A metallic taste in the mouth, especially when accompanied by a cough, is a common sensation often described as tasting blood or old coins. It can stem from various factors, some benign and transient, others indicating underlying conditions that warrant attention. Understanding its causes helps determine when it’s a temporary annoyance or a sign of something more significant.
Common Reasons for a Metallic Taste
A frequent cause of metallic taste when coughing is an upper respiratory infection, such as a common cold, flu, or bronchitis. These infections inflame airways, increasing mucus production. This mucus can contain minute blood traces due to irritation, or the infection itself can alter taste perception, resulting in a metallic flavor.
Forceful or persistent coughing can irritate the respiratory tract’s delicate lining, causing tiny blood vessels to rupture. Even a very small amount of blood, due to the iron content in hemoglobin, produces a distinct metallic taste. This can occur even without visible blood in sputum.
Intense physical exertion can also trigger a metallic taste with coughing. During strenuous exercise, increased lung pressure can lead to exercise-induced pulmonary edema. This causes red blood cells to leak into the lung’s air sacs, releasing hemoglobin. When coughed up, the iron in hemoglobin is detected by taste receptors, creating the metallic sensation.
Other Potential Causes
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, is another potential source of metallic taste. If acid reaches the throat or mouth, it can irritate taste buds or directly cause a metallic sensation. A chronic cough is a known GERD symptom, and this combination can lead to the taste.
Oral health issues, such as gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis), can also contribute to a metallic taste. These conditions involve bacterial overgrowth and gum inflammation, leading to bleeding. Even minor gum bleeding can introduce blood into the mouth, resulting in a metallic flavor, especially if coughing exacerbates it.
Certain medications list a metallic taste as a known side effect. These include some antibiotics, antidepressants, and blood pressure medications. While the medication might be the primary cause, it can become more noticeable or persistent when combined with coughing, which might bring oral secretions into contact with taste buds.
Allergies and asthma can also play a role, especially if they involve chronic inflammation or irritation of the airways. Conditions that lead to increased mucus production or narrowed breathing passages, like those seen in allergic reactions or asthma attacks, can sometimes result in a metallic taste. This can make the symptom more pronounced.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While a metallic taste with coughing is often benign, certain symptoms warrant medical evaluation. If the taste persists for more than a few days or weeks beyond a common illness, or progressively worsens, consult a healthcare provider. Persistence suggests an underlying condition requiring diagnosis and treatment.
Immediate medical attention is necessary if the metallic taste is accompanied by concerning signs. These include significant or increasing visible blood in phlegm, shortness of breath, chest pain, or a high fever (103°F or 39.4°C or higher) lasting more than five days. New or severe wheezing also signals a need for prompt medical care.
Individuals with pre-existing conditions, particularly heart, lung, or kidney disease, should seek medical advice if they experience a metallic taste with coughing. New or changing symptoms could indicate an exacerbation of their condition or a new issue requiring professional management.
Steps for Managing the Symptom
Maintaining adequate hydration is an effective step to help manage a metallic taste when coughing. Drinking plenty of water keeps the mouth moist and helps thin mucus, making it easier to clear from the airways. This can also help dilute any metallic-tasting substances in the mouth.
Practicing consistent oral hygiene can also alleviate the symptom, especially if oral health issues contribute. Regular brushing, flossing, and mouthwash use can reduce bacteria and inflammation. A tongue scraper can also help remove residues that affect taste.
Using a humidifier, particularly in dry environments, can soothe irritated airways and reduce coughing, lessening the metallic taste. Avoiding irritants like smoke, strong chemicals, or known allergens can also help prevent coughing triggers and the associated taste. For common illnesses, rest and over-the-counter remedies can help manage the cough, often resolving the taste as symptoms subside.