THE COMMON cast COLD

Private User
Actor

As I am suffering with a rotten cold whilst in Panto, I thought to myself...what do other actors do to avoid or make better the Common cold?!

Everyone seems to recommend a product called First defence....but that's too late for me now! My own belief is that there is nothing much that can be done....but I bet there are some good theories out there?!


  • 15 years ago
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You have to just sit it out Im afraid. Be careful how you use your voice, warm up extra, drink lots of water and rest at every opportunity.

Avoid anything for the sore throat etc with menthol in it as it dried out teh voice and while you dont feel pain you could be pushing it and do extra damage.

Avoid anyone who has the lurgy so you dont get reinfection and get lots of sleep.


  • 15 years ago
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It's an oldie, but a goodie... the one thing that has always prevented a cold from going any further (for me, anyway) is Echinacha (sp?)tea. I think it's a combination of the healthy herb and the hot beverage, but it works! During shows I've been known to drink about twenty a day!


  • 15 years ago
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NO MENTHOL. Its numbs the vocal cords and in panto season you need to be aware of how you can damage your voice with so many shows. Anything with menthol, bath salts etc is to be avoided so you dont permanently damage the voice which can happen when ill


  • 15 years ago
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Raw garlic.


  • 15 years ago
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Or garlic capsules - so you don't blast the rest of the cast away!


  • 15 years ago
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Dolidh Young
Actor

To get rid of that urgh feeling of a cold, I use Contac... it's avaliable over the counter and doesn't make you sleepy.
It says on the box it's congestion relief from cold, flu and allergy symptoms.
Good luck!


  • 15 years ago
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it is all about garlic!!! you can take garlic flu pills from boots, natural remedy or just eat it raw. my friend mashed it with butter and had it on toast, not the most pleasant experience but it got her through an exam when we were studying!!!


  • 15 years ago
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Totally ghastly for you!
An hour or so before the show: having a good steam helps - head over basin of hot water. Towel over head. Maybe a couple of drops of Olbas oil in the water. I find nurofen works, not necessarily the one for colds and flu, just the normal (red liquid capsules are fast acting). "Doctor theatre" helps too, but you'll still feel awful when you get off stage! They say a cold is 3 days coming, 3days staying. 3 days going.
Hugh Coleridge.


  • 15 years ago
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Felix Pring
Actor

I take a daily desert spoonful of Cod Liver Oil and regularly spray the back of my throat with a colloidal silver suspension (whilst inhaling). I eat lots of lightly cooked fresh vegetables and start the day with a fresh grapefruit.
I also avoid public transport if I can, and try not to get overtired.
I've tried the Allimax/Garlic, Echinacea, Propolis, Menthol methods but they don't seem to work with my metabolism.


  • 15 years ago
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Get a steamer from Boots - works wonders! xx


  • 15 years ago
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Mark
Once you have a cold there's nothing much you can do about it. One of the best things to do is avoid getting one in the first place!!!! Whilst at Lamda we were told to wear a scarf as much as possible to keep the neck(glands) warm and to wash hands as much as possible particularly when you've been in public places ie on the tube, the Bus etc. Prevention is the best option. I've followed those rules and in 3 years have yet to catch a bad cold! Hope our advice helps.


  • 15 years ago
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Leila Reid
Actor

There is not much you can do with it really just take some good cold medicine drink plenty of hot drinks and orange juice and be careful with your voice like blake said extra warm ups and don't talk as much during the day.


  • 15 years ago
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I'm a huge believer in drinking plenty of water to flush out a cold.

Steam is good if you're blocked up and a few drops of tea tree or lavender oil in it will help too as they have anti-inflamatory, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Both oils can be used neat on the skin (avoid the eyes) so you can dab a bit on your sinuses if you're really congested.

Hope you feel better soon.


  • 15 years ago
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Well all very interesting and thank you all very much. Today (2 perf's) felt like a climb up Everest and back...drama drama!!

My own aid is what I am about to do now: a very hot shower, a hot whisky, and sweat it out for the night in my digs.

Garlic on toast sounded like the most revolting!!

I spent a small fortune at Holland and Barrat....none of the herbs have worked for me sadly. I normally get a nose bleed or two after a bad cold so the next few performances could be very interesting!!


  • 15 years ago
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Amy Domenica
Actor

Steam steam steam steam and steam, clears you out, lubricates the vocal folds helps with killing bacteria and germs....number one tool for performers......and garlic.....and ginger. Im in a production at the mo and im fighting one despite doing everything in my power to avoid it..... im off now to steam...again


  • 15 years ago
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Well having now successfully been infected by my nearest and dearest I'm now off to wrap myself up in a sliver ginger garlic wrap and place myself gently in a steamer for 30-45 minutes. Serve with soy sauce.


  • 15 years ago
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gargling with an anti-bacterial mouth wash (or salt-water) is also good as it kills the bacteria growing in the back of your mouth/throat.


  • 15 years ago
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Mark, I've always been a fan of a hot toddy.... the medicinal wonders of whisky are endless! ;)

xx Morna


  • 15 years ago
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home made tea of fresh ginger and honey in hot water to drink (can add lemon juice). sleep in a scarf to keep throat and chest permanently warm. (and keep covered up during the day- scarf and preferably polo neck.) if sore throat gargle in warm salt water (don't swallow!) to kill any bacteria.
sorry to hear you're unwell but following the above you should have a speedy recovery
(oh and echinacea if colds are around and/or demanding schedule is great preventative measure- need to take it 2 weeks on 2 weeks off)
very best wishes
tamara (lucas nee gatward)


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