To begin with, why does ice cream make me cough? Because of the sudden irritation of the throat and airways, ice cream can cause someone to cough. The body doesn’t have enough time to adjust to the temperature change, which can also result from allergies and breathing in ice cream’s cold air.

There are many reasons why people may cough after eating in general. Coughing is a reaction that can be brought on by food allergies. Cold foods, along with spicy and greasy foods, can set off autoimmune reactions that result in coughing. The symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease can also include heartburn and coughing after meals.

Coughing after eating can be brought on by esophageal or laryngeal infections. Food may become stuck in the throat as a result of dysphagia, which can make swallowing difficult and cause coughing. People with asthma may cough when eating certain foods that contain irritating additives.

Please read on.

Why Does Ice Cream Make Me Cough?

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is another typical reason for unexplained coughing after meals. You might be tempted to blame the ice cream, though, if you only became aware of this after having it a few times.

The irritation caused by this reflux causes chest pain and esophageal wall irritation.

Allergy

Your cough may be caused most frequently by an allergy.

It might be a milk product allergy if you start coughing after eating ice cream. Since this allergy will manifest itself when you consume other products that contain dairy, you can quickly determine if that is the case.

When our bodies are allergic to particular foods and beverages, coughing due to allergy results. This is how it responds to potential threats that must be immediately neutralized.

Coughing is merely a signal from our body’s immune system that something dangerous has entered it.

Considering the ice cream’s other ingredients should be done if milk is not used. If there are nuts, it might be a nut allergy. Or it might be a secret ingredient to which you were unaware that you were allergic.

Asthma

The primary cause is also the most obvious explanation for why people cough after eating ice cream.

Similar to how quickly drinking a cold beverage can cause a brain freeze, sometimes the sudden drop in temperature is enough to cause coughing.

People who have asthma are more sensitive to various environmental factors, such as pollen, dust, smoke, and stress, which can interfere with their daily lives.

They may experience breathing problems and tightening of the chest after eating something cold.

Infection

Bacteria, fungi, and viruses are just a few examples of the microorganisms that can cause infections, and they all need to be treated properly by a doctor.

Coughing while eating or drinking cold foods and beverages in particular, or after doing so, may be brought on by infections.

Gerd

The condition known as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is another potential cause of this cough. Many unexplained coughs, especially those that occur after meals, are caused by it.

This cough could be brought on by any food or beverage, but for you, it usually starts right after eating ice cream.

When you experience pain in your chest or upper abdomen while coughing, you can be certain that it is GERD-related. If the answer is yes, GERD is to blame.

To put it simply, some of the stomach’s acid tends to reflux into the esophagus. This is brought on by the fact that eating or drinking increases the volume of the stomach’s contents and the production of acid.

The likelihood that it will happen increases with stomach content. You coughed and experienced chest pain because the acid irritated your throat.

Hard Mucus

When you eat ice cream, the substance travels down your esophagus and comes in contact with your trachea, triggering a coughing fit.

The trachea cools as a result of the ice cream’s cold temperature, which causes the mucus to thicken and solidify.

Bronchospasm

It is a condition in which the muscles that surround the airways suddenly tighten; this narrowing of the airways ultimately leads to breathing problems and coughs.

Nearly 5–10% of people experience it frequently, especially those who have asthma or allergies. Even so, if you don’t experience these problems, it’s possible that your throat is sensitive and that it reacts by coughing when it is suddenly cold.

Throat Infection

Let’s say that you have a throat infection. When attempting to consume ice cream or even a cold beverage in that situation, you will experience coughing as well as other negative effects.

Your throat has become irritable and swollen due to infection. Ice cream and other cold foods aren’t good during this time.

Eating it would only result in coughing fits. Therefore, give your throat better attention.

Avoid anything cold for a while, even if you only feel a slight issue.

Get Rid Of A Cough

There are numerous reasons why people cough, but what happens next? Check out the tips in the following paragraphs to learn how to stop coughing and get some relief.

Turmeric

One of the oldest ayurvedic spices still used today is turmeric, which is found in every Indian home. This enchanted herb can treat a number of illnesses, including cough.

This yellow spice has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine to treat skin and respiratory conditions. Before going to bed, mix a few pinches of turmeric into a warm glass of milk.

Inhale Steam

One of the simplest uses of essential oils for cough relief is inhaling steam. Steam is beneficial because warm air can sooth the throat and clear congestion.

Even some Vicks can be added to a bowl of hot water if you don’t have any essential oils. Inhale for 5-7 minutes while supine over the bowl with a towel over your head.

Ginger

Ginger is a superfood that can treat a number of illnesses, including nausea, the flu, colds, and cough.

You can sip on some hot ginger tea flavored with honey and pepper to help with coughing. Ginger should not be consumed in excess as it disturbs your internal organs and can cause heartburn.

Honey

Ayurveda claims that honey is the oldest cough remedy that is healthy. However, because it can occasionally result in infant botulism, it should never be given to infants under the age of one.

Drink two cups of warm water or herbal tea with one tablespoon of honey added each day.

Salt Water Gargle

Even medical professionals advise gargling as a home remedy for sore throats. Because saltwater is osmotic, fluid motion simply changes direction.

For immediate relief, mix 1/4 teaspoon salt in 1.5 cups of warm water and gargle several times throughout the day.

Licorice Tea

The best treatment for throat irritation is a cup of warm licorice root tea.

Warm liquid should be consumed after boiling for 10 to 12 minutes with one teaspoon of licorice powder in 250 mL of water.

Consult A Doctor

After a few weeks, an acute cough brought on by an irritant, allergen, or infection usually goes away.

However, if it persists for more than two to three weeks and you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or a fever, you should visit your doctor.

Why Do I Cough After Drinking Cold Things?

In light of this, you may be experiencing a cold-related reaction if you only cough when you come into contact with something chilly rather than just dairy. The fact that this is the case does not imply that you have a cold allergy.

Eating something cold causes our breathing to slightly narrow, which causes us to cough as a reflex, much like exiting a hot tub and entering a cold plunge pool. This is normal; don’t be alarmed; it’s just a typical reaction.

Why Does Being Cold Make Me Cough?

Cold foods and beverages can also irritate the tissues in your throat, especially if they are icy cold. Although our bodies were not particularly made for this, it can cause some throat irritation even though it can feel very nice in the summer. It might also set off a reflex.

When I Eat Dairy, Why Do I Cough?

If you have a sensitivity, that is the main reason you would cough after consuming dairy. This merely indicates that your body is slightly sensitive to dairy; it does not indicate that you have an allergy. The best course of action in this case is to limit your intake of dairy and stay away from it whenever possible.

Why Do Milkshakes Give Me The Flu?

When you cough after consuming a milkshake, it may have been too cold and shocked your system, or it may have been a sign of lactose intolerance or sensitivity to dairy products.

See more about Can You Freeze Cooked Rice?

FAQs

Final Words

Here are seven potential reasons why you might cough after consuming ice cream or other cold foods. Don’t freak out if you’re having this issue. It is in your best interest to speak with a physician so that the precise cause—in your particular case—can be identified and appropriately treated.

But for the time being, you might want to avoid eating ice cream and other things that make you cough before visiting your doctor. And if you must eat ice cream before seeing your doctor, make sure to do so slowly and in small amounts at a time.