Is your cough a symptom of cold or flu?
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Check your symptomsTickly coughs are commonly associated with dry coughs and normally arise due to viral infections such as the cold or the flu. In this page, our immune system expert Dr. Jen Tan delves deeper into the causes of tickly coughs and recommends a range of herbal remedies to soothe any irritation.
Tickly coughs are closely related to dry coughs and these terms are often used interchangeably. As dry or tickly coughs produce little or no mucus, they are known as non-productive coughs, distinct from chesty coughs where mucus is produced when coughing.
Tickly coughs often result from an irritation in the throat (pharynx) and the cough is triggered to relieve this feeling of irritation.
Some common causes of tickly coughs include some of the following:
Tickly coughs are most often caused by viral infections and they will probably be accompanied by other symptoms of the common cold or flu such as an itch at the back of the throat, sneezing or a runny nose.
However, other symptoms which may accompany a tickly cough include some of the following:
A tickly cough caused by cold or flu viruses is simply a symptom of the infection, so the first thing to do is to treat the cold or flu. For instance, research has shown that the herb echinacea reduces the severity of symptoms as well as the number of illness days. It has unique antibacterial and antiviral properties and helps to maintain the body’s resistance by strengthening the immune system.
If allergies or hayfever are at the root of the cause then Pollinosan may be helpful instead, or Digestisan if digestive troubles are a likely cause. Pollinosan Hayfever Tablets are non-drowsy and can help offer relief from the symptoms of hayfever and allergic rhinitis.
Next, there are some specific herbal remedies for managing a tickly cough:
Bronchosan cough syrup containing extracts of spruce or pine shoots, have been used traditionally to help soothe tickly coughs coming from the throat.
It is unlikely that antibiotics will help people suffering from a tickly cough as these drugs only work on bacteria and most tickly coughs are the result of viral infections. Antibiotics may be prescribed by your doctor if an underlying lung condition or a ‘secondary’ bacterial infection is present.
If an allergy is at the root of the cause conventional anti-histamine medications may help to manage your symptoms. PPI medications may be administered by your doctor if acid reflux is indicated.
Conventional medicines such as cough suppressants aim to reduce the activity of the cough reflex so may help to reduce symptoms in the short-term but may not help to address the underlying cause.
Please be aware, if you experience any of the following symptoms alongside a tickly cough you should visit your doctor:
Initial publication date: 18/07/2013 Update on: 30/08/18
If you are suffering from a dry, tickly or irritating cough then look no further than Bronchosan.
This is made with extracts of freshly harvested pine shoots, as well as a touch of honey. Together these ingredients have a pleasat taste and help to ease irritation.
“I've used this many times and Bronchosan Dry Cough Syrup is the only product that deals with my bronchial coughs which are hard to shift. Brilliant product. Thank you” Linda Buckham, Eastbourne
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Our quick quiz helps you figure out if your symptoms point towards a cold or flu.
Check your symptomsAs the A. Vogel Immune System expert, I recommend Bronchosan Pine Cough Syrup to help ease the symptoms of coughs.
Learn moreA tickly cough is technically termed as ‘non-productive.’ This is because, unlike a chesty cough, tickly or dry coughs typically bring up little to no phlegm.
What type of cough do you have?Discover the story of Alfred VogelNature is just about the best thing we’ve got!