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What are the Causes of a Dry Hacking Cough?

N. Swensson
N. Swensson

A dry hacking cough is a type of nonproductive cough that is most commonly caused by smoking, asthma, allergies, bronchitis, and colds. People who smoke can sometimes develop a chronic dry cough because of irritants in cigarettes. Some illnesses, such as a cold or bronchitis, can also bring on a this type of cough. A cough caused by asthma or allergies is often a result of irritation in the throat. Coughs caused by an illness usually last for a shorter time than a chronic smokers' cough. There are a number of ways to help treat a dry cough, including suppressant liquids and lozenges, hot tea, and humidifiers.

People who suffer from allergies or asthma might get irritated nasal passages and experience throat tissues more frequently than other people. This irritation could cause a dry hacking cough. Other allergy symptoms could include frequent sneezing, an itchy nose or throat, and watery eyes. Difficulty breathing and wheezing can be symptoms of asthma as well. If a cough is caused by allergies or asthma, it will usually go away when the other symptoms of the illness subside.

Cigarette smokers often develop a dry hacking cough.
Cigarette smokers often develop a dry hacking cough.

Bronchitis is another illness which may sometimes cause a dry hacking cough. A person with bronchitis may have a dry cough as one of the first symptoms of being ill. The dry cough usually turns into a productive cough as the illness progresses, then becomes a dry cough again at the end of the illness. A cough caused by bronchitis can often last for months after other symptoms have gone away. Other symptoms of bronchitis might include wheezing, a slight fever, and tightness in the chest.

Honey and lemon mixed into water can help with a dry hacking cough.
Honey and lemon mixed into water can help with a dry hacking cough.

A dry hacking cough could also be caused by the common cold and other viral infections. The cold virus can enter the body through the nose and travel to the throat. The cough is one of the body's reactions to the virus — an attempt to expel the virus and prevent infection. As with bronchitis, one of the initial symptoms of a cold might be a hacking cough, and this cough might linger after the other cold symptoms subside.

Smoking and allergies are common causes of a dry hacking cough.
Smoking and allergies are common causes of a dry hacking cough.

There are treatment options available for a dry hacking cough. A productive cough might be beneficial because it expels mucus and germs from the body and therefore may not require treatment. If a hacking cough or tickly cough, however, is caused by irritation, it may benefit from treatment. Cough suppressant medication, cough drops, room humidifiers, and hot tea with lemon and honey can all help to treat a cough. Avoiding substances that cause irritation may also help to stop a dry cough.

Discussion Comments

anon989222

Wouldn't a dry cough caused by lisinopril have begun at the beginning of treatment rather than two years later?

anon304645

ACE inhibitors like lisinipril also cause dry hacking cough.

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    • Cigarette smokers often develop a dry hacking cough.
      By: Николай Григорьев
      Cigarette smokers often develop a dry hacking cough.
    • Honey and lemon mixed into water can help with a dry hacking cough.
      By: matka_Wariatka
      Honey and lemon mixed into water can help with a dry hacking cough.
    • Smoking and allergies are common causes of a dry hacking cough.
      By: Klaus Eppele
      Smoking and allergies are common causes of a dry hacking cough.
    • Honey cough drops help to ease a dry hacking cough.
      By: Mark Herreid
      Honey cough drops help to ease a dry hacking cough.
    • Dry coughs can be treated with throat lozenges.
      By: kostrez
      Dry coughs can be treated with throat lozenges.
    • A room humidifier can help to treat a dry cough.
      By: StockPhotosArt
      A room humidifier can help to treat a dry cough.
    • Wheezing accompanied by a dry, hacking cough may be a symptom of bronchitis.
      By: ISO K° - photography
      Wheezing accompanied by a dry, hacking cough may be a symptom of bronchitis.