TICKLY COUGH ADVICE: HOW TO HELP A DRY, TICKLY COUGH THAT WON’T GO AWAY

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. 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 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.

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. Other tickly cough causes include allergies, air pollution or a sudden change in temperature.

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. 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. Want to know how to help of a tickly cough, ASAP? 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
• 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

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

If you have a dry, tickly cough that won't go away, you may wish to use a medicine to help. Cough medicines containing glycerol are suitable for tackling tickly coughs, like our Dry Cough Sugar-Free, Dry & Tickly Cough Linctus, Dry & Tickly Cough Sugar-Free Oral Solution. These will also aid a sore throat, but you might want to try our Sore Throat Lozenges as well.

Now, you have all the information you need to take on a tickly cough, but if you want to learn more about cough types and treatments, visit our Articles & Advice Hub. Don’t forget to check out our full range of products which have been formulated to fight back against cough and cold symptoms. Time to get bullish with Covonia.

Expert Advice 

27.04.2022

Dr Sarah Jarvis

Expert Advice, Dr Sarah Jarvis, Cough Advice, Tickly cough, Remedy, Expert, Cough Medicine