What Helps Against a Tickly Cough? Causes and Gentle Everyday Tips

A tickle in your throat, and the urge to cough kicks in even though there's no mucus to bring up? A dry, tickly cough can be particularly distressing at night and in dry air, robbing you of sleep. In this guide you'll learn what lies behind the urge to cough and how to gently soothe your airways in everyday life.

What lies behind a dry cough

Coughing is a useful protective reflex the body uses to expel foreign substances and irritants from the airways. The reflex is triggered by fine sensors in the mucous membranes: when these so-called cough receptors register an irritant, they send a signal to the cough centre in the brainstem, which then triggers a powerful, sudden burst of exhaled air. With a dry cough, it is precisely these sensitive mucous membranes in the throat and bronchi that are irritated, without any notable amount of mucus being produced. That is why it is also called a dry or unproductive cough, which makes itself felt as a constant tickle and the urge to cough.

Common triggers include the early phase of a cold, dry heated air in winter, cold air, dust, smoke or other irritants. In the first phase of a cold, it is usually viruses that attack the mucous membranes and make the receptors sensitive before any mucus is even produced. Even after an infection has cleared up, a dry cough can linger for weeks as an annoying straggler, because the mucous membranes are still oversensitive. Sometimes a dry, scratchy throat additionally irritates the airways. Less obvious but common: a reflux of stomach acid or a secretion running from the sinuses down the throat (so-called postnasal drip) can also keep the urge to cough going. Certain medications, too, cause a dry cough as a side effect in some people.

When to seek medical advice

Much of it clears up on its own, but some signs should be checked by a doctor. See a practice if the cough lasts longer than about three weeks, if fever, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain or bloody sputum arise, or if you feel distinctly unwell. Also seek medical advice early in the case of sudden, violent coughing after swallowing, with known lung or heart disease, during pregnancy, and in infants and small children. A persistent cough can have many causes that should be assessed professionally.

What you can do in everyday life

Moisture is your best friend with a dry cough. Moist room air soothes the irritated mucous membranes, which is why a bowl of water on the radiator, a humidifier, or regular airing and burst ventilation help. A relative humidity of around 40 to 60 percent is considered pleasant for the airways. Dry heated air, on the other hand, often intensifies the irritation because it draws moisture out of the mucous membranes.

Warm drinks like herbal tea, ideally with a little honey, settle soothingly over the mucous membranes and ease the scratching. Inhaling warm water vapour additionally moistens the airways – a pot of hot (not boiling) water and a towel over your head are enough, ideally several times a day for a few minutes. Avoid cigarette smoke, including secondhand smoke, as well as strong-smelling irritants, sprays and dust. At night, a slightly raised upper body can reduce the urge to cough, as can a glass of water within reach by the bed. Lozenges stimulate saliva flow and keep the throat moist; conscious, slow breathing through the nose can also defuse an approaching tickle. For cough-suppressing or expectorant preparations, it's best to ask at the pharmacy which product suits your situation – because cough suppressants and expectorants should not be taken at the same time.

Nutrition that supports

Drinking enough is especially important with a dry cough, because sufficient fluid keeps the mucous membranes moist and supple. Warm tea, still water or a mild broth are good companions throughout the day. As a rule of thumb, around one and a half to two litres are suitable, provided there are no medical reasons against it.

Honey is a traditional home remedy that coats the throat and can soothe the scratching. Stir it into lukewarm (not hot) tea so the sensitive ingredients are preserved, or take a spoonful neat – but not for children under one year. Warm milk with honey, too, is a familiar evening ritual for many. Overall, opt for light, vitamin-rich fare with plenty of vegetables and fruit that nourishes your body well during cold season. Onion and ginger are classic kitchen helpers of the cold season: ginger as a freshly brewed tea, onion finely chopped with a little honey as a traditional onion syrup. Spicy, very hot or heavily seasoned dishes can further irritate irritated mucous membranes and are best avoided in the acute phase, as are very cold or carbonated drinks.

