Dry vs. Wet Coughs: What They’re Telling You

A lingering cough can keep you up at night, slow you down during the day and send you spiraling through a rabbit hole of ill-conceived internet remedies.

But before you try yet another cough lozenge or unproven herbal remedy, let’s start with the facts. Namely: What kind of cough do you have? Because not all coughs are the same.

“The type of cough you’re dealing with — dry or wet — can give important clues about what’s going on in your body,” says family medicine physician Colleen Clayton, MD. “It can help you decide how to manage it at home and when to talk to your doctor.”

Here’s how to tell the difference between a dry vs. wet cough, what causes them and when it’s time to seek care.

The difference between a dry cough and a wet cough

One of the first things a doctor will ask about your cough is whether it’s dry or wet. Why? Because that single detail can offer a big clue about what’s going on.

• A dry cough doesn’t produce mucus or phlegm. It often feels like a tickle or irritation in your throat.
• A wet cough is also called a “productive cough.” It’s the kind that brings up mucus or phlegm (aka the nasty gunk you want to spit out).

Why do they happen and what can you do about them? Dr. Clayton elaborates.

Cough causes

Dry and wet coughs are often triggered by different things.

“A dry cough is typically due to irritation or inflammation. A wet cough, on the other hand, means your body is trying to clear something, like excess mucus caused by infection,” Dr. Clayton reports.

Dry cough triggers include:

• Acid reflux and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
• Allergies
• Asthma
• Cigarette smoke
• Dry air
• Medications, especially ACE inhibitors, for high blood pressure

Wet cough triggers include:

• Bronchitis
• Colds
• COPD
• COVID-19
• Flu 
• Pneumonia

Here’s where it gets a little tricky: Some coughs can start out one way and change over time. 

Take a common cold, for example. It often begins with a wet cough (along with a headache, sore throat and all that other fun stuff). Your body produces mucus to fight off the virus, and your lungs react by coughing it up — classic wet cough.

Even after your original cold symptoms fade, you still might be left with a cough. But now it’s dry and it sticks around for days — or even weeks.

“Inflammation can irritate your airways and cause a dry cough long after the infection itself clears,” Dr. Clayton explains. 

What to do for dry vs. wet coughs

Once you know whether you’re dealing with a dry or wet cough, you can better treat it.

“Your best bet for a wet cough is to help your body clear out the mucus,” Dr. Clayton advises. “Productive coughs are one way your body helps to expel germs so you can breathe better. You don’t want to stop that process.”

Dry coughs, on the other hand, mean your airways could use a touch of TLC.

Many home remedies for coughs can help with both dry and wet coughs. They can help soothe irritated airways and thin out mucus to make it easier to cough up. Some of the best at-home options for cough relief include:

• Drinking warm beverages, like tea or hot water with lemon
• Having a spoonful of honey to soothe an irritated throat from coughing
• Using humidity or steam
• Drinking extra water
• Getting plenty of rest

If those aren’t doing the trick, certain over-the-counter medications can help, too. But different kinds of coughs require different kinds of meds:

• For dry coughs, try a cough suppressant, like dextromethorphan (Robitussin®). These work to calm your cough reflex and give your airways a much-needed rest.
• For wet coughs, use an expectorant, like guaifenesin (Mucinex®). These medicines help thin out the mucus, which can help keep your cough productive.

Note that these medications are for coughs in older kids and adults. Children’s cough and cold medicines aren’t typically recommended for kids under age 4. If you’re concerned about your child’s cough, talk with a children’s healthcare provider, like a pediatrician, about your best options.

When to seek medical care

Coughing, whether dry or wet, is a natural human reflex. It’s your body’s way of protecting you. So, annoying and uncomfortable as it can be, it’s not always something that needs to be “fixed.”

That said, some coughs can be a sign that medical attention is in order, like if you have:

• A “barking” cough that sounds like a seal
• Blood or mucus when you cough
• Trouble breathing
• Shortness of breath
• A cough that lasts longer than three weeks
• Other troubling symptoms, like a fever or chest pain

“Coughing is usually a good sign that your body is taking care of what it needs to,” Dr. Clayton emphasizes.“But if you’re concerned, it never hurts to get checked out and seek medical advice.”