Fact Check: Can Putting Alcohol On Neck Make Your Cough Disappear?

A viral Instagram reel claims that Putting Alcohol On Neck can Make Your Cough Disappear. This claim by the Instagram user is False

Claim

In a viral Instagram reel, it is claimed that Putting Alcohol alcohol on neck can make your cough disappear. The reel by user letsmakeez is titled "When did you learn that alcohol can make your cough disappear?" and features a woman applying alcohol to a cloth and wrapping it around her neck. "If coughing so much and don't know what to do. Do that, and you will see the coughing going away. If you 0ut some alcohol in a cloth and put it around your neck, it will make the cough reduce a lot. I remember my mother doing that when I was younger!" The reel has 50,002 likes and can be accessed here.

Fact Check

The claim by Instagram user that Putting Alcohol On Neck can Make Your Cough Disappear is False. Consuming alcohol might help suppress a cough, but applying it to the neck won't make the cough disappear.

What is Cough?

A cough is an involuntary reflex action. When irritants like mucus, germs, or dust affect your throat and airways, your body instinctively reacts by coughing. Just like other reflexes such as sneezing or blinking, coughing serves to safeguard your body. 

There are various coughs, each with unique characteristics that can help doctors determine the underlying cause. A cough that produces phlegm or mucus is known as a productive cough and may indicate conditions like pneumonia, bronchitis, or the flu, with mucus color potentially signaling more severe issues. It is important to consult a doctor if the cough produces yellowish-green phlegm or blood. Conversely, a dry or nonproductive cough does not generate mucus.

Can Cough Disappear?

Coughs are generally classified as either acute or chronic. Acute coughs, which last up to three weeks, are generally the least concerning and often resolve without medical intervention. However, medical attention is advised if accompanied by symptoms like fever, headache, drowsiness, or shortness of breath. Additionally, coughs that produce distinct sounds such as whooping, wheezing, or barking may point to more serious conditions. Chronic coughs, persisting for over eight weeks, can be indicative of serious or long-term lung diseases.

Acute coughs may resolve on their own and disappear, while chronic coughs typically persist and require targeted medical treatment for resolution.

Dr. Mrigakshi Aggarwal, MBBS, DNB - Respiratory Diseases, Diploma in Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases (DTCD), Pulmonologist, Sanjeevan Hospital, Delhi explained, "A cough can often disappear on its own, especially if it’s acute—lasting less than three weeks—typically due to a mild infection or irritant like dust or a cold. The body can often clear these issues with rest, hydration, and simple remedies like warm teas or honey, with over-the-counter medications providing additional relief. However, if the cough becomes chronic, lasting over eight weeks, or is accompanied by symptoms like chest pain, fever, or shortness of breath, consulting a healthcare provider is essential. Chronic coughs may indicate conditions such as asthma, GERD, or infections that require targeted treatment."

About Alcohol

Alcohol contains ethanol, a psychoactive and toxic substance known for its potential to cause dependence. While alcohol has been consumed across many cultures for centuries, its use is associated with considerable health risks and harm.

As per WHO, "Worldwide, 2.6 million deaths were attributable to alcohol consumption in 2019, of which 2 million were among men and 0.6 million among women. The highest levels of alcohol-related deaths per 100 000 persons are observed in the WHO European and African Regions with 52.9 deaths and 52.2 deaths per 100 000 people, respectively.

The data on global alcohol consumption in 2019 shows that an estimated 400 million people aged 15 years and older live with alcohol use disorders, and an estimated 209 million live with alcohol dependence."

Can Alcohol Make Your Cough Disappear?

Scientific evidence suggests that moderate alcohol consumption may suppress the cough reflex but increases the risk of lung infections from aspiration. While brief, low-level exposure might benefit airway health by enhancing mucociliary clearance and reducing inflammation, chronic or high alcohol intake disrupts this balance, impairing airway clearance and worsening conditions like asthma and COPD. However, most of the evidence is focusing on consumption or drinking of alcohol. There is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to support the claim that Putting Alcohol On Neck can Make Your Cough Disappear.

Some studies have indicated that alcohol consumption may provide some relief in cases of cough and cold. H. Berkowitz et. al.'s study showed that moderate amounts of ethanol (alcohol) can significantly suppress the cough reflex. Having said that , this study doesn't mention anything about the complete elimination or disappearance of cough.

While there is positive evidence of consumption of alcohol on impression of cough, there is also Evidence that shows that consuming alcohol in high doses can have harmful effects on lung health. A study by Joseph H Sisson et. al. revealed that alcohol exposure impacts lung airway functions in a concentration and duration-dependent manner. While brief exposure to low concentrations of alcohol may enhance mucociliary clearance and reduce airway inflammation, prolonged and heavy exposure can impair clearance, complicate asthma management, and worsen COPD outcomes.

Similarly, another article published in the American Review of Respiratory Disease found that lifetime alcohol consumption is linked to an increased risk of chronic cough and phlegm but not wheezing. Additionally, alcohol consumption was associated with lower FEV1 levels, indicating a potential impact on lung function. An unexpected interaction suggested that alcohol may have a protective effect on lung function in heavy smokers, warranting further investigation into these complex relationships.

Studies suggest that short-term, low-level alcohol exposure might help relax the airways and slightly suppress the cough reflex. However, they also highlight that excessive alcohol consumption can negatively impact lung health. Importantly, there is no scientific evidence backing the claim that Putting Alcohol On Neck can Make Your Cough Disappear

Responding to the claim Dr Kamal Kant Kohli, MBBS, DTCD, Chest Specialist, New Delhi said, "Although alcohol might feel temporarily soothing due to its warming sensation, it doesn’t help a cough disappear and may even worsen symptoms. Alcohol can irritate the respiratory tract, leading to increased inflammation, and its dehydrating effects may dry out the throat, making a cough more uncomfortable. Also, there are no studies or positive impacts of topical application of Alcohol on the Neck. It cannot make cough disappear. For effective relief, it’s best to focus on proven remedies: stay hydrated, try warm teas with honey, and get plenty of rest. If your cough lasts more than a few weeks, consider consulting a doctor for targeted treatment."

Dr. Mrigakshi Aggarwal, MBBS, DNB - Respiratory Diseases, Diploma in Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases (DTCD), Pulmonologist, Sanjeevan Hospital, Delhi further explained, "Applying alcohol to the neck to relieve a cough is not supported by medical evidence. While some believe that the cooling effect of alcohol may provide a soothing sensation, this is purely superficial and does not address the underlying cause of a cough. Effective treatment should focus on identifying and managing the root cause of the cough, whether it is due to a viral infection, allergies, or another condition. It's important to consult a doctor for appropriate diagnosis and treatment rather than relying on unproven remedies."

Medical Dialogues Final Take

Low and short-term alcohol exposure may reduce the cough reflex although it raises the risk of lung infections from aspiration. On the contrary, Lifetime alcohol use is also linked to chronic cough, phlegm, and lower FEV1 levels, showing reduced lung function. Having said this, all the evidence is linked to alcohol consumption. There is no scientific evidence or medical consensus that supports the claim that the topical application or specifically Putting Alcohol On Neck can Make Your Cough Disappear.

Hence, the claim by the Instagram user is False.