Why does my dry cough flare up with cold air and strong smells?

[JohnJ]

I’ve been struggling with a persistent, dry cough for months now, and my doctor mentioned it might be a sign of bronchial hyperresponsiveness. I’m just wondering if anyone else has experienced this specific kind of cough that seems to flare up with cold air or strong smells, even when I don’t have an active infection.

[NicholasTM]

Yeah I know that feeling. I had a dry cough that would spike when the air got cold or when people wore perfume or strong detergents nearby. It stuck around for months between colds, and there wasn’t a clear infection every time. I started noticing it happening more after I exercised outside and then came home to a dry hallway. Blocking scents with a scarf helped a little, and I tried to keep the room warmer and a touch humid, but it didn’t fix it.

[PaisleyD]

I used to blame allergies, but the pattern didn’t fit well. Some days it felt like post nasal drip only in the morning, other days it hit after a whiff of laundry detergent. It made me question if it was just irritants or something airway related rather than a infection.

[Aurora_L]

I kept a tiny diary for a while—note the weather, smells, what I ate, and when the coughing started or flared. It didn’t solve anything, but I did notice more episodes on windy days and when the heater ran. I also tried a cheap humidifier for the bedroom; didn’t cure it, but the air didn’t feel as harsh.