allergies

Anyone have tricks/methods they employ for dealing w/allergies? I find meds drying and irritating to the throat...But during the spring months i'm constantly battling phlegm in my throat...

I feel your pain!

I'm constantly battling a dry throat now due to allergies... Water just doesn't seem to help either.

I don't know if I get allergies or not, but I do notice when Mr Nose is not 100% perfect, I tend to have to clear my throat every few lines when singing in order to get a clean sound to my voice. It is annoying, to say the least.

it's especially annoying when i'm sometimes singing a phrase w/a particularly long note at the end and a bit of junk is forced up on my chords (due to air flow) and interrupts my note...arghhh..I have learned to shorten the note and turn away from the mic but it's so annoying...fortunately it never affects my nasal cavity..just my upper bronchial and throat cavity...I'm gonna do a little research to find something on the subject...and get back to here w/info...

I swim. Swimming breaks up mucus in my lungs and I cough it out, then I shower maybe the steam cleans my throat. Singing exercise scales cleans me out also.

I find it useful to drink raw, natural honey from the region where you live. Because the bees produce honey from local pollen, a local honey will help your body to develop an immunity to your region's common allergies. It also coats your throat. Also, when buying honey, look for the thick, granular stuff to be sure it's 100% natural. Grocery store brands usually have labels that read:"100% Natural" but FDA allows companies with 50/50 ratios of honey to corn syrup to claim they are 100% natural honey. Try to find it at a mom and pop farmers market.

I know I don't post very often, but I assure you that I'm not a local honey farm owner trying to generate business.

Another thing I learned from my ENT is that when your nose is stuffed/swollen, you subconsciously breathe through your mouth, causing extra irritation. Afrin and Vicks are temporary fixes for nasal congestion but they work by restricting blood flow so Ocean Spray (the nose spray, not the juice) is a safe bet if you have nasal problems.

Sorry for posting a novel, but I thought I'd share some of my lessons learned since I've experienced my share of allergies.

As far as clearing up phlegm without drying you out, I've found something that works for me. It's kind of against the grain, but try Wild Turkey American Honey. It's whiskey which cuts through phlegm while the honey coats your throat. Obviously alcohol can dry you out, but stick to one or two of these before you sing and it shouldn't leave you too dry and it will definitely rid you of some of that phlegm.

I have actually noticed the phegm clears somewhat when drinking a glass of wine..so this makes sense..I found a vocal exercise as well to do before I sing that will bring it up as well..(the ng sound up the scale gently).I'm liking the honey/whiskey remedy...I also noticed if I chew gum while singing (I realize not everyone can do this) it keeps the junk very thin and more easily removed and keeps my throat moist as well...