Itchy cough: what to know

A tickle in the throat may follow allergic rhinitis, mucus draining from the nose, or a common cold. Acute bronchitis can leave the airways sensitive after an infection. Acid reflux may trigger cough after meals, when bending, or when lying down, sometimes with a sour taste or hoarse voice. Asthma can cause cough with wheeze, chest tightness, or breathlessness, while chronic cough needs a structured review. Bronchiectasis may produce a long-term cough with phlegm. Bronchiolitis is mainly an illness in babies and young children. The sound or itch alone cannot identify the cause.

Drink fluids, avoid smoke and strong fragrances, and use a humidified environment only if it is clean and safe. Honey may soothe a cough for adults and children over one year, but never give honey to an infant. If reflux seems linked, note meal timing and avoid lying down soon after eating. Rest and monitor whether the cough is dry or produces phlegm. Do not start antibiotics or an inhaler without professional advice; a pharmacist or clinician can match treatment to the likely cause.

Seek urgent help for severe breathing difficulty, blue or grey lips, confusion, choking, chest pain, or coughing blood. Get prompt medical advice for a baby with fast or laboured breathing, poor feeding, or unusual sleepiness. Arrange assessment for a cough that persists, repeatedly disrupts sleep, comes with wheeze or breathlessness, or follows a pattern of recurrent chest infections.

Could this fit allergy, reflux, asthma, or an infection? How does the cough affect the assessment? Do I need lung-function testing or another examination? Which warning signs should prompt urgent help?