Coughs
Wet and Sticky
Dry and Tickly
Helpful Hints


A cough can be good or bad. Good if you need to get rid of something that's irritating or blocking your airway or lungs, but bad if it comes on as part of a cold or a bout of flu - and lingers long after the other symptoms have disappeared. Here's how your pharmacist can help you conquer a cough...


Wet and Sticky 

A productive or "wet" cough, is the sort where you bring up sticky phlegm or mucus. You will often hear, or feel, a "rattle" in your chest with this type of cough.

The best way of treating a productive cough is with inhalations and an expectorant mixture. Inhaling the steam from a bowl of hot (not boiling) water with a drop or two of menthol or eucalyptus inhalant added to it will help to soothe the airways and loosen the phlegm, and an expectorant mixture will thin the phlegm and make it easier to cough up.


Dry and Tickly 

A tickly or "dry" cough is one that causes an annoying tickle at the back of the throat - and the constant coughing to try and get rid of the tickle can often make your throat sore too.

There are two types of cough mixture that can help treat a dry or tickly cough; a soothing cough mixture, which can calm the cough and soothe any throat discomfort, or a cough suppressant mixture, to help reduce the cough.

Some cough medicines aren't suitable for everyone. If you suffer from a medical condition or are taking any other medicines, talk to your pharmacist before you take or buy a cough medicine.


Helpful Hints 

When you've got a cough, avoid smoky places such as pubs and clubs - and if you're a smoker talk to your pharmacist about nicotine replacement products to help you give up. 
Central heating can make the air really dry and aggravate your cough, so place a bowl of water on top, or in front of radiators to put some moisture back in the air. 
If you've got a cold, mucus can drip down from your nose to the back of your throat and make you cough. This problem is often worse at night when you lie down, so try sleeping propped up with an extra pillow.


See your doctor if: 


You cough up blood. 
If you develop any wheezing or pain in the chest. 
You cough up any green coloured or foul smelling phlegm. 
Your cough continues for more than a couple of weeks.