Home Articles Alternative Medicine and Health

A cough is a defensive reflex function of the body in order to clear irritants from the lungs and chest cavity. Generally, a dry hacking cough occurs towards the end of a common cold. However, some external irritants like smoke and dust can also cause a dry cough. Also, there is no discharge of mucus or phlegm with a dry cough.

Smoking, postnasal drip, asthma, and acid reflux are the common causes for a dry hacking cough. Usually, a dry cough begins and disappears suddenly. However, an acute dry cough that is associated with a cold comes suddenly and lasts up to three weeks. A chronic dry cough, however, that lasts over a long period may be a sign of a serious disorder. For a persistent dry hacking cough, one should consult a doctor immediately.

Remedies for a Dry Cough

A hacking cough in kids can be a nightmare for the parents, but there are some home remedies for dry cough for children that may be a worthy try owing to the recent concerns over the safety of kid’s cough medicines. As per the recommendation of Medicines Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, over-the-counter cough medicines are not advisable for children under the age of six, owing to the potential side effects such as allergic reactions, hallucinations.

• A homemade cough syrup using lemon and honey is the simple yet effective remedy for a hacking cough in kids. Due to its demulcent property, honey coats the throat and helps to relieve the irritation that occurs due to coughing. However, honey should not be given to babies under one year as it puts them at risk of botulism.
• Sauce of pureed raisins, dissolving some honey in grape juice, and orange juice are also handy ways of managing a dry hacking cough in children.
• For the treatment of painful, dry hacking cough in kids Bryonia – a homeopathic remedy, may be helpful. Do consult a doctor for the same.
• Putting a vaporizer in the kid’s room is one of home remedies for dry cough for children. It increases the moisture in the air and ease breathing. In addition, adding essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus provides more relief.  Elevating the head while sleeping also provides relief.

Remedies for a Hacking Cough

Even though coughing is not a serious condition compared with other respiratory disorders, it is annoying and affects the day-to-day activities. Dry cough is more painful because the lack of mucus dries up the throat even more. Natural remedies are the most effective treatment for a dry cough.

• Salt water gargle is an effective way of treating a dry hacking cough. Add a bit of salt to lukewarm water and gargle with it. A salt gargle helps loosen up the mucus, and salt also contains anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
• Honey has a plenty of curative properties and is recommended as a great home remedy for many ailments. The combination of honey with turmeric powder is a good remedy for a hacking cough. Honey and lemon juice and honey and onion juice are also excellent cough remedies.
• Drink more water. Water has mucus thinning properties and can lessen the dryness in the throat and help you to feel better.
• Ginger combines with the healing property of honey and results in an excellent home remedy for a hacking cough. Chewing fresh ginger slices is another handy way to cure a hacking cough.
• Marshmallow root, lobelia, mullein, and wild cherry bark are some of the herbs that soothe the throat and ease the dry cough. Herbal tea made from slippery elm helps to suppress dry cough as it provides soothing effect to the throat. Yerba Santa, lemon grass, cinnamon, orange, and lemon essential oil are other beneficial herbs and essential oils for a hacking cough.
• Cough suppressants like pholcodine, antihistamines, dextromethorphan are also useful for dry coughs. Consult a doctor instead of self-medicating.
• Steam inhalation and using an inhaler are other ways to combat a dry hacking cough.

References:

1. http://www.dailystrength.org/health_blogs/dr-orrange/article/the-persistent-dry-cough-what-the-heck-is-it
2. http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cough/Pages/Causes.aspx

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.