Chesty Cough Remedies

Chesty coughs are very common, especially in the cold winter months. Usually, coughing is completely natural, as it can help clear your throat of phlegm and other irritants. However, sustained coughing can also be a symptom of health conditions such as allergies or bacterial infection.

The best treatment for a chesty cough may depend on the underlying cause. If home remedies don't help, over-the-counter and prescription medications are also available. Keep reading to find out our top suggestions for chesty cough remedies.

8 Chesty Cough Remedies

1. Rest

Getting lots of rest is one of the best ways to treat a cough and cold, as it’ll give your body time to recover and speed up the process. When sleeping or resting, it's best to avoid lying on your back. Try lying on your side or sitting upright instead.

2. Honey

Honey is a popular chesty cough remedy. It has been compared to dextromethorphan, which is a common cough suppressant. Many people opt for honey with herbal tea, or with hot water and lemon.  This remedy isn’t advisable for babies under 12 months. 

3. Hot Fluids

It's important to stay hydrated, so make sure you’re drinking plenty of water. People with cold or flu symptoms may benefit from warming up their beverages. Try clear broths, herbal teas, warm water and fruit juices.

4. Ginger

Ginger may also help to soothe your throat and cough, as it has anti-inflammatory properties. People often put ginger in their tea or add it to their dishes. 

5. Steam

A hot shower could help clear the accumulated mucus in your chest. Alternatively, try filling a bowl with boiling water and breathing in the steam.

6. Herbs

You can try various herbs, such as thyme, to help clear out excess mucus and reduce inflammation. Peppermint leaves also have some healing properties, and the ingredient can be found in a variety of food and beverages.

7. Gargle Salt Water

Saltwater gargles have been used for a long time to help alleviate sore throat and cold symptoms. To make a saltwater gargle, stir half a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water until it dissolves. Allow the mixture to cool slightly before using it to gargle, then let it sit at the back of the throat for a few moments before spitting it out. Children should avoid using saltwater gargles.

8. Over-the-Counter Liquids

Alongside the natural chesty cough remedies you can try, there are also many over-the-counter medicines that can help to alleviate your symptoms. If your chesty cough is keeping you up at night, a relief syrup will soothe your throat and dampen the cough reflex.

At Weldricks, we offer a range of cough medicines in various flavours. From regular syrups to stop coughing and help you sleep, to non-drowsy options you can take during the day. 

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Tips to Prevent a Chest Infection 

Sometimes it can be near impossible to avoid getting a cold or other respiratory tract infections that lead to a cough, however, there are some things you can do to reduce the risk:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap
• Avoid contact with people who are sick
• Stay hydrated
• Clean the common areas of your home, work or school regularly
• Cover your mouth and nose whenever you cough or sneeze
• Get enough sleep
• Try and reduce stress

When to See a Doctor

A regular chesty cough can generally clear up on its own, however, you should seek advice from your GP or emergency medical treatment if your cough is affecting your ability to breathe, or if you're coughing up blood. 

You should also visit your GP or speak to a local pharmacist, if:

• You’ve had the cough for more than 3 weeks
• You have chest pain 
• Your cough is severe or quickly gets worse
• You have swollen glands
• You’re losing weight for no reason
• You have a weakened immune system (for instance, if you have diabetes or are undergoing chemotherapy)

Antibiotics are not usually prescribed for coughs. However, a GP may prescribe them if you have a bacterial infection, or you're at risk of complications.

Finding the Right Chesty Cough Remedy

We’ve discussed the various chesty cough remedies you can try, as well as when to go and see your doctor. The remedies may not work for everyone and if you are unsure of the best option for alleviating your chesty cough, it’s always best to speak to a professional pharmacist or GP.

Weldricks Pharmacy stocks a range of chesty cough remedies including liquids, tablets, cough sweets and lozenges. Alongside our selection of cough syrups, we also offer a variety of other medicines to soothe cold and flu symptoms including nasal sprays, Night Nurse capsules, and Olbas Oil.