A dry, painful cough can be frustrating and disruptive. Being woken up from coughing all night can be exhausting, especially when it lingers for days or weeks. Unlike a “wet” or productive cough which expels mucus build up from the lungs, a dry cough is often caused by irritation or inflammation in the throat. Understanding the cause of your symptoms and when to seek medical care can help you get symptom relief faster.
At AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst, our walk-in urgent care clinic in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, offers convenient same-day care for common conditions including dry coughs. We treat patients of all ages, and don’t require patients to schedule an appointment in advance. Simply walk in for rapid same-day care with short wait times when it works for your schedule, or schedule your visit in advance using the button below. We’re open 7 days a week.
What Causes a Painful Dry Cough?
A dry cough is a term used to describe a cough that does not produce phlegm or mucus. A dry cough often feels scratchy or painful. Coughing can last for weeks if left untreated, so seeking medical care for symptoms to understand the underlying cause is essential. Dry coughs can be caused by many different conditions, including the following:
Viral Infections
Colds, the flu, COVID-19, and other viral illnesses can all cause a persistent dry cough. These conditions are highly contagious, and often cause additional symptoms such as congestion, fatigue, a sore throat, and runny nose. In many cases, coughing caused by a viral infection can linger for days or even weeks longer than other illness symptoms due to lingering inflammation.
Postnasal Drip
Our bodies produce mucus to flush out irritants and pathogens from our lungs and airway. When the weather is super cold, or you’re starting to get sick, excess mucus can sometimes drip down the back of the throat. This condition is called post-nasal drip, and it can trigger a dry, irritating cough to occur. Oftentimes, coughs caused by post-nasal drip are worse when laying down.
Environmental Irritants or Allergens
Irritants like smoke, pollution, strong fragrances, cleaning chemicals, or even dry indoor air during the wintertime can lead to inflammation in the airways and cause persistent coughing. Individuals with underlying conditions like asthma may experience coughing and airway irritation more frequently when exposed to environmental irritants.
Tips for Managing a Stubborn Dry Cough at Home
If you’re experiencing a painful, dry cough, staying hydrated is essential to soothe the airway and reduce inflammation. Drinking water is great, but warm tea with honey, or warm broth can help further soothe throat irritation. Additionally, using a humidifier in your bedroom is a great tool to add additional moisture to the air, which can reduce irritation in the throat. If your cough worsens at night, propping your head up while you sleep may reduce airway irritation caused by postnasal drip.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst for Same-Day Cough Diagnosis & Treatment
Coughing can disrupt your daily life and be very uncomfortable. A dry cough can be caused by a variety of different conditions, including illnesses and environmental factors. Seeking medical care for an evaluation of your throat and airways is essential to properly diagnose and treat your condition. While some coughs clear up on their own, certain conditions may require medications or additional treatment.
At AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst, our walk-in clinic makes it easy to receive prompt treatment for a cough. Don’t wait for an appointment to open up with your primary care provider, instead, walk into AFC Lyndhurst for same-day treatment. We’re open 7 days a week, and accept most medical insurance plans. Walk into the clinic today, or give us a call to learn more at (201) 345-3839.
