A dry cough is a cough that doesn’t produce any phlegm or mucus. Dry coughs usually come along with an annoying tickly-feeling throat and are certainly no fun! There are a number of reasons you might have a dry cough, but they are most commonly associated with viruses and infections and go away on their own after 3 weeks or less.

Here are 10 effective ways to get rid of a bothersome dry cough.

1

Take hot showers.

  1. The steam from a hot shower can help reduce coughing. Get in the shower and turn it on hot enough to generate steam without burning yourself. Make sure the bathroom door is closed to keep all the steam in. Feel free to do this for as long as is comfortable or multiple times a day.[1]
    • Steam can also help make a dry cough more productive. If you feel like the steam loosens some mucus in your chest, try to cough it up to get rid of it.
    • You can also just turn the shower on really hot and sit or stand in the bathroom breathing in the steam for a few minutes.
    • All kinds of warm, moist air help relieve dry coughs. Dry coughs are irritated by cold, dry air.
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5

Have a spoonful of honey.

  1. Honey has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Measure out about 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of honey. Eat it off the spoon to help relieve your coughing symptoms and soothe your throat.[5]
    • Honey contains sugar and calories, so try not to have more than 2 tbsp (42 mL) of honey per day to avoid exceeding the recommended amount of added sugars in your diet.
    • Don’t give honey to children younger than 1 year old because of the risk of botulism.
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10

See a doctor if your cough lasts longer than 3 weeks.

About This Article

Joshua Batt, DO
Medically reviewed by:
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
This article was medically reviewed by Joshua Batt, DO. Dr. Batt is an Emergency Medicine Physician at Riverside Community Hospital in California. He received his D.O. from the Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2012. He is a member of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and has over 5 years of emergency medicine experience. This article has been viewed 1,307,481 times.
16 votes - 88%
Co-authors: 55
Updated: August 25, 2021
Views: 1,307,481
Categories: Coughs

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

Article SummaryX

To get rid of a dry cough, start by drinking plenty of fluids to keep your throat moist and hydrated. Plain, warm water is one of the most soothing options, and you can gargle warm salt water a few times per day to relieve pain and decrease inflammation in your throat. You can also take hot, steamy showers, which will help moisten and loosen phlegm, making it easier to cough up. Using a humidifier and taking an over-the-counter antihistamine are also helpful options. For tips on pinpointing what's causing your dry cough, read on!

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