A winter cough is a persistent cough that typically occurs during the colder months. It’s often caused by viral infections like the common cold or flu and exacerbated by dry indoor air. This type of cough can linger for weeks, causing discomfort and irritation in the respiratory tract.

A dry cough that lingers after an infection or during allergy season tends to take a while to treat. Here’s a list of treatments to help.

Winter cough can be wet or dry depending upon the production of mucus. A productive or wet cough produces more amount of mucus. Medications depend upon the type of cough. Decongestants and cough suppressants are advise to get rid of coughing.

Hot tea or water helps thin out the mucus in your airways, which quells your cough. “It doesn’t make the cough go away, but it makes it feel better,” says Dr. Edelman. “It’s more comfortable to have a wet cough than a dry one.” You could also try using a humidifier in your room to moisten your airways as you sleep.

A non productive cough is one in which no mucus or phlegm is produced. These are often referred to as a tickly cough or dry cough. Dry coughs can often appear in winter as they are not only commonly caused by the cold virus, but they are also aggravated by cold air and changes in temperature.