How do I know if I'm damaging my voice?

Hey Camille! I wanted to ask about how I'd know if I'm hurting my voice, & if so, how to stop it/correct it. 

I purchased the program on Oct. 6, & then after about 2 weeks, I felt like I should stop. My throat would become really dry afterwards. (Not because of a lack of water, I'm ALWAYS drinking water  especially since I started singing) The last time I did it, I was just getting started doing the beginners vocal warm up MP3, but it felt sooo drrryy, & like I had a lump in my throat. I knew that was wrong of course so I stopped since.

I also think I got sick a little bit after, so that contributed to my throat feeling strange, but the issue I'm having is that it still feels dry on occasion. It still feels like there's a lump on occasion. I look in the mirror when I sing, I don't strain my neck. No veins or tightness happens. I try to think to sing from my lower body not my throat. I even take my shirt off in the mirror to see if I have proper breath control & posture, and that seems alright too. I've been a bit irresponsible, like when a song comes on on the radio I still sing along. And I know that just makes it so much worse, especially because I haven't warmed up then, and if I'm going to get good at this I have to be more responsible. 

But honestly, I don't know if the dryness or lump means vocal damage? I'm terrified of that, but my voice isn't hoarse at all, I don't really feel any pain, I haven't lost any register. So many telltale signs aren't there. So how do I know?

Secondly, other than just resting, (which as I mentioned, I need to be more responsible about) How can I help it heal? K've heard a really high pitched, but soft, stacatto or sustained hum can help. I've tried to nor talk much, but y'know I still have a life so it's challenging. Is there anything specifically that's good forcmy vocal chords?

I know I wrote a lot, but I want to be very concious and considerate of my vocal chords. I understand that real damage can take forever to recover from. I started this program so excited to make forward progress, & now I'm terrified I'm making backward progress. Please help!!

I totally understand, Connor! And I'm glad you're being careful. The only way to truly know if you have vocal damage is to get scoped by an ENT or otolaryngologist. But it's doubtful that they'd order that test without hoarseness, pain or loss of range. If this persists, it's certainly bringing up with your doctor to get their advice! 

I'm not sure what would be causing dryness, other than the fact that singing requires much more mouth breathing than other activities! Could allergies or other environmental factors play a role? I find that when I have a fan running, my voice dries out and is very difficult to rehydrate. Singers are hydration fanatics, so it's not unreasonable to try a humidifier or steamer and add warm tea with honey or unmedicated lozenges to your routine. 

With the sensation of a lump in your throat, it could be tongue tension (which is difficult to see and wouldn't jump out like jaw or neck tension would). See below for a few lessons and resources on that and vocal health in general! 

Article on preventing injury (and common injuries)

Live lesson on strain, pain and vocal health

Short lesson on tongue tension

Thank you so much camille!! I will take all this into consideration you've been such a big help & thank you for the extra resources. I actually do have allergies and idk why i didn't think of that at all, but truly thank you!! ill let you know if i have any other questions

It's my pleasure, Connor! That's a great question for your doctor - how to deal with allergies and not dry out your voice. Lots of singers swear by saline sinus rinses (and the top otolaryngologist in LA recommends rinsing daily!) But if you need medication to get a handle on any postnasal drip or irritation, let your doctor know you're a singer and would prefer a medication that won't dry you out too much.