What treatments are available?

Treatment isn't always necessary for mild, short-term coughs because it's likely to be a viral infection that will get better on its own within a few weeks. You can look after yourself at home by resting, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen

Cough medicines and remedies

Although some people find them helpful, medicines that claim to suppress your cough or stop you bringing up phlegm are not usually recommended. This is because there's little evidence to suggest they're any more effective than simple home remedies, and they're not suitable for everyone.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) recommends that over-the-counter cough and cold medicines shouldn't be given to children under the age of six. Children aged 6 to 12 should only use them on the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.

A homemade remedy containing honey and lemon is likely to be just as useful and safer to take. Honey shouldn't be given to babies under the age of one because of the risk of infant botulism

Treating the underlying cause

If your cough has a specific cause, treating this may help. For example:

• asthma can be treated with inhaled steroids to reduce inflammation in your airways
• allergies can be treated by avoiding things you're allergic to and taking antihistamines to dampen down your allergic reactions
• bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics
• GORD can be treated with antacids to neutralise your stomach acid and medication to reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces
• COPD can be treated with bronchodilators to widen your airways
If you smoke, quitting is also likely to help improve your cough.