A barking cough: what it may mean

A harsh, barking cough is often linked with irritation near the voice box, commonly during a viral illness. A cold can precede it. Other airway conditions may produce cough, wheeze or mucus, including asthma and acute bronchitis. Acid reflux or nasal drainage can irritate the throat too. The sound cannot identify the cause by itself; noisy breathing when resting, a hoarse voice and visible effort are more concerning clues.

Keep the person calm and upright, offer small sips of fluid if swallowing is comfortable, and avoid smoke and strong scents. Do not force food or fluids if breathing or swallowing is difficult. Do not use steam from boiling water, as burns can occur. Contact a clinician for advice about children, recurrent episodes or symptoms that persist, and use prescribed medicines only as directed.

Call emergency services for struggling to breathe, ribs pulling in, blue or grey lips, drooling with difficulty swallowing, pauses in breathing, unusual sleepiness, or harsh noisy breathing while resting. Urgent assessment is also needed if the cough began suddenly after choking or exposure to an allergen. Do not leave a person with worsening breathing alone.

Was the sound present only during coughing or also while breathing in? Did it begin with a cold, choking event or allergy exposure? What signs should prompt emergency help, and is an inhaler or other treatment appropriate?