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Managing a runny nose onstage
- Thread starter DaveParker39
- Start date
This was a REAL PROBLEM when I lived in Jacksonville in the 80's, Miami Vice and Scarface days, LOTS of guys had runny noses and 'allergy problems'.
Nothing annoys me more than a stuffy/runny nose and nothing works better than Afrin. The downside is that you shouldn't use it more than 3 days in a row, because then it'll make the stuffiness worse (says so on the package and I can confirm). Not a long-term solution, but in an urgent situation it really works.
This is something that I deal with sometimes as well. I also sweat to beat the band. I've noticed recently that my face seems to insist on draining all of my fluids when I get hot, whether it's on stage or working tin the yard. I also think it might have something to do with the beer I'm drinking at a gig. I'm definitely allergic to IPAs and try to stick to brands that I know don't affect me. I don't always have the option for a known brand, so sometimes I think the beer contributes.
I always have a hanky in the back pocket and try to be as discreet as I can when the nose gets going.
I've always had a little hand towel within reach for sweat wipes between songs.
I always have a hanky in the back pocket and try to be as discreet as I can when the nose gets going.
I've always had a little hand towel within reach for sweat wipes between songs.
I have the opposite problem. When I sing the whole show, I get very congested. I've had people tell me to knock off the Willie Nelson imitation.
Some more information. It turns out that one should limit antihistamines.
Runny Nose: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Runny Nose: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
No solutions, besides maybe try some Afrin spray before shows. I feel for you, though. I instantly get a stuffed up nose when I exercise. People always say to breathe in through the nose, out through the mouth during cardio…not really an option for me.
Nasal spray before showtime, or see if a Zyrtec does the trick. You snotty bass player!
Decongestants, not antihistamines. Two completely different classes of drug.
There's no over the counter antihistamine spray that I'm aware of anymore (they used to exist). You can still get them via prescription; they might help with a runny nose.
But decongestants like Afrin that you get in the drug store relieve a stuffy nose, not a runny one. They may actually cause your nose to run. They are well-known to have a rebound effect where if you use them for several days your nose will get more stuffy and you end up wanting to keep using them. I'm not aware of any antihistamine that has this effect. Due to my allergies I take double doses of zyrtec every day. No problems there.
Disclaimer; I'm not a doctor, this isn't meant as medical advice, and your doctor is the best person to ask. I'm posting mainly to clarify that decongestants and antihistamines are different things with different effects.
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Same here. It’s maddening! (And annoying.) Empirically, I seem to notice it happens more often if I’m focused on a task and likely breathing thru my mouth more than my nose. Happens a lot if I’m playing a video game.
Actually had to detox from that stuff once. Took most of a week before I could breath thru my nose without it.
Not a runny nose, but when I leave a restaurant and begin driving I go in to a sneezing fit where I have between 6 and 12 monster sneezes before it subsides.It could help to know if it's the stage, like being physically on stage, or if it's the fact you're performing that triggers the runny nose ! Do you get it when you perform elsewhere? Do you get it if you walk on stage without the intention of performing?Maybe it'd help to determine whether it's an internal or external cause ?
Having done outside fall/winter family visits during the early/mid days of the pandemic, I found a mask to be a great away to absorb the annoying little runs one gets in the nostrils area. Just wear a mask. It is mostly acceptable in most parts of the world. A quick little mask adjustment resolves any leakage.
Have you ever seen a runny nose in a small child at a day care? Sometimes they get this glob that inflates and deflates with every inhale. So gross.
Have you ever seen a runny nose in a small child at a day care? Sometimes they get this glob that inflates and deflates with every inhale. So gross.
