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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Cough And Throat Irritation

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Posted on Tue, 14 Feb 2017
Question: I have had a cough due to tickle in my throat for 6 months now. At first I thought it was allergies due to the fall pollen. But it has still hung on during the winter months. I have tried Benedryl, NyQuil, Zertec, and various other allergy medications. This tickling seems to come from a foamy type phlegm that seems to originate in my throat, not drain down from my sinuses. Is this possible? What is the significance of foamy thin phlegm?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
post nasal drip of mucus

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

This would be called a post nasal drip of mucus which refers to the drip of mucus (the foamy phlegm) to the back of the throat.

This is the most common cause for chronic persistent cough. The other common causes are GERD (reflux) and asthma.
Some persons may have more than one cause.

Using the anti histamines that you mentioned is fine but you may want to add a decongestant to that even if you do not have any nasal congestion or blockage.
The decongestant is supposed to help with the drip.

Eg zyrtec d, benadry d, claritine d , allegra d instead of just benadryl, claritine , zyrtec. It can take 2 to 3 weeks for this to work in some persons

If you have used a decongestant/ antihistamine with no effect then you may need to add a nasal spray eg nasonex, nasocort, flonase, rhinocort

Other options would be montelukast or ketotifen. Both of these medications treat different parts of the reaction that causes post nasal drip

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (12 hours later)
Thank you for your advice. I have an appointment in 10 days to see Doctor about the rash that I suspect is caused by Xarelto. Could the cough also be caused by
xarelto?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
not a known side effect

Detailed Answer:
HI

Coughing is not a known side effect xarelto though persons react differently to medication.

If you are using any blood pressure medications from the ACE family of drugs then one of these may be the cause of your cough eg ramipril, lisinopril, enalapril

Please feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Cough And Throat Irritation

Brief Answer: post nasal drip of mucus Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic This would be called a post nasal drip of mucus which refers to the drip of mucus (the foamy phlegm) to the back of the throat. This is the most common cause for chronic persistent cough. The other common causes are GERD (reflux) and asthma. Some persons may have more than one cause. Using the anti histamines that you mentioned is fine but you may want to add a decongestant to that even if you do not have any nasal congestion or blockage. The decongestant is supposed to help with the drip. Eg zyrtec d, benadry d, claritine d , allegra d instead of just benadryl, claritine , zyrtec. It can take 2 to 3 weeks for this to work in some persons If you have used a decongestant/ antihistamine with no effect then you may need to add a nasal spray eg nasonex, nasocort, flonase, rhinocort Other options would be montelukast or ketotifen. Both of these medications treat different parts of the reaction that causes post nasal drip I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions