What Are the Causes of a Dry Cough in the Summer?

Summertime may bring pleasant weather and tasty fresh produce, but it may also bring respiratory issues, such as dry coughs. The causes of dry coughs in the summer include exposure to allergens and chemicals, respiratory infections and personal habits (see links in Resources).

Air Pollution

• Air pollution may cause you to develop a dry cough in the summer, especially if you spend time outside near traffic or using hazardous chemicals.

Allergies

• If you are allergic to pollen from the grass, trees or weeds, you may experience a dry cough along with nasal congestion and sneezing in the summer.

Asthma

• A dry cough in the summer may be caused by asthma, especially if you live in an urban area or your cough gets worse when you exercise.

Chronic Sinusitis

• If you have a dry cough along with chronic congestion in your nose along with sinus headaches and pressure that do not go away, your symptoms may be from chronic sinusitis.

Common Cold

• A summer cold may cause you to develop a lingering dry cough even after your other symptoms have gone away.

Hay Fever

• A dry cough along with runny nose and congestion that occurs in mid through late summer may be a result of hay fever.

GERD

• Drinking your favorite summer beverages, such as beer and wine coolers, may aggravate your gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) and cause you to have a dry cough.