Common Cough or an Allergic Cough? let's see the explanation!

hermina's friend, Coughing is the body's way of reacting when the throat or airways become inflamed, either due to allergies or infection. This reaction serves to protect the respiratory tract from foreign objects or germs, such as bacteria, viruses, dust, or animal hair.

In addition to itching, one of the signs experienced when experiencing allergies is respiratory problems. One of the most common symptoms of breathing problems is coughing. Allergy owners may be confused about the difference between an allergic cough and a normal cough, for example due to the flu. So, what are the characteristics of an allergic cough?

How to Distinguish an Allergic Cough from Other Coughs

Even though they look the same, allergic coughs and regular coughs have differences, especially in terms of the causes and symptoms that appear.

Allergic coughs are caused by the body's immune reaction to allergy-triggering substances or allergens, such as dust, mold, pollen, animal dander or droppings, cigarette smoke, and air pollution. This type of cough is not contagious and symptoms can last for months. Some of the symptoms of an allergic cough include:

1. Dry cough or clear phlegm
2. Itching in the throat
3. Runny nose
4. Stuffy nose
5. Sneezing constantly
6. Difficulty breathing
7. Fatigue
8. Headache

How to Overcome Allergic Coughs and Common Coughs Naturally

The most important treatment for allergic cough is to avoid exposure to allergies. Once you avoid certain allergens, your symptoms will usually improve on their own within a few days.

In addition to staying away from allergens, you can also overcome them in the following easy ways:

1. Drink plenty of water to keep the body hydrated.
2. Use a humidifier or hot steam to clear the airways and relieve the symptoms of an allergic cough.
3. Take a warm bath to loosen phlegm and reduce coughing.
4. Rinse the nose with a saline solution to clear the nose of dirt and relieve the symptoms of nasal congestion.
5. Clean the surrounding environment to avoid various allergens, including dust, mold, and pollen.
6. Use an extra pillow while sleeping to make it easier to breathe.

If the symptoms of an allergic cough are already very bothersome, you can take medicines to relieve the symptoms that appear, such as antihistamines to relieve allergic reactions and decongestants to relieve nasal congestion.

For a common cough caused by a viral infection, it usually goes away on its own within a few days. You just need to get more rest and take symptomatic medication.

If the symptoms of an allergic cough or normal cough that you are experiencing do not improve with the various remedies above or even if the symptoms get worse, immediately consult a doctor to identify the cause and get the right treatment.