5 Home Remedies for a Tickly Cough    

Between the out-of-hours meetings and the family dinners and the hoovering and washing and cleaning around the house, simply getting through each day is no small feat. And when you’re struck down with a tickly cough, it might seem tempting to suppress your symptoms away and get on with it. But that dry tickly cough isn’t going anywhere, until you take the time to recover. The laundry can wait – it's not going anywhere. So nestle in, get comfy – you're no use to anyone else until you’re good to yourself. 

If you need some inspiration on how you can look after yourself at home, here’s ‘how to soothe a tickly cough’ —even when the scratchiness and irritation are at an all-time high. Read on to explore the following home remedies for a tickly cough: 

1. Honey. 
2. Steam. 
3. Drinking water. 
4. Soup. 
5. Thyme tea. 

Whether it’s the result of being a little under the weather or an allergy acting up, don’t let a scratchy, dry tickly cough get in the way of your day. Even just one effective tickly cough remedy can provide that cheeky little sip of self-care you’re so guilty of so often casting aside... And we’re about to share five! 

But first, take a look at some of the most common symptoms of a tickly cough:  

• Persistent coughing. 
• Tickly sensation. 
• No phlegm or thick mucus.  

And here are some of the most common causes of a tickly cough:¹ 

• Upper respiratory tract infection, caused by a virus. 
• Lower respiratory tract infection, like bronchitis (which could also cause the secretion of mucus)⁷ or pneumonia, which may be associated with shortness of breath, pain in the chest and persistent fever. 
• Allergies, such as hay fever or a dust mite allergy.
• Flare-up of a long-term condition, like asthma. 
• Smoking. 
• Acid reflux (acid from the stomach coming back up towards the oesophagus).

And, if your tickly cough symptoms persist or worsen, be sure to reach out to your GP or healthcare provider for professional advice and treatment. Your doctor can help confirm your diagnosis and provide you with the right cough medicines and remedies. And remember, if you suffer from allergies or asthma, these home remedies may not be as effective. In that case, you should reach out to your GP or healthcare provider, especially if your tickly cough lasts more than 3 weeks.¹

With that being said, let’s go over the different remedies for how to soothe a tickly cough:  

1. Honey for a tickly cough 

The first natural remedy for a tickly cough is something sweet with loads of healing benefits. That’s right, honey! Honey contains antiviral and antibacterial properties in its raw form and can be very effective at suppressing a cough.¹ Some types of honey like Manuka are known to have antiseptic properties, but any pure honey can be helpful.

This tickly cough remedy is best served in a glass or a cup of warm water with just a squeeze of lemon juice, for added vitamin C. Drink the mixture two to three times a day to help coat your throat and soothe any discomfort.  

You can even take a spoonful of honey alone if you prefer! Take advantage of not only the sweet taste but the incredible healing properties this time-honoured remedy boasts for a dry tickly cough.

However, do remember that children under the age of one should not be given honey, as there is a small but severe risk of Botulism.⁸  

2. Crank up the steam to soothe a tickly cough 

Another amazing way to help with a tickly cough is steam. One of the best home remedies for a tickle in throat cough, steam is perfect for loosening mucus on throat membranes. It can also ease the soreness and scratchiness that comes with a dry cough.²  

To try this remedy, just fill a bowl with steaming hot water, being careful not to scald yourself. Pop a towel over your head and inhale the steam for around five minutes. You can also try a humidifier to loosen up any mucus that may be congesting your nasal passageways. This will help to open up and moisturise your itchy throat. If you’re looking for an extra boost, try adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil.³ 

3. Drink plenty of water 

One home remedy for dry coughs is making sure that you stay hydrated. When you’ve got a dry throat, drinking anything might sound painful, but maintaining sufficient fluid intake is really important when you’re dealing with an irritating cough. That’s because your body must stay hydrated in order to fight viruses and allergens. Not to mention, water can also help keep your throat lubricated.⁴

Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to help your body perform at its best! After all, you’re not much use to anyone else until you’re good to yourself. But how much is “plenty?” It’s recommended to drink around 6 to 8 cups of water a day. Keep a water bottle at your desk, make some soothing tea in the morning, keep a glass by your bed at night—whatever you need to do to keep your body hydrated!⁵

4. Soothe a tickly cough with soup 

What better way to nurse a nasty cough than curled up on the couch with a warm bowl of soup! Sure, it may be the oldest trick in the book, but that’s only because it works. Go on – indulge a little. Add the croutons, and the cream. Throw on the fluffy little socks and duvet and movie. You deserve a little treat. Soup is a great natural remedy for a tickly cough. In addition to all the nutrients you find in hearty soups, the warm liquid alone can provide amazing relief to a tender throat.  

If you have a sore throat that’s making it particularly difficult to swallow solid foods, never fear.  Just whip up some healthy veggies, noodles, broth and whatever else you like into a comforting throat-soothing meal that’s easier to swallow.  

5. Drink thyme tea to ease your dry, tickly cough 

Last but certainly not least, thyme can be a very powerful remedy to soothe a tickly cough. This herb contains loads of antioxidants, which help support the body’s immune systems, as well as flavonoids that can help lessen inflammation and relax throat muscles.⁶

How can you take advantage of thyme’s many benefits? Simple. Make a soothing tea by crushing up two teaspoons of thyme and steeping it in hot water for about 10 minutes. Once you have your homemade thyme tea, go ahead and drink up!   

Choose the natural remedy for a tickly cough that works for you! 

There you have it: five home remedies for how to soothe a tickly cough. Whether you opt for a soothing tea, a nice post-shower steam, or any of the other tickly cough remedy we recommended, the most important thing is to get you back on your feet—cough-free! – so you can get back to giving everything you’ve got to everyone 

Remember, you should always reach out to your doctor with any questions or concerns you may have around the best thing for a tickly cough, especially if your symptoms persist. And if you find yourself experiencing nighttime nasal congestion alongside your tickly cough, we've also got some advice on how to sleep with a cold or blocked nose at night. Feel free to give one of these dry tickly cough remedies a try to help ease your discomfort! 

*To verify claims, please email verify.uk@essity.com for full verification details. 

Sources: 

¹ NHS inform; Cough
² Fife Health & Social Care Partnership; Steam inhalation
³ National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy; Staying Healthy Using Essential Oils Rich in 1,8 cineole
⁴ NHS; Cough
⁵ NHS; Water, drinks and your health
⁶ Kemmerich B, Eberhardt R, Stammer H. Efficacy and tolerability of a fluid extract combination of thyme herb and ivy leaves and matched placebo in adults suffering from acute bronchitis with productive cough. A prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. https://www.cushelle.com/leave-a-review-to-win/
⁷ NHS inform; Bronchitis
⁸ NHS; Botulism