Karaoke Forums

ok, the crew that came down to p'ville last weekend got to hear me screech out a couple of songs due to the allergies being so bad here this year.  it got me to thinking....how do the pros so it?  when my allergies are acting up (which is october to february) i can't sing anything except johnny cash because my voice sounds like a bullfrog.  how do y'all cope ith this?
 i've tried everything from throat losenges to pills to honey and bourbon.   i'm out of ideas!

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All work and no play make Homer something something

I like Sudafed if I have congestion followed by liberal doses of straight Crown or Cognac, skip the honey.

Course I'm not a professional but it does usually help!  And if it doesn't help, you end up not caring anyway...  

--Tad

When I'm a little under the weather I drink Rumple or Doctor McGilicuddy's on the rocks.  The peppermint feels good on the throat and the vapors help the sinuses

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Spreading the karaoke gospel

one nip of rum to two nips of stones ginger wine. (no not ginger ale)
no ice no mixer, gargle and swallow. Its a great pick me up for the throat half way through a gig

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"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

I'd suggest staying away from alcohol of any kind before performing.  Even a small amount MAY make your throat feel better for a spell, but alcohol is an irritant and will most likely make things even worse! Your best bet, and many professional singers do this routinely if possible is to take a hot shower before performing.  Lacking a shower facility, just running into the bathroom and running hot water and breathing the vapors in will help to clear up the phleghm and other junk gunking up the works.  Drink plenty of fluids, hot herbal tea is best.  I checked some of this out in a book I have that has not failed me yet! Good luck--and I can empathize with you as I was just recently diagnosed as suffering from allergies myself (At my age? It can happen they tell me!)

Sudafed PE or the generic psuedoeffidrine hydrochloride pe doesn't work worth a sh*t.......you have to sign your life away to get one pack of the real thing(which works well), thanks to the methheads....steroidal nose sprays work pretty good, but that's some serious medicine....I stay away from that. I like over-the counter Nasal Crom, and some people swear by Zicam......Halls cough drops, feel good at first, but then seem to irratate my throat. I prefer regular Ricola cough drops(nothing added).....as always....lots of H2O.........gator ade.....h2o....gator ade....H2O......warm drinks, even coffee helps me.....black(for me), or maybe honey....no sugar....and def, no cream

mucho appreciatory on the tips, y'all.  it's more of a gravelly voice like i'm almost losing it more than anything.  sudafed, or better yet actifed works for the stuffiness.  will have to try some of the remedies for the throat that you've come up with!

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All work and no play make Homer something something

I could be wrong, but actifed might have an antihistamine in it, that will make most people drowsy....sudafed is an upper...

not, sure.  actifed never makes me sleepy like benadryl does.  clear me right up as far as breathing goes though!

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All work and no play make Homer something something

Actually Actifed is exactly the same as sudafed, only an antihistamine is added...I checked it out....add alcohol....and you could have some problems....

The answer is to flood with water. If you drink 2 liters of water (small person) or a gallon (big people like me) it will mitigate the symptoms.

For me, the big problem with allergies is phlegm in the throat -- that is solved by water as well, but the problem is that if I sing a gig first, I have to flood with water again or it comes back.

that's pretty much what i've found.....water water everywhere~  reminds me of football days.  have to drink a coupleof gallons of water a day for about three or four days before so it can get into my system!  still have problems most nights during allergy season, though

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All work and no play make Homer something something

I use saline nasal spray at least 5 hours beforehand and drink lots of water as well (not so much that I'm "full"). I try not to use the Saline after that timeframe because it tends to seep down into my throat.

Texas is imfamous for allergies and such, so when I'm there I try to prepare. Everyone's different too, so knowing what will affect you in certain ways ahead of time helps. I can't drink alcohol for days before I sing - It makes my whole system way too dried out, and no amount of water will bring it back to 100%. So, to those who can get up there after downing a case of beer the night before, I'm jealous!

Man I've always had allergies - hence the circles under my eyes often. It can really screw with my singing and from day to day I may or may not be able to sing the same song well. Few years ago I also got pneumonia (day after being out at karaoke) and that screwed up my voice for about a year. After that I have occasional asthma which also messes with me.

What do I do? Whatever I can! Nothing! Everything! Anything! Guess I take Claritin when it is bad. I clear my voice a lot and often blow my nose between songs as well as hack the crap out of my throat (sorry ladies for that visual). I also drink water as I sing. I think beer or wine helps more though - sipping it. It's not always that bad. Lately for last year or so I haven't had too many symptoms fortunately.

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The Truth Is Out There

OK here it is.

I just went to the doctor 2 weeks ago for a throat thing I get very often.

By looking up your nose the doctor can tell by the color of the lining, if it's from an infection or allergies.  

He has allergies and said this is the worst year in 80 years for allergies.


My sinus runs down the back of my throat, making it raw.


He gave me 2 prescriptions.

Zyrtec 10 mg tablets and Nasonex spray.  


Everything was back to normal 3 days later.

I stopped taking everything when it was gone.   I don't like to take that stuff unless it's absolutely necessary.

Go to the doctor and get doped up.  

He also suggested Afrin spray.


I had a sinus infection last year that knocked me down so bad, I didn't have the strength to sit in my recliner.     NO exaggeration.     I thought death was coming.   The symptoms start out the same.   So get it seen early.  :yes:

I forgot.

That will be $25 cash, please.

MUST be a quack! Doctors charge a minimum of $90 a visit here!

Hello. I'm Dr Kevorkian. I don't charge for my services. Anyone need anything? I can help on a permanent basis.  :no:

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Who loves ya baby?

I have horrible allergies year round. I'm allergic to dust of all things. Now add a smokey bar and I'm really in a bad way.

I take allergy medicine everyday - Claritin Rocks !! You need to take it for a couple days for it to start working though. after that it is only one or two pills daily. I used to take one pill every morning, but after years of taking it I've built up a tolerence, so now it's one in the morning one at night. Costco makes a generic version that is very affordable.

I also take Nasonex spray once in a while. It dries out my sinus cavities, so I use it sparingly. If I have a singing gig I'll use it right before I leave for the gig.

If I'm just doing karaoke I don't use it.

I have learned to avoid songs with a lot of MMMMs and NNNNs in the songs  LMAO .
I hate sounding nasally! If I have a song that MMMs I usually OOOh instead.

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