Can allergic rhinitis cause chronic cough?

Allergic rhinitis causes swelling and extra mucus in the nasal passages after exposure to triggers such as dust, pollen, mould or animal dander. Mucus can trickle down the back of the throat, especially when lying down, and provoke repeated throat clearing or coughing. Nasal blockage may also encourage mouth breathing, which dries and irritates the throat. A cough linked with rhinitis is often dry or tickly, but mucus can make it sound chesty. The cough may continue while the nasal inflammation remains active. A persistent cough can also have other causes, including asthma, reflux, infection or some medicines, so the pattern and examination matter.

Note when the cough appears and whether it follows exposure to a particular indoor or outdoor trigger. Reducing known triggers, keeping the bedroom free of dust build-up and changing clothes after heavy outdoor exposure may help. Saline nasal rinsing can clear mucus when performed with sterile, distilled or previously boiled and cooled water. A clinician or pharmacist can advise whether an antihistamine or a nasal corticosteroid is suitable; nasal sprays work best when used with the correct technique and consistently as directed. Avoid starting antibiotics for an allergy-related cough without an assessment. If cough continues, a clinician may listen to your chest and consider other explanations.

Arrange a medical assessment if the cough persists, keeps disturbing sleep, or returns repeatedly despite controlling nasal symptoms. Seek urgent help for severe breathing difficulty, blue or grey lips, confusion, coughing blood, chest pain, or a sudden worsening. A high fever, marked weakness, or wheezing also needs prompt attention. For a child, urgent assessment is needed if breathing is hard, ribs pull in with each breath, or the child cannot drink normally.

Could post-nasal mucus explain my cough, or should we check for asthma or reflux? Which nasal treatment suits my symptoms and how should I use it? What changes would mean that I need a chest assessment?