Continuous dry cough: what to know

A Common Cold or Acute Bronchitis can leave a tickling cough after the initial illness. Allergic Rhinitis may cause throat irritation from nasal drainage. Acid Reflux can trigger cough without obvious heartburn, particularly after meals or when lying down. Asthma may present with cough, wheeze or chest tightness, and the cough can be worse at night or with exercise. Bronchiectasis often involves mucus, although cough patterns differ. Bronchiolitis matters mainly in babies and young children, where breathing and feeding changes are more concerning. A cough lasting a long time is described as Chronic Cough and deserves a structured assessment.

Drink regularly, use warm fluids if helpful, and keep away from smoke, vaping aerosols, incense, dust and strong scents. Rest your voice and use a humidified environment when dry air is a trigger. Note when the cough occurs, what starts it, whether you wheeze, and whether food or lying down makes it worse. Use only medicines prescribed or recommended for you, particularly if you have asthma, are pregnant, or take other medicines. Antibiotics do not treat every cough.

Seek urgent help for severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, blue or grey lips, confusion, fainting or coughing blood. Arrange a medical review if the dry cough is persistent, interferes with sleep, follows a new medicine, or comes with fever, wheeze, unexplained weight loss or night sweats. A child with poor feeding, pauses in breathing or ribs visibly pulling in needs prompt assessment.

Ask whether your symptoms fit reflux, allergy, asthma, infection or another airway cause; whether your medicines may contribute; and whether you need breathing tests, a chest examination or further evaluation. Share your smoking or vaping exposure and any workplace irritants.