Allergic rhinitis and cough

Managing the nasal allergy may settle this irritation, but cough should not automatically be attributed to allergy without considering its pattern and accompanying symptoms.

Allergen exposure can swell the nasal lining and increase watery secretions. Mucus moving down the back of the throat, mouth breathing and repeated throat clearing may then activate the cough reflex, particularly when lying down.

Asthma can also present with cough, commonly with wheeze, chest tightness, breathlessness, night waking or symptoms during exercise. Reflux, viral infection, sinus inflammation and some medicines are other possible explanations, so cough features matter.

Reduce exposure to a recognised allergen, drink fluids and consider saline nasal spray or a properly prepared saline rinse. Frequent sipping or swallowing can be gentler than forceful throat clearing when the throat feels coated.

A pharmacist can advise whether an antihistamine or regular nasal steroid suits you and can check other medicines and conditions. Direct nasal spray away from the central septum and use it consistently as instructed; improvement in nasal inflammation may not be immediate.

Call for urgent help if breathing is severely difficult, lips look blue or grey, chest pain is intense, you cough up more than streaks of blood, or swelling of the mouth or throat follows an exposure. Use a prescribed reliever inhaler according to your action plan while seeking help.

Book a medical review for cough that persists, worsens, disrupts sleep, recurs with exercise, or comes with wheeze, breathlessness, fever, weight loss or repeated chest infections. The clinician may listen to the chest and assess the nose, throat, medicines and exposure history.

Ask whether the cough pattern suggests upper-airway irritation, asthma, reflux or infection and whether breathing tests would help. Mention night-time coughing, exercise symptoms and any family or personal history of allergy.

Confirm how long to trial nasal treatment, what improvement to expect, and which new symptoms should prompt earlier review. Bring inhalers, nasal sprays or a medicine list so technique and possible side effects can be checked.