Cough relief: practical options

A cough can be dry and tickly, or wet and mucus-producing. A cold or Acute Bronchitis may irritate the airways, while Allergic Rhinitis can cause drainage into the throat. Asthma, Acid Reflux and Chronic Cough have different treatment approaches. Relief is therefore not only about quietening the cough: a mucus-producing cough, wheeze or night-time pattern may provide clues about what needs attention.

Drink fluids, try a warm drink, rest your voice and avoid smoke, vaping, dust and strong scents. Keep the air comfortably humid without creating dampness or mould. Honey may soothe the throat for adults and older children, but it is not suitable for infants. A pharmacist can check whether an over-the-counter product fits your age, pregnancy status, allergies and current medicines. Never combine products with the same active ingredient or use someone else’s prescription.

Seek medical advice if the cough lasts longer than expected, keeps returning, prevents sleep, or is accompanied by fever, wheezing, chest pain, breathlessness, weight change or blood in mucus. Emergency care is needed for severe breathing difficulty, blue lips, confusion, fainting or rapidly worsening symptoms. Children, older adults and people with lung or heart conditions may need earlier review.

Is my cough dry or mucus-producing, and does that change treatment? Could asthma, reflux, allergy or infection be contributing? Which medicine is safe with my current treatments? When should I return if it does not improve?