How to Get Rid of a Dry Hacking Cough

Several factors cause dry, hacking coughs: smoking, asthma, allergies, getting over a cold or flu, or a dry environment. Dry coughs may accompany voice loss and create a sore throats. The best way to get rid of a dry, hacking cough is to attack it with several remedies.

Things You'll Need

• Cough medicine
• Water
• Tea
• Lemon or Lemon juice
• Peppermint
• Honey
• Cough drops
• Humidifier

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Instructions

How to Get Rid of a Dry Hacking Cough

• 1

  Take a steamy shower or bath. Inhale deeply. The steam will soothe your dry throat and help reduce your urge to cough. Another alternative: Breathe in from a pot or bowl of boiling water with a warm towel over your head.

• 2

  Drink plenty of water, or hot tea, to stay hydrated during the day. Add honey, lemon or peppermint to your water to calm your throat. You can also add vinegar to your water if you can handle the taste. Vinegar reduces inflammation.

• 3

  Pop a cough drop whenever your throat feels dry; it will suppress your hacking cough and give your throat a rest.

• 4

  Turn on a humidifier to add moisture to the air. If you are in a dry-heated room or even an air-conditioned room, the air may be losing moisture.

• 5

  Take an appropriate medication. If your dry, hacking cough persists, choose a cough medicine that treats the causes of your cough. For example, if your allergies are acting up, take a medicine with antihistamines. If your coughing comes only at nighttime, take a treatment that will help you sleep and suppress the cough.