When you cough, the mucus and phlegm that comes from the nose and throat can leave behind a metallic taste in your mouth. This may happen when you have a cold or sinus infection.
It is a common upper respiratory infection that usually goes away on its own without treatment. But if it persists for longer than 10 days, you should talk to your doctor.
Causes
A metallic taste when you cough could be a sign of a serious health problem. It’s important to identify the cause and seek professional medical attention if it persists or gets worse.
A common cause of a metallic taste when coughing is an upper respiratory infection. Usually, the virus will run its course, but it’s important to keep your body healthy by resting, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers if needed.
While a cough can be an unpleasant part of any upper respiratory infection, it can be especially troublesome when it causes a metallic taste in your mouth. This is because the phlegm you cough up often contains small amounts of blood, which makes your coughing taste metallic.
This symptom is common in people with a cold or sinus infection, but it doesn’t normally occur with other symptoms such as a sore throat or strep throat. However, if you have other symptoms along with the metallic taste when coughing, it’s a good idea to visit a doctor for a thorough exam.
Another possible cause is gum disease, which affects the tissues in your mouth. Gum disease can make your mouth and teeth smell bad and taste bad, too. It can also irritate your nose, so you may notice a metallic taste when you cough.
Pregnancy can also cause a metallic taste in your mouth, as it can alter how your taste buds work. This typically happens during the first trimester and tends to subside in the second.
Multivitamins that contain a lot of heavy metals such as chromium, copper and zinc can also cause a metallic taste in your tongue. The taste will go away as your body processes the vitamins.
Other supplements that can give you a metallic taste include cold remedies such as zinc lozenges and iron or calcium supplements. These can be effective in treating an illness, but if you don’t like the taste, it’s best to skip them.
Medications such as antidepressants, antibiotics and some cancer treatments can also cause a metallic taste in your breath. If you’re experiencing a metallic taste while taking these medications, talk to your doctor about changing them or finding other ways to treat the condition.
Treatment
If you have a metallic taste when i cough, it’s important to identify the cause and work with your healthcare provider to find the best treatment. It may include monitoring and managing the condition, working with underlying medical conditions or medications, and making lifestyle changes to improve your overall health.
One of the most common causes is gum disease, which can affect the tissues in the mouth and can lead to a metallic taste when you cough. You can reduce this symptom by brushing your teeth twice a day and using mouthwash and floss regularly to keep gums healthy.
Other causes of a metallic taste when you cough include a viral infection, a buildup of phlegm in the chest, or chronic bronchitis. Often, the metallic taste disappears after treating the underlying cause, such as with a cough suppressant medication or an antihistamine.
People with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can also experience a metallic taste in the mouth, which is caused by a buildup of urea. Urea is a chemical that is normally found in the body’s urine.
Some prescription medications can also leave a metallic taste in the mouth, including antibiotics, steroids, and some heartburn medicines. If you’re taking these, ask your doctor about changing to an alternative medication or switching to one that doesn’t leave a metallic taste.
If you’re pregnant, your prenatal vitamins, iron, or calcium supplements may also leave a metallic taste. It’s not unusual for these to cause a metallic taste, especially if you take them during the first trimester.
In addition, if you’re taking certain chemotherapy treatments for cancer, you may have a metallic taste in the mouth because of the effects of the drugs on the body’s cells. The chemicals in these drugs can damage oral cells, says Oral Surgeon Bhuyan of NYU Langone Medical Center.
However, you can minimize this symptom by sucking on mints during your treatment, or using strategies like eating with plastic cutlery or switching to non-metal cookware. You can also avoid foods that are high in sugar or salt, which may mask the taste.
Prevention
Some people may be able to prevent this metallic taste when they cough by paying attention to what they eat and drink. They can also keep their oral hygiene up to date and see a dentist to make sure they have no serious dental issues.
If you have a cold or other upper respiratory infection, you’re likely to experience a metallic taste when you cough. It comes from phlegm and mucus that can build up in your throat.
Most viral respiratory infections resolve on their own, so the taste should go away after they clear up. Bacterial infections, on the other hand, may require antibiotics to treat them.
One possible cause of this type of taste is chemotherapy or radiation therapy. These cancer treatments affect how the senses function and change the flow of saliva. They can also cause nausea, which is common in cancer patients.
Other medications, such as those used to treat indigestion and heartburn, can also trigger a metallic taste when they enter your system. It’s important to consult your doctor if you are taking a medication that can cause this effect.
The taste usually goes away on its own, but it is still a good idea to see your doctor for a proper diagnosis. A medical professional can check your blood work, look at your physical exam, and ask you questions to help diagnose the cause of the taste.
An allergic reaction, especially to foods such as shellfish and tree nuts, can also trigger a metallic taste in the mouth. This is an early symptom of anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate treatment.
Medications like antidepressants can also trigger a metallic taste when they close your taste buds and shut down your ability to taste. This can be a side effect of the drug and should self-resolve when you stop taking it.
Pregnancy can also cause a metallic taste in the mouth, as can food allergies and sinus problems. The taste is often worse during the first trimester, but it can occur throughout pregnancy.
Anxiety and depression can also cause a metallic taste in the teeth and mouth, as they can lead to dry mouth syndrome (xerostomia) that causes a bitter or metallic taste. This is because anxiety can cause your mouth to become dry and your saliva to be less effective at removing bad tastes. If you’re feeling anxious or depressed, it’s a good idea to take steps to improve your mood and reduce stress.
Diagnosis
There are a few different reasons you may experience a metallic taste when i cough. It could be a side effect from certain medications, or it might be a symptom of an underlying health condition.
In most cases, a metallic taste when i cough should resolve on its own once treatment for the cause is complete. However, you should see a doctor to make sure the problem is not a more serious issue.
If the taste is accompanied by fever or other symptoms, it could be a sign that you have an infection. If you have a coughing infection, you may need to get antibiotics to treat the bacterial infection and stop the taste.
Some people also report experiencing a metallic taste when i cough as a side effect of certain cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These medications affect how the body senses salt and sugar.
The taste can sometimes disappear on its own once the treatment ends, but in some cases it might take some time. A doctor may do a physical exam and review your medical history to diagnose the cause of the taste. Blood tests, saliva tests, and imaging scans may also be used to check for underlying conditions that are causing the taste in your mouth.
A dentist will be able to assess the problem and treat it if necessary. Gum disease and other dental problems are often treated with regular teeth cleanings, flossing, and oral care.
Smoking can also cause a metallic taste in the mouth, but smoking should be stopped as soon as possible to avoid serious issues. Other causes of a metallic taste in the mouth include burning mouth syndrome, mouth injuries, and recent oral surgery.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding are also common factors that can cause a metallic taste in the mouth. In these situations, the taste should go away as your baby grows and becomes older.
Anxiety and depression are other common reasons why a metallic taste in the mouth might appear. They can have a negative impact on mental health, so it’s important to prioritize emotional well-being and seek help when needed. Practicing good self-care and connecting with others can also reduce the severity of the problem.