Allergy Cough Treatments

Intermittent, lingering or constant coughing can be caused by allergies. Pollen, animal dander, dust, food or other allergens can cause coughing. Coughing can be healthy as it protects and cleanses the body of mucus and infections.

Significance

• Coughing is not always a sign of a medical problem. When coughing persists and occurs at night after falling asleep, however, it may signal a more serious or respiratory problem and warrants a visit to the doctor.

Considerations

• Often an allergy-related cough will clear up on its own. Over-the-counter cough medicines work well for mild coughs, and prescription doses may be needed for more severe coughs.

Prevention

• Several measures to prevent allergy-related coughs and/or reduce severity include dusting, avoiding outdoor activities between 5:00 a.m. and 10.00 a.m., use of air conditioning, keeping windows closed, washing sheets, linens and towels in hot water, avoiding extreme heat, showering and cleaning hair nightly, and keeping car windows closed.

Alternative Methods

• Ginger, olive oil, garlic and whiskey have been used to treat coughs caused by allergies. These products cause air to be expelled from the lungs and can clean air passages. Licorice and horehound teas may also clear coughs. Add honey and lemon for taste and increased effectiveness.

Natural Remedies

• Herbal remedies used to loosen mucus and relieve congestion include apple cider vinegar, red clover, eucalyptus and alfalfa. Natural and alternative remedies do not cause many of the side effects that traditional medicines do, such as fatigue, reduced alertness and dehydration.

Harvard Newsletter

• The "Harvard Health Letter" reports many active ingredients in cough medicines may not be effective for treating allergy-related coughs. They recommend allergy medicine that offers both an antihistamine (like brompheniramine, diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine) and a decongestant.