What causes a dry cough in the summer?

A summer dry cough

While coughs are generally associated with colds and flu in winter, dry coughs in particular can often make an appearance in summer too. Dry, tickly coughs are generally caused by some kind of irritation at the back of the throat, and there are plenty of factors that could be contributing to this irritation. They can also linger for a long time, particularly if the source of irritation doesn’t go away!

So what’s causing your dry cough this summer? 

Hayfever

The most likely cause of your summer dry cough is hayfever. This common allergy is caused by pollen in the air, whether from trees, grass or weeds, and is most common in the spring and summer. Usual symptoms include itchy, irritated or puffy eyes, sneezing, congestion and a dry, tickly throat, as well as more unusual symptoms like a headache, sweating, fatigue and earache, so look out for these.  

It is this irritation at the back of the throat that can trigger a cough, and a dry one at that. This irritation is often caused by pollen itself, but it can also be caused by dryness at the back of the throat which occurs when nasal congestion forces you to breathe through your mouth.

Keep an eye on the pollen count in your local area to see if your dry cough coincides with higher pollen count days. If you think hayfever could be the culprit, then have a look at our hayfever treatment pages for some tips.

Allergies

Hayfever is just one type of allergic rhinitis (an allergy affecting the respiratory tract), but there could be a number of other potential causes. The most common triggers are mould spores, dust, dust mites and pet dander. Think about whether any of these common triggers have made an appearance in your life this summer – have you adopted a new pet, moved house or spent some extra time clearing out the attic?

Our Pollinosan tablets can help to relieve allergic rhinitis as well as hayfever, so give these a try before panicking about your new pet or home!

Air conditioning 

The (hopefully!) warmer weather that occurs during summer means that we’re using air conditioning more and more often – in the office, in the car and even at home. Air conditioning is notoriously drying, so this could  cause your throat to dry out, triggering a dry, irritated cough. 

Air conditioning can also dry out the eyes, so if you experience itching and irritation in the eyes then this could be the culprit.

If you think this is the cause of your dry cough, try cutting back on the air conditioning and opt for an open window instead. Alternatively, consider getting a humidifier – just make sure your home doesn’t get too humid as this can then cause damp and mould.

Acid reflux

While not exclusively limited to summer, acid reflux could certainly be causing your dry cough. As the acidic contents of the stomach make contact with the oesophagus it can cause irritation and a burning pain – something we often refer to as heartburn. 

However, this irritation can also trigger the coughing reflex. If your cough gets worse after a meal, and if you notice other symptoms such as heartburn, then this is something to consider. 

You could try Centaurium to ease your reflux, or the stronger Yarrow Complex if your symptoms are severe. Also make sure to eat slowly and chew properly – this will make a huge difference!

Summer cold or other respiratory infection

People sometimes forget that colds, flu and other respiratory infections can still make an appearance in the summer!

Summer colds are caused by a slightly different type of virus – an enterovirus rather than a rhinovirus – and the symptoms of this virus can linger for much longer than the winter cold. This means that your dry cough could actually be a result of a cold you developed weeks ago!

Dry coughs are particularly common after a cold because colds can leave your throat irritated and inflamed, and it is this irritation that triggers a dry, tickly cough. In the summer, this irritation can be exacerbated by the drier air and use of air conditioning. 

Echinaforce can help to ease colds and flu, so try taking this if your cough is likely to have been caused by a cold.

What else can I do about my dry, tickly cough?

Regardless of the cause of your dry cough, a cough spray can be a huge help. Our own cough spray contains mullein and marshmallow root to soothe the throat and ease your cough. Being a spray rather than a liquid, it’s also really convenient so it’s a great one to use while you’re out and about or at work. You can use it up to six times a day so it’s a great way to keep your cough at bay.

Alternatively, you could try Bronchosan, our cough syrup for dry, tickly and irritating coughs. It contains pine and honey and is particularly useful for those extra tickly coughs.

There are also lots of natural and home remedies for coughs, such as honey and lemon or steam inhalation, so why not give these a try as well?