What should you know about constant dry cough?

A cough may linger after a common cold or acute bronchitis while the airways settle. Acid reflux can irritate the throat, sometimes without obvious heartburn. Allergic rhinitis may cause mucus dripping from the nose, while asthma can cause cough with wheeze or chest tightness. Chronic cough, bronchiectasis, and other airway conditions need clinical assessment; bronchiolitis is mainly a concern in young children.

Record when coughing occurs, whether it follows meals or lying down, and any wheeze, breathlessness, fever, mucus, smoking or vaping exposure, and new medicines.

Avoid smoke, vaping aerosol, dust, and strong fragrances. Sip fluids, use a humidified environment if it feels helpful, and address nasal allergy triggers. Do not start antibiotics or suppressants without suitable advice, because treatment depends on the cause. Arrange review if the cough continues, disrupts sleep, or interferes with activity.

Seek urgent care for severe breathing difficulty, blue lips, chest pain, coughing blood, confusion, or sudden worsening. Prompt assessment is needed for unexplained weight loss, persistent fever, night sweats, or a cough in someone with significant lung disease or a weakened immune system.

Ask whether reflux, allergy, asthma, infection, airway disease, or a medicine could explain the cough, and whether a chest examination or breathing tests are appropriate.