A dry cough by definition is unproductive (It serves no useful purpose). It is caused by increased sensitivity of nerve endings in the throat and is often the result of irritation. The act of coughing makes you want to cough even more. (Cough = more cough.)
Cough
How to get rid of a cough?
A cough is probably the most common sign of suffering from a cold or flu. Did you know there are subtle differences between the types of coughs and how you treat them? To provide maximum relief so you can get on with your day, learn how to spot the differences to help you find the right cold or flu medicine. When it comes to cold and flu symptoms, there are two main types of coughs – chesty coughs and dry coughs.
DRY COUGHS
HOW TO TREAT DRY COUGHS?
You can treat dry coughs with cough suppressants, such as lozenges or syrups that contain dextromethorphan, to reduce frequency/intensity of the coughing.
CHESTY COUGHS
HOW TO TREAT CHESTY COUGHS?
Treat chesty coughs with expectorants to help you remove sticky mucus from the airways.
Expectorants, such as Guaifenesin, speed mucus removal by watering down (diluting) mucus to make it easier to remove.