliest signs
• Additional symptoms: hoarse throat, wheezing, shortness of breath, frequent lung infections

Don't hesitate to seek medical guidance if you have concerns about your cough or its underlying causes. Early diagnosis is essential for appropriate treatment.

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How to Deal with a Tickly Cough

While there's no instant cure, you can manage symptoms with these top tips:

✅ Home Remedies

• Avoid dry, dusty, or polluted environments — these can trigger coughing fits
• Gargle with lukewarm saltwater — 4 times daily to reduce throat irritation
• Take a hot bath or shower — inhaling steam provides moisture to ease dryness
• Use throat lozenges or cough drops — stimulates saliva production and keeps throat moist
• Rest your voice — avoid talking excessively if your throat is sore
• Avoid known triggers — dust, allergens, smoke until your cough clears
• Stay hydrated — drink plenty of warm fluids like herbal tea with honey

💊 Over-the-Counter Remedies

If your cough persists, consider using over-the-counter cough medicines. Many contain glycerol, which is effective for tickly coughs and can also help alleviate a sore throat.

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When to See a Doctor

It's crucial to prioritise your health and not ignore signs of illness. See a healthcare professional if:

• Your cough has lasted more than 3-4 weeks
• You're experiencing shortness of breath
• You're coughing up blood
• You have chest pain
• You're experiencing unexplained weight loss
• Your symptoms are getting worse rather than better

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