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HUMAN BIOLOGY Nervous system

What can cause a dry

cough?
Medically reviewed by Meredith Goodwin,
MD, FAAFP — By — Updated on January
22, 2024

Common causes Diagnosis Treatment

Home remedies Prevention tips
When to see a doctor FAQs Summary

Coughing is a natural reflex for

clearing the throat and lungs of
irritants. Infection is a common
cause of a dry cough. Other
possible causes include postnasal
drip, asthma, idiopathic pulmonary
fibrosis, and more.

A dry or sometimes tickly cough is a cough

that does not bring up any phlegm or mucus.
Dry coughs may cause a tickling sensation
and are often due to irritation in the throat.

Doctors often refer to dry coughs as non-

productive coughs. In contrast, a wet, or
productive, cough brings up phlegm that
helps clear the airways of irritants.

Doctors also classify coughs as either acute

or chronic. A cough is chronic if it lasts
longer than 8 weeks, according to the
American Lung Association.

In this article, we describe some of the

possible causes of a dry cough and the
treatment options. We also discuss
diagnosis, general treatments, prevention
tips, and when to see a doctor.
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Common causes

wilpunt/Getty Images

Various infections, diseases, and other

factors can lead to a dry cough.

COVID-19 and other coronavirus

infections

COVID-19 is one disease that results from

infection with a coronavirus. Others include
severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
and Middle East respiratory syndrome
(MERS). They can all involve a dry cough.

COVID-19 is caused by the coronavirus

SARS-CoV-2.

The most common symptoms  are:

a fever

a cough, which may be dry

fatigue

People may also have:

body aches

nasal congestion, a runny nose, or both

a sore throat

diarrhea

changes in the senses of taste and

smell

In time, a person may develop chest pain

and difficulty breathing. COVID-19 can be
fatal for some people. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 
recommend vaccinations for most people
aged 5 years and over to reduce the risk of
developing symptoms.

Learn more about COVID-19 and other

coronaviruses.

Treatment

There is currently no cure for COVID-19, but

acetaminophen may help  relieve
symptoms. People should rest at home and
keep as far away from other people as
possible.

Some people have an underlying condition

that increases their risk of developing severe
illness. For these people, a doctor may
prescribe :

Paxlovid (Nirmatrelvir with Ritonavi):

Paxlovid is an antiviral that people can
take at home by mouth. They need to
start it within 5 days of symptoms
appearing. It is suitable for people
aged 12 years and over.

Remdesivir (Veklury): Remdesivir is an

antiviral that comes as an intravenous
infusion given at a healthcare facility.
People need to start taking it within 7
days of symptoms appearing, for 3
days in a row.

Molnupiravir (Lagevrio): Molnupiravir is

an oral antiviral for adults. People need
to start it within 5 days of symptoms
appearing.

If a person experiences a medical

emergency, such as breathing difficulties,
they need emergency medical attention.
Someone should call 911  and ask for
advice. The person may need to spend time
in the hospital.

Learn about treatment options for COVID-19.

Asthma

Asthma is a long-term lung condition that

leads to inflammation and narrowing of the
airways. One of the most common symptoms
of asthma is coughing, which is often worse
at night or early in the morning when a
person first wakes up.

The cough is often productive, meaning a

person brings up phlegm. However, in a type
of asthma called cough-variant asthma, the
main symptom people experience is a dry
cough.

Other symptoms of asthma can include:

wheezing

shortness of breath

chest tightness or pain

Learn about home remedies for wheezing.

Treatment

There is currently no cure for asthma, so

treatment focuses on relieving symptoms
and preventing future attacks.

Typically, doctors prescribe the following

treatments for people with asthma:

a quick-relief inhaler containing a

bronchodilator, such as a short-acting
beta-2-agonist, for treating symptoms
when they flare-up

long-term medications, such as a low

dose corticosteroid inhaler, to reduce
inflammation and lower the risk of
future attacks

Learn about treatments for asthma.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a

condition in which scar tissue develops
inside a person’s lungs. As the scar tissue
thickens, it makes breathing in air
increasingly difficult. The term idiopathic
means that doctors do not know exactly
what causes the condition.

One of the most common symptoms of IPF is

a persistent, dry cough. Other symptoms can
include:

shortness of breath

loss of appetite and gradual weight

loss

fatigue

clubbing, or widening and rounding of

the tips of the fingers or toes

changes in nail shapes

In time, lung scarring can occur, leading to

further complications.

Treatment

There is currently no cure for IPF, so the aim

of treatment is to relieve a person’s
symptoms and slow disease progression.

Treatment options for IPF include:

medications such as pirfenidone and

nintedanib

oxygen therapy

pulmonary rehabilitation, which is a

program of exercises, training, and
support for people with long-term lung
conditions

lung transplantation

Learn about lung scarring and idiopathic

pulmonary fibrosis.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a

condition where acid leaks from the stomach
back up into the esophagus, or food pipe.

According to a 2015 review, GERD causes a

chronic, dry cough in up to 40%  of people
with the condition.

GERD typically also causes a number of

gastrointestinal symptoms, which may
include:

heartburn

nausea

vomiting

pain or difficulty when swallowing

bad breath

However, research suggests that up 75% 

of people with GERD-related cough may not
experience these gastrointestinal symptoms.
This can make it difficult for doctors to
diagnose GERD in people with just a chronic,
dry cough.

Treatment

Many people can manage symptoms of

GERD through lifestyle changes, such as :

eating multiple small meals each day

instead of three large meals

avoiding eating too soon before bed

limiting or avoiding foods that trigger or

worsen symptoms, such as fatty or
spicy foods

maintaining a moderate weight

quitting tobacco smoking

reducing or avoiding alcohol intake

Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription

medicines, such as antacids, H2-receptor
blockers, and proton pump inhibitors, may
help relieve or prevent symptoms. In some
cases, surgery may be necessary.

Postnasal drip

Postnasal drip is when mucus from the nose

and sinuses drips down the back of the
throat.

When the mucus drips into the throat, it can

trigger a cough. Although this cough is often
productive, it can sometimes also be dry.
This will depend on how much mucus there
is and how fast it is draining.

Postnasal drip may occur with a sinus

infection, GERD, or a nasal allergy, such as
hay fever.

Other symptoms of postnasal drip may

include:

runny nose

a feeling of something in the back of

the throat

a sore throat

frequent swallowing

Treatment

Treatment options for postnasal drip include:

decongestants

nasal sprays

nasal and sinus irrigation

drinking fluids

treatment for GERD, if appropriate

treatment for an underlying condition,

for example, an infection or allergy

Upper respiratory infections

Upper respiratory infections, such as

common colds and the flu, can cause acute
coughing. The cough often starts out
productive. However, it may become dry as
a person recovers from the infections.

Other symptoms of upper respiratory

infections may include:

a fever

muscle aches

runny nose

sore throat

Treatment

A person can usually treat  viral upper

respiratory infections at home with:

rest

staying hydrated

taking OTC medications to relieve

congestion, aches, and fever

taking antihistamines, if a doctor

advises it

A doctor may prescribe an antiviral

medication for people with the flu or COVID-
19. For a bacterial infection, such as strep
throat, they may prescribe antibiotics.

Lung cancer

A chronic, dry cough can sometimes be a

symptom of lung cancer. However, other
causes of dry cough are far more common.

Symptoms of lung cancer can include:

coughing up blood or phlegm that

contains blood

chest pain that may get worse with

breathing or coughing

weight loss

shortness of breath

fatigue

feeling weak

Treatment

Treatment depends on the type and stage of

the lung cancer. Early diagnosis and
treatment can significantly improve a
person’s outlook

Treatment options can include :

surgery

radiofrequency ablation

chemotherapy

radiation therapy

immunotherapy

targeted drug therapy

palliative care

Other causes

Other causes of a dry cough can include:

cigarette smoking

prolonged exposure to pollutants, such

as dust and irritating chemicals

allergies

some medications, such as ACE-

inhibitor drugs for high blood pressure

whooping cough

a collapsed or punctured lung

(pneumothorax)

heart failure
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Diagnosis
To diagnose the cause of a dry cough, a
doctor will usually begin by asking about a
person’s symptoms and medical history.
They will then perform a physical
examination.

A doctor may also need to order some tests

to help with their diagnosis. These may
include:

Imaging tests: An X-ray or CT scan

creates an image of the inside of the
chest that allows doctors to check for
problems.

Spirometry: This involves breathing

into a plastic device to check a
person’s lung functioning. Doctors use
spirometry to help diagnose conditions
such as asthma or IPF.

Endoscopy: An endoscope is a long,

thin tube with a camera and light on the
end. With upper gastrointestinal
endoscopy, doctors can insert the tube
through a person’s mouth and down
the throat to check for problems inside
the esophagus, stomach, and part of
the small intestine. In a bronchoscopy,
the doctor inserts a tube through the
mouth and looks at the windpipe and
airways.

Treatment
Treating the underlying cause is usually the
best way to reduce the severity and
frequency of a dry cough.

Here is a summary of some treatment

options:

Treatment options
Cause of dry cough:
include:

– paracetamol to relie
discomfort
– hospitalization
COVID-19
– antiviral drugs and
with breathing in som
cases

– medications delive
through an inhaler su
asthma
as beta-2-agonists an
corticosteroids

– medications
– oxygen therapy
idiopathic pulmonary – pulmonary
fibrosis rehabilitation
– lung transplantation
some cases

– medications such a
antacids, H2-recepto
blockers, and proton
GERD
pump inhibitors
– lifestyle and dietary
changes

– decongestants
post nasal drip – nasal sprays
– nasal saline irrigatio

– staying hydrated
upper respiratory – pain relievers to
infections manage symptoms
– rest

– surgery
– radiofrequency
ablation
– chemotherapy,
lung cancer
radiotherapy
– targeted drug thera
– immunotherapy
– palliative care

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Home remedies
Some home remedies may improve a
person’s symptoms include:

Sucking on throat lozenges: Throat

lozenges contain ingredients such as
honey, menthol, and eucalyptus, which
may ease irritation and reduce
coughing.

Staying hydrated: Drinking plenty of

water will help the body stay hydrated,
which boosts overall health. It can also
thin mucus, which can help people with
a respiratory infection or post nasal
drip.

Taking cough suppressants: OTC

cough suppressants, which often
contain dextromethorphan, may reduce
a person’s cough reflex.

Elevating the bed: Sleeping with the

upper body raised by 6–8 inches  can
help decrease symptoms of postnasal
drip and GERD. A person can elevate
the bed by placing blocks or wedges
under the bedposts.

Taking a hot shower: The warm water

and steam from the shower may ease
throat dryness and irritation.

Learn about remedies for a sore throat.

Prevention tips
It is not always possible to prevent a dry
cough.

However, tips that can help include:

avoiding smoking and exposure to

tobacco smoke

avoiding exposure to air pollutants as

much as possible

drinking plenty of water

using a humidifier to moisten the air 

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allergy-proofing the bedroom to reduce

irritants