TICKLY COUGH ADVICE: HOW TO STOP A TICKLY COUGH THAT WON’T GO AWAY

Have a dry, tickly cough that won’t go away? Persistent, irritating, and annoying - it’s only normal to look for advice on how to stop a tickly cough instantly.

If you’re looking for immediate relief, you’re in the right place. This isn’t our first rodeo; Covonia has been fighting coughs and colds for over 50 years, helping you grab life by the horns. 

Here we’re setting the record straight with our advice plus expert tips from Dr Sarah Jarvis on tickly cough causes, symptoms, and remedies to help a tickly cough. It’s time to get bullish with your tickly cough…

Note: The doctor involved does not endorse any medical brands or products.

FIND RELIEF FAST: QUICK GUIDE

• What is a tickly cough?

• Tickly cough symptoms

• What causes a tickly cough?

• Allergies, a cold, or an infection?

• How does a tickly cough sound and feel?

• How long does a tickly cough last?

• How to help a tickly cough?

• Tickly cough remedies and medicines

A tickly cough is similar to a dry cough in that it does not expel mucus or phlegm; unlike a chesty cough, there’s no congestion or mucus in your lungs. 

For this reason, a tickly cough can be known as an unproductive cough, as no mucus is produced when coughing.

The cough itself is caused by inflammation in your upper airways of the respiratory tract which feels like a ‘tickle’ at the back of your throat.

The main symptom of a tickly cough is experiencing an itch or irritation in your throat which triggers a natural cough reflex or sneezing. This can then lead to a sore throat, muscular pain in the chest and a runny nose.

If you’re producing mucus when coughing, you are likely experiencing symptoms of a wet or chesty cough.

Find remedies for tickly coughs.

Tickly coughs are most often caused by a recent cold or flu, known as a post-viral cough. If this is the case, you will likely experience other cold and flu-like symptoms too. These can include a sore throat, headaches, a blocked or runny nose, fatigue, muscle aches, and more.

Allergies, a cold, or an infection?

If you’ve been in close contact with someone with a cold or cough, or been in settings with a higher likelihood of transmission (such as public transportation, a party, a wedding, or a concert), a cold or respiratory infection could be the cause of your tickly cough.

Tickly coughs can also be caused by allergies, air pollution (particularly in large cities) or a sudden change in temperature. In these cases, you may not have accompanying cold and flu-like symptoms that are directly connected to your tickly cough.

Post-nasal drip ( PND) or catarrh can also lead to a tickly sensation at the back of the throat. This is caused by excess mucus gathering in the throat, which can cause a cough, rather than inflammation.

The inflammation of the airways causes a tickly sensation which will make you cough, even when you don’t have mucus in your lungs. It will feel like something is irritating the back of your throat, but you won’t cough up any mucus or phlegm.

Most tickly coughs don’t require medical attention and will usually clear up on their own within three to four weeks. This is often the case for tickly coughs caused by colds, flu, and respiratory infections.

However, take care and seek the help of a pharmacist or your GP if your cough persists for longer than this or gets worse, as asthma, heartburn or heart failure can be indicated by a tickly cough.

Although there is no single magic cure for tickly coughs, you can ease symptoms with the right remedy. We’ve put together some of our go-to home remedies and treatments to help relieve symptoms of a tickly cough. 

These are ideal to combine with tickly cough medicines to fight back against your cough. Want to know how to help a tickly cough instantly? Here are our top tips:

• Avoid dry, polluted or dusty environments - these can trigger coughing fits
• Gargle with lukewarm saltwater four times a day – this can reduce irritation in your throat
• Take a hot bath or shower - inhale some of the steam as this can provide moisture and relieve dryness
• Steam bowl - pouring hot water into a bowl and inhaling the steam will provide similar effects to taking a hot bath or shower, with more practicality to repeat throughout the day as needed. Simply fill a suitable bowl with hot water and carefully inhale the steam from the bowl. Using a towel over your head and bowl can help to keep in the steam for longer inhalation.
• Suck on throat lozenges or cough drops – these can stimulate the production of saliva which can keep your throat moist
• Rest your voice – you will likely have a sore throat, so avoid talking to give your voice a proper rest
• Avoid any known triggers – if you know that allergies or dust have caused your tickly cough, then avoid these until it has cleared up
• Rest up and stay away - getting ample rest is best when possible. This can help your body recover while reducing the risk of spreading a cold or virus to others
• Don’t double up on painkillers - painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol can help to relieve symptoms such as inflammation, swelling, and aches. But beware, some cold and flu medicines and cough mixtures already contain painkillers - always check the label and consult a doctor.
• Warming, soothing foods - eating warming, soothing foods such as soups and casseroles can help a tickly cough. Be wary of spicy foods, while these can help with congestion and a blocked nose, it may cause further irritation for a tickly cough.

Watch a doctor explain the ways to treat a cough for more information on how to help a tickly cough.

Want to take control of your dry, tickly cough? Tickly cough medicines and mixtures are ideal to fight back against a tickly cough that won’t go away.

Cough medicines containing glycerol are particularly suitable for tackling tickly coughs. The glycerol content helps to coat your throat’s mucus membranes, providing a soothing layer of lubrication that calms the nerve endings that cause a persistent, tickly cough.

Covonia offers a range of tickly cough medicines to lead the charge against your cough. We recommend our Dry & Tickly Cough Linctus or Dry & Tickly Cough Sugar-Free Oral Solution for fast cough relief, and Night Time Formula for a better night's sleep. 

Each helps to aid and soothe sore throats that often accompany tickly coughs caused by colds and respiratory viruses. For an added bout of tickly cough and cold remedy, our medicated Sore Throat Lozenges help to numb pain and fight infection.