To relieve a dry cough naturally, it is important to keep the body hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids or warm teas, as well as gargling with warm water and salt and keeping the environment humidified, as they help keep the airways hydrated and reduce throat irritation.
A dry cough can be caused by respiratory allergies, such as allergic rhinitis, flu, sinusitis, pharyngitis, exposure to pollution or cigarette smoke, or even asthma or COVID-19. See other causes of dry cough and what to do.
These natural tips can be done at home to help relieve a dry cough and complement the treatment recommended by your doctor, after evaluating and diagnosing the cause of the dry cough.
12 natural tips to relieve a dry cough
Some tips that help relieve a dry cough are:
1. Drink plenty of water
Drinking water increases hydration and humidification of the throat and airways, in addition to reducing the viscosity of mucus and reducing throat irritation, helping to relieve dry coughs.
Therefore, it is recommended to drink at least 2 liters of water per day in small sips. For people who have difficulty drinking water, a good option is to add the juice of half a lemon to the water to add flavor and make it easier to drink.
2. Drink warm tea
Drinking warm teas helps keep the body warm and hydrate the airways, reducing throat irritation and thus relieving a dry cough.
In this way, you can make teas with medicinal plants, such as ginger and garlic tea, lemon and honey tea or star anise tea, as they have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, in addition to increasing the body’s natural defenses. , helping to combat flu, pharyngitis or sinusitis, for example, which can cause a dry cough. See how to prepare cough teas.
In addition, you can also eat warm meals, such as soups or broths, as they help to unblock your nose and reduce pain and irritation in your throat.
3. Gargle with warm salt water
Gargling with warm salt water has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, helping to relieve dry coughs and remove bacteria that can cause inflammation and infection in the throat.
To gargle with warm salt water, place a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and mix. Gargle several times a day.
4. Rest
Resting is important to help the immune system fight inflammation or infections, such as flu, sinusitis or pharyngitis, for example, and alleviate symptoms, including dry cough.
In the case of COVID-19, in addition to resting, isolation must be carried out to avoid transmission to other people. In cases where there is difficulty breathing, it is important to go to the hospital to have a chest X-ray done and assess the need for hospital admission. Check out more details on treatment for COVID-19.
5. Avoid very cold or very hot foods and drinks
Very hot or very cold foods can increase throat irritation and worsen a dry cough, so extreme temperatures should be avoided, giving preference to foods and drinks that are warm or at room temperature.
6. Avoid irritating substances
Some substances such as alcohol, caffeine and cigarettes can increase irritation in the throat, worsening dry cough, and therefore, smoking and drinking drinks containing caffeine, such as coffee, black tea or green tea, or alcoholic beverages, should be avoided. like beer, wine or whiskey, for example.
In addition, contact with pollen, dust or pet hair or chemical products such as perfumes, cleaning disinfectants and even swimming pool chlorine should be avoided in the case of people who have allergic rhinitis, as they can cause attacks or worsen coughing. drought and other symptoms of the disease. Check out the main symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
7. Use a humidifier
A humidifier in the room is recommended, especially when the air is very dry, as it increases humidity in the air, reducing irritation or inflammation of the throat, in addition to opening the airways, helping to release phlegm and making breathing easier, helping to relieve pain. dry cough. See other ways to humidify the air at home.
8. Inhale
If you don’t have a humidifier at home, you can inhale water vapor, as it helps to hydrate, humidify and relax the airways, relieving dry coughs.
To do the inhalation, you must pour boiling water into a basin and then cover your head with an open towel, so that it also covers the basin containing hot water and inhale the water vapor for 5 to 10 minutes. Care must be taken not to bring your face too close to the hot water, to avoid burns.
In children over 7 years of age, inhalation should always be carried out under adult supervision, even if the child has previously inhaled, as there is a serious risk of burns.
In addition, you can also add eucalyptus essential oil to hot water for inhalation, as it has expectorant, mucolytic and anti-inflammatory properties, which help to stimulate breathing, relieve coughing, increase the elimination of phlegm and relax. the respiratory muscles. See how to inhalate with eucalyptus.
Another way to inhale is to take a hot shower, breathing in the water vapor.
9. Keep the environment clean
Keeping the environment clean and ventilated helps prevent or control allergic rhinitis, as it is commonly caused by allergies to dust, dust mites or fungi, for example, resulting in a dry cough, constant sneezing or runny nose.
Therefore, it is recommended to remove dust from furniture and floors with a damp cloth, remove carpets, curtains, cushions and other decorations that accumulate dust and wash bedding at least once a week.
10. Wash your nose with saline solution
Nasal washing with 0.9% saline solution is a good way to relieve a dry cough caused by sinusitis or the accumulation of secretions in the nose or sinuses, as it helps eliminate excess phlegm, leaving it more liquid and easier. to eliminate, which helps to relieve dry cough. See other natural ways to combat sinusitis.
To wash your nose, fill a syringe with approximately 10 to 20 mL of sterile 0.9% saline solution, tilt your body forward and your head slightly to the side. Then, position the syringe at the entrance to one nostril and press until the serum comes out of the other nostril.
It is important to keep your mouth open and also breathe through your mouth while washing with the serum, in addition to not breathing in the serum, and blowing your nose immediately afterwards.
11. Eat foods rich in vitamin C
Foods rich in vitamin C, such as strawberries, oranges or broccoli, for example, have antioxidant properties, helping to fight free radicals that can cause damage to cells and lead to inflammation.
Furthermore, vitamin C in food helps to strengthen the immune system, helping to fight microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria and fungi, which can cause flu, colds, sore throat and allergies, which can cause a dry cough. Check out the complete list of foods rich in vitamin C.
12. Eat a square of dark chocolate
Dark chocolate can help soothe irritation and sore throats that can cause a dry cough, as it is rich in anti-inflammatory flavonoids, as well as helping to lubricate the throat.
To use the properties of chocolate for a sore throat, you must suck on a square of dark chocolate and swallow it little by little. Another chocolate option is dark chocolate with mint. See other health benefits of chocolate.
When to go to the doctor
It is important to consult an otolaryngologist or pulmonologist in the following cases:
- Persistent dry cough;
- Coughing up blood;
- Fever;
- Chest pain;
- Difficulty breathing;
- Short breathing;
- Shortness of breathe;
- Wheezing when breathing;
- Sore throat;
- Difficulty swallowing;
- Hoarseness;
- Excessive tiredness.
Furthermore, in the case of asthma, you should go to the emergency room if the person has an asthma attack, as the symptoms tend to be quite intense and appear quickly, within a few minutes, and thus, treatment can be carried out as quickly as possible. possible to avoid complications. See how asthma attacks are treated.
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