How to Get Rid of a Cough ASAP: 15 Tips From Doctors That Can Help Soothe Your Throat Fast

1Gargle with salt water.jayk7//Getty ImagesA simple way to ease a cough is with salt water. "Salt can kill bacteria," says Keri Peterson, MD, an internal medicine doctor and WH advisor. "It's also soothing." However, salt doesn't kill viruses, so it may not help you heal your cold or cough faster, Dr. Peterson explains.To try this at home, mix half a teaspoon of table salt with eight ounces of warm water.2Sip on ginger tea.letty17//Getty ImagesGinger is well known for its power in calming an upset stomach. Turns out, it can also work wonders for a cough.“Ginger has been found to be helpful in reducing cough and alleviating sore throat, and ginger lozenges are widely used for this purpose,” Dr. Hanak explains.The root also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that are beneficial in treating a variety of conditions, he adds. Brew some ginger tea by using a teabag or pouring hot water over some fresh slices.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below3Consider heartburn meds.SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY//Getty ImagesPepcid, Prilosec, or other antacids can relieve acid reflux and nix any associated coughs, notes Dr. Hanak.If you find it to be a chronic issue, making certain dietary changes may help, such as avoiding citrus, chocolate, high-fat foods, onions, and tomato-based food products, and incorporating high-fiber foods into your diet, like brown rice, celery, lettuce, melon, oatmeal, and root vegetables (think: potatoes).You may also want to drink lots of water and keep your portions small at meals if your coughs are due to reflux, says Dr. Hanak.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below4Add honey to your drinks.Witthaya Prasongsin//Getty ImagesCoughing, but also craving something sweet? You're in luck! “Honey has been found to be helpful in alleviating cough, either on its own or as part of a cup of tea,” says Dr. Hanak.It's soothing to the upper airways, taking that throat tickle away, Dr. Peterson adds. "It's also anti-inflammatory so it helps with inflammation—honey's great."5Take a hot bath or shower.ksalt//Getty ImagesBesides helping you de-stress after a long day, soaking in a hot bath can ease common cold symptoms like congestion, coughing, and sinus pressure, says Dr. Peterson. (A shower works just as well, FYI.) "The steam opens up the airways really well and it soothes," she says.Alternatively, you could try a humidifier, which adds moisture to the air around you and can work in the same way.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below6Hydrate.mikroman6//Getty ImagesHydration is important on any given day, but it can be especially crucial when you have a cough. “Staying well-hydrated can help thin mucus in the back of the throat, which can lead to mild improvement in a cough,” explains Dr. Hanak.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7Grab a lozenge.douglascraig//Getty ImagesAnother quick and easy at-home remedy to stop a cough in its tracks? A lozenge, like Ricola lemon mint drops, for example.8Try a nasal spray.SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY//Getty ImagesIf your cough is a result of allergies, try Flonase or Nasonex paired with a daily allergy pill such as Allegra, Claritin, or Zyrtec, per Dr. Hanak.“Treating allergy symptoms is a common method of resolving postnasal drip and related cough," he says. "This is especially true when a cough is most apparent laying flat or first thing in the morning."A cough can be seasonal or year-round, so paying attention to the timing will allow you to predict and prevent it, he adds.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below9Use a neti pot.Razvan Chisu//Getty ImagesTo tame a cough caused by a postnasal drip, Dr. Hanak and Dr. Peterson suggest using a neti pot, which can wash out any debris or mucus from your nasal passages. “Clearing mucus from the nasal passages can be helpful in reducing post nasal drainage, thereby improving cough,” Dr. Hanak explains.This irrigation device can provide relief for people with allergies and sinus infections, in particular, and Dr. Peterson uses one herself. "They flush out germs, the salt kills the bacteria," she says.But remember to use a neti pot with sterile water to make sure there's no bacteria or other contaminants in it. To ensure it's safe, boil water and refrigerate it or buy distilled water, Dr. Peterson says.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below10Pick up cough medicines.d3sign//Getty ImagesYou also may want to give OTC medications a shot, especially if you've already tried everything else. Antitussives are cough suppressants and can block the cough reflex, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. They "inhibit the cough center in the brain," Dr. Peterson adds. Then there are expectorants, which thin mucus to help get it out, she says.When in doubt, ask your pharmacist or primary care physician, and always remember to check the expiration dates. Dr. Peterson recommends Delsym and Mucinex DM.11Get a prescription medication.MirageC//Getty ImagesWhen in doubt, talk to your doc and see if you might need something stronger, like a prescription medication, for your cough. Benzonatate medications like Tessalon Perles, are specifically recommended by Dr. Peterson, but of course your own doctor will prescribe what’s right for you. Benzonatate "anesthetizes the stretch receptors of the nerves in the airways and works very well to suppress coughs," she explains.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below12Eat probiotics.wilatlak villette//Getty ImagesProbiotics can promote good gut health, but they have also been shown to have a marginal impact on staving off the common cold and reducing coughing, Dr. Hanak says. Great sources of probiotics include yogurt and fermented foods like miso and kimchi.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below13Quit smoking.JGI/Tom Grill//Getty ImagesBy minimizing exposure to chemicals and irritants, which are harmful to the lungs, quitting smoking can cut down on inflammation, Dr. Hanak says. A cough caused by smoking can be progressive, depending on how much someone smokes and how long they have been smoking, he adds.14Consider a chloraseptic throat spray.anilakkus//Getty ImagesChloraseptic throat spray can provide temporary relief for pain, irritation, and soreness in the throat, per Dr. Peterson. "It's instant," she says. "You spray it on, it works immediately, and so it takes away the tickle in the back of the throat." Advertisement - Continue Reading Below15Try throat coat tea.Guido Mieth//Getty ImagesThroat coat tea has licorice and slippery elm, which is licorice-based, and it almost, well, coats the throat, creating a barrier to soothe inflammation, making it a great option for a nagging cough, says Dr. Peterson who sips on the tea daily herself.