Ok D has audition Saturday . Has sore throat today mild but developing congestion! Ugh. Suggestions please! Humidifier right? What else to save throat/voice for sat?
Warm salt water gargle and rest.
Mucinex can help “drain” congestion (sounds gross I know), and steamer/a hot shower can help break up gunk, as well as moisturizing the vocal chords and reducing swelling. Throat coat really does help soothe a sore/scratchy throat as well. Emergen-C and a good night sleep can help fend off a cold when it’s in the early stages.I don’t know if any of this helps, but it’s what I turn to when I get sick. Best of luck on Saturday!
I completely second the advice from @MThopeful99 - my d just did a show with a cold and used Mucinex, a steamer, hot showers, and Throat Coat to great success (she used 5 calorie Ocean Spray Diet Cran-Cherry to get her 100% RDA vitamin C). She said that singing actually helped drain her sinuses after letting Mucinex take effect (in her words, “it was pretty gross during my voice lesson but open-throat singing really cleared out a bunch of stuff”). You could not tell at all during the show that she was congested and sniffley.
Get a steamer! Saved my kid in chicago. Also, Nasal rinses are gross, but they work. Zicam, Emergen-C to avoid it from coming, but if he has a sore throat its probably coming.
Saline nasal spray is easier and faster than a Neti pot nasal rise and can really help clear nasal mucus.
Stupid question probably…but is a humidifier and a steamer the same thing…or is it two different and if so, do you use them at the same time??
@DVCmember - two different beasts.
Humidifier: fills an area with a steam cloud. Comes in hot or cold steam versions. Put it by your bed when you sleep. The cold steam kind can leave a pretty substantial “dew” on your pillow if you aim directly at you.
Steamer: you fit your face into a plastic nose-mouth shield and breath steam in directly.
Check out postings by VoiceTeacher - I believe he had some great advice on this topic let winter.
The humidifier is needed at night b/c when the heat is on during the winter, we breath in dry air all night; the humidifier adds needed moisture to that air. As for the steamer: Inhaling steam directly is the only way to get hydration on the surface of your vocal fold tissue (as opposed to internal, or systemic, hydration). Everything you swallow moistens your throat tissue ABOVE your vocal folds - also very important for singing, since your throat is a part of your vocal “instrument” as are your tongue, mouth, sinuses, and teeth. But the only way to moisten the vocal cords topically is to inhale steam - and a steamer lets your do it without getting in the shower or otherwise de-beautifying the rest of you.
Hmmmmm…making a list of things to slowly get for my daughter for her college dorm…things like a mini fridge, microwave, etc etc…think I am going to add a humidifier and a steamer to the list!!!
Thanks all for tips. We ended up having to cancel audition as D was losing voice and it was too far to balance the costs of going with a crappy audition. …so have to write that one off. I did break down and buy the purmist handheld steamer and D has been using it and says it’s helping her be less congested. Figured may as well fork out the $ for it. Am going to get humidifier for room as well . Now if we could just catch LESS colds!!
You may want to try Secret of Thieves (essential oils) for cold prevention, along with the usual probiotics, vitamins, rest, and eating well. I learned about Secret of Thieves from someone on this forum, actually, and I’m glad I did!
@myloves is that like the doterra on guard? We have those beadlets my D takes …
Yes, it is like On Guard. When we use it, we rub it on our feet and, if we’ve been around sick people or feel anything come on, behind our earlobes.