What should you know about persistent dry cough?

A dry cough produces little or no mucus. It may follow a common cold or acute bronchitis, or accompany allergic rhinitis, asthma, acid reflux, bronchiectasis, or chronic cough. Wheezing, nasal symptoms, heartburn, a sour taste, breathlessness, and cough triggers such as dust or cold air provide useful clues. The cough itself does not identify one condition.

Drink fluids, avoid smoke and strong fragrances, and use a humidified environment if dry air irritates your throat. Warm drinks may soothe the urge to cough. Review medicines with a clinician rather than stopping a prescribed treatment yourself. Record when the cough occurs, what triggers it, and whether sleep or exercise is affected.

Book an appointment if the cough persists, repeatedly disturbs sleep, or limits activity. Seek urgent help for difficulty breathing, blue or grey lips, chest pain, coughing blood, sudden confusion, or rapid worsening. A clinician may listen to your chest and decide whether breathing tests, imaging, or treatment for a specific cause is needed.

Ask whether reflux, allergy, asthma, infection, or a medicine could explain the cough, and what symptoms should prompt urgent review. Bring your trigger and symptom diary, including smoking or vaping exposure and recent illness.