Nutrients & plants with a connection

During cold season it's worth looking at immune-supporting nutrients. Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system and supports the immune system during and after intense physical exercise. Zinc and vitamin D also contribute to the normal function of the immune system; zinc additionally contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Vitamin A, too, contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes, which is of particular importance during cold season. Selenium and copper also contribute to the normal function of the immune system.

Among the plants, tradition has much to offer: lungwort was traditionally used for irritations in the throat and pharynx, as its name already suggests. Thyme, ribwort plantain, marshmallow and sage, too, have a long tradition in caring for the throat and airways. Marshmallow and ribwort plantain contain mucilage, which is traditionally valued for its coating character, while thyme and sage are known in folk medicine for their spicy-aromatic properties. Herbal teas with these plants are a soothing, warming way to keep the throat moist. Iceland moss and mallow, too, are among the plants traditionally used for a scratchy throat.

Dry cough in children and at night

A dry cough can be especially taxing in children and at night. Children have narrower airways and react more sensitively to dry air, which is why a well-humidified bedroom and drinking enough are doubly important here. A damp cloth over the radiator or a bowl of water in the child's room ensures a more pleasant room climate overnight. Make sure no one smokes in the household, because secondhand smoke strongly irritates children's airways. Honey may traditionally only be given from the first birthday onward – for older children, a spoonful of honey before bedtime is a tried-and-tested home remedy. In infants and small children, as well as with a persistent or barking cough, medical advice is always the safe route.

For the night, simple tricks help: a slightly raised headboard, a glass of water or lukewarm tea within reach by the bed, and calm breathing through the nose to soothe an approaching tickle. Anyone who drinks enough during the day and ensures fresh, not-too-warm bedroom air often gets through the night considerably more peacefully. Avoiding heavy, late meals can also help if reflux is suspected as a contributing trigger.

Honestly put into perspective

A dry cough is usually harmless and accompanies colds, but it can be annoying and sleep-robbing. Moist air, warm drinks and patience are often the most effective home remedies, because the mucous membranes need time to recover. Traditional herbs and immune-supporting nutrients can make everyday life more pleasant, but they are no substitute for medical advice if the cough stays persistent or warning signs appear. Food supplements complement a balanced diet, they do not replace it.

Suitable products from Scheunengut

Anyone who values the traditional power of herbs will find in our lungwort complex with vitamin C a well-thought-out combination of lungwort and other plants. The vitamin C it contains contributes to the normal function of the immune system. In this way, the complex combines traditionally valued plants with an EU-recognised contribution of vitamin C to the immune system.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between a dry cough and a productive cough?

A dry cough is dry and without mucus, triggered by irritated mucous membranes. With a productive cough, mucus is produced and coughed up. A dry cough often occurs at the beginning or end of a cold.

Why is a dry cough often worse at night?

Lying down and in dry heated air, the mucous membranes are more strongly irritated, and the urge to cough increases. A slightly raised upper body and moist room air can help at night.

Does honey help against a dry cough?

Honey is a traditional home remedy that coats the throat and can soothe the scratching, for example in lukewarm tea. Important: children under one year must not be given honey.

How long may a dry cough last?

After an infection, a dry cough can linger for a few weeks as a straggler. If it lasts longer than about three weeks or warning signs appear, you should have it checked by a doctor.

Can dry air trigger a dry cough?

Yes, dry heated air draws moisture out of the mucous membranes and intensifies the irritation. A humidifier, a bowl of water on the radiator and regular airing create a more pleasant room climate.

Which herbal teas are pleasant with a dry cough?

Traditionally, teas with thyme, ribwort plantain, marshmallow or sage are valued for keeping the throat and pharynx moist. Drunk warm, they settle soothingly over the irritated mucous membranes.

Does inhaling help with a dry cough?

Warm water vapour moistens the airways and can soothe the scratching. A pot of hot water and a towel over your head are enough; take care not to scald yourself on the steam.