Chronic Dry Cough in Allergic Respiratory Diseases: Diagnostic and Management Approach.

ABSTRACT

Cough is considered as a single most common complaint for which patients globally seek medical attention. A multitude of allergic etiologies contribute to the development of chronic cough in adults, which makes the diagnosis and treatment quite challenging. Allergic cough is a distinct entity where there is no respiratory obstruction and there is presence of a family history, past history and/or concomitant allergic conditions. Sensitivity to allergens is readily demonstrable by skin testing. It is also characterized by a therapeutic response to epinephrine and a periodic nature. The intention of this article is to highlight the common causes of chronic dry cough associated with allergic diseases, to differentiate allergic cough from various other causes of chronic cough associated with asthma syndromes (which include related airway disorders like ‘classic’ asthma [cough-variant asthma], nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis and atopic cough) and to discuss its management strategies.