· Cough drops or hard candy will help stop the tickle if you have a dry cough and will moisten the throat.
· Avoid foods that increase the production of mucus, such as dairy products, meat and fried foods.
· Hot packs placed on your throat and chests are very restful.
· Elevate the head of your bed. This will allow your sinuses and nasal passages to drain better and not create that "tickle" in your throat.
· Breathe the steam from a vaporizer, hot shower, or pan of boiling water.
· The moist air will soothe the airways and loosen sinus congestion and phlegm in your throat and lungs. A few drops of the oil of eucalyptus will help this process.
· Drink at least 8 eight ounce glasses of water. This is especially important if your cough is due to an illness.
· Water is the best expectorant you can take and will help thin the mucus and loosen the cough.
· Do not use over-the-counter expectorant cough remedies as they just suppress the symptoms and do not address the underlying problem.
· If you have the kind of cough with mucus you want to get it out of your respiratory system, not suppress it.
· During the winter, if your house is dry, use a humidifier and a cool-mist vaporizer in your bedroom at night. This will help thin the mucus. Be sure to thoroughly clean the vaporizer, as it can harbor bacteria.
· Try eating hot chili peppers, horseradish or other spicy foods. They will help loosen mucus.
· Drink hot tea to break up the mucus and open and moisten the airways.
· Stop smoking. Passive smoke or other irritants, such as chemicals, can be a cause. Household cleaners, new carpeting, paneling and mattresses are some of the many possible sources of chemical irritants.