We find out if you can actually ‘blow dry’ chronic cough away

Social media can be both — informative and impossible to believe. Case in point an Instagram post that suggested using a dryer — wait for it — not for your hair but to reduce cough. Now that was a first! According to Jimmy Yen, CEO and founder of Achieve Integrative Health page on Instagram, blow drying your chest and back can help get relief in case of chronic cough.

According to Yen,

*Aim your blow dryer at your chest and gently move it around it feels warm. “This boosts blood circulation to your lungs, easing inflammation and clearing mucus,” claimed Yen.

*If possible, blow dry your back too. “Enlist some help if needed, but be cautious not to burn yourself,” said Yen.

*Continue blow drying until both your chest and back feel warm. “This warmth opens up your airways and loosens mucus, making it easier to cough out. Don’t worry if you cough more initially — it means it’s working to clear out the gunk,” mentioned Yen.

So, we turned to an expert to understand whether this simple practice can help you find relief from “chronic cough”.

Dr Syed Abdul Aleem, consultant pulmonologist, CARE Hospitals Musheerabad said that blow drying your chest and back is unlikely to directly reduce a cough. “Coughing is typically caused by irritation in the respiratory tract, such as from infections, allergies, or chronic conditions like asthma. While warm air might provide some temporary comfort or help ease muscle tension, it does not address the underlying cause of a cough,” said Dr Aleem.

Can you blow dry cough? (Source: Achieve Integrative Health/Instagram)

For effective cough relief, consider the following approaches:

1. Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids to help thin mucus and keep your throat moist, said Dr Aleem.
2. Humidify the air: Using a humidifier can help keep the air moist, which may soothe irritated airways.
3. Rest: Ensure you get adequate rest to help your body fight off infections.
4. Over-the-counter remedies: Cough suppressants or expectorants can provide temporary relief, said Dr Aleem.
5. Medical consultation: “See a doctor if the cough persists for more than a few weeks or is accompanied by other severe symptoms like high fever, chest pain, or difficulty breathing,” noted Dr Aleem.

If you believe your cough is related to muscle tension or irritation due to cold air, “using warm compresses or taking a warm shower might be more effective than blow drying”, advised Dr Aleem. “However, for any persistent or severe cough, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional,” said Dr Aleem.

Dr Harish Chafle, senior consultant, intensivist chest physician, bronchoscopists and sleep disorders specialist, Gleneagles Hospital Parel said that instead of hair dryer, hot water steam is very useful for getting rid of thick inspissated secretions from the upper and lower airway. “Hot water steam is considered as the best mucolytic agent available rather than taking mucolytic cough syrups. Using hair dryer is a bad idea as prolonged use can dry out one’s skin and cause chafing,” said Dr Chafle.

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