How to Get Rid of a Cough Fast

Honey, warm fluids and cough lozenges may ease a cough quickly, although none works for everyone or treats every cause. Relief can be temporary, and a cough that is severe, persistent or accompanied by warning signs needs medical attention.

What are 5 home remedies for cough relief?

Choose a remedy that fits the person and the symptom: honey or a lozenge may soothe a tickly throat, while saline spray may help when a blocked or runny nose is contributing to the cough. These options are for symptom relief, not a substitute for finding the cause of a persistent cough.

Honey has the most direct research evidence among the options discussed here, primarily in children. For more drink ideas, see the best drinks for cough.

1. Honey

Honey can coat and soothe an irritated throat, which may make coughing less troublesome, particularly at bedtime. Take 1 teaspoon (5 mL) on its own or stir it into a warm, not hot, drink. For a child, stay with them while they take it and make sure the drink is cool enough to avoid burns.

A 2018 Cochrane review of six trials involving 899 children found that honey may improve acute cough symptoms, although the certainty of the evidence varied. The studies concerned children with acute cough; they do not establish that honey stops a cough immediately or works equally well for adults.

Never give honey to a child under 1 year old because of the risk of infant botulism. Honey contains sugar, so people who need to manage their blood sugar should account for it.

2. Warm fluids

Warm water or another comfortable-temperature drink can moisten a dry throat and make it feel less irritated. Drinking enough fluid also helps prevent dehydration when you are ill. Warmth may feel soothing, but it does not remove the cause of a cough.

Sip slowly whenever your throat feels dry, and choose a temperature that does not burn your mouth. Cold water is also reasonable if it feels better. You do not need to force large amounts of fluid; if you have been told to restrict fluids because of a medical condition, follow your clinician's advice.

Evidence that warm fluids specifically stop a cough quickly is limited. Think of them as a comfort measure that can be used alongside other appropriate care, rather than a proven cough suppressant.

3. Cough lozenges

A lozenge dissolving in the mouth can increase saliva and temporarily soothe a dry, irritated throat. Some contain menthol, which produces a cooling sensation that some people find helpful when they feel the urge to cough.

Let a lozenge dissolve slowly and follow the package directions. Check the ingredients if you are sensitive to menthol or need to limit sugar. A pharmacist can help you choose a product if you take medicines or are unsure which ingredients are appropriate for you.

The soothing effect may be brief, and evidence for rapid cough relief varies by product; lozenges do not treat the underlying cause. Do not give them to children under 4 years old because of choking risk, or to anyone who cannot safely manage a lozenge in their mouth.

4. Saline nasal spray

A saline nasal spray may help if a runny or blocked nose accompanies your cough. Saline moistens the nasal passages and can help loosen mucus; if mucus draining down the back of the throat is triggering the cough, easing nasal symptoms may make the throat feel more comfortable.

Use a commercially prepared saline spray as directed on its label. Gently blow your nose afterward if needed, and avoid sharing the spray bottle. Plain saline is different from a medicated decongestant spray, so check the label if you are unsure what you are buying.

Saline is most relevant when nasal symptoms are present; it is unlikely to help much with a cough caused by something else. Evidence that it provides rapid cough relief is limited, so consider it a supportive measure rather than a reliable cough treatment.

5. A clean, cool-mist humidifier

Dry air can make a dry throat feel more irritated. A cool-mist humidifier adds moisture to the air and may make a room feel more comfortable while you rest, although it is not proven to quickly stop a cough.

Use the humidifier according to its instructions, and clean and dry it regularly as the manufacturer recommends. A dirty humidifier can spread mold or other contaminants into the air, so do not keep using one that is difficult to clean. Stop using it if the mist seems to make breathing or coughing worse.

Avoid leaning over a bowl of hot water or using hot steam around children: burns can occur, and steam inhalation is not a proven way to get rid of a cough quickly. A cool-mist humidifier is a comfort option, not a replacement for assessment if symptoms are concerning.

When should you see a doctor for a cough?

Call emergency services now for severe difficulty breathing, blue or gray lips or face, new confusion, or severe or persistent chest pain. Seek urgent medical advice for coughing up blood, even if it is only a small amount.

Contact a clinician if a cough lasts more than 3 weeks, is getting worse, or improves and then returns with worsening symptoms. Seek advice sooner if you have a significant lung condition, a weakened immune system, or a cough accompanied by fever or shortness of breath. A clinician can assess possible causes and whether treatment is needed.

For children, seek prompt advice if breathing is fast or difficult, the child is unusually sleepy, or they are drinking much less or urinating less than usual. An infant under 3 months old with a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher needs urgent medical assessment.

If you are pregnant, ask a clinician or pharmacist before using medicated cough products or herbal remedies. Ask a healthcare professional before giving cough medicines to a child under 6, and check product labels for age restrictions. Some medicines, including certain blood-pressure medicines, can cause a persistent cough; do not stop prescribed medication without speaking to your clinician.