Klarinet Archive - Posting 000081.txt from 1997/09

From: "Bert Amten" <major.bam@-----.se>
Subj: SV: Ligature allergy?
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 1997 14:39:05 -0400

I am in no way an expert on allergy, but I have worked within the
pharmaceutical industry for many years especially with allergy diagnosis.
It is in fact well known that nickel is a cause of many contact allergies.
It is equally well known that perspiration increases the release of nicke=
l
when nickel is contained in different alloys. The same thing goes for
chrome. In Sweden it is therefore recommended by the health-authorities n=
ot
to put in earrings etc before the age of 18 in order to avoid developing
this type of allergy. It is also possible in this country to go to the
pharmacy and by a test set including artificial sweat/perspiraton to chec=
k
wether these compunds leak out. My young daughter borrowed an A-clarinet
that was older and not silverplated. In one months time all the skin on h=
er
both hands had disappeared starting with the finger tips. When checking t=
he
instrument leaked terribly. Although there are tests for nickel and chrom=
e
allergies they are uncertain both as provocational tests and laboratory
tests. If you suspect that you are allergic to these compunds the best wa=
y
is to try to use elimination that is to take away what you believe causes
the allergy and see if you find a difference. Although it is not proven t=
hat
my daughter has a chrome/nickel allergy (test results showed no allergy),
there will never be another not silverplated clarinet in our house.

best regards
Bert Amten

-----Originalmeddelande-----
Fr@-----.ac=
.uk>
Till: klarinet@-----.us>
Datum: den 1 september 1997 17:01
=C4mne: Re: Ligature allergy?

>The most likely culprit is nickel. It certainly reacts with perspiration
>in some way to produce a toxic effect on the skin; I've been bothered by
>this during our recent heat wave, coins and, bizarrely enough, my watch
>winder being the sources.
>Roger Shilcock
>
>
>
>
>
>On Mon, 1 Sep 1997 deerich@-----.net wrote:
>
>> Date: Mon, 01 Sep 1997 07:55:13 -0500
>> From: deerich@-----.net
>> To: klarinet@-----.us
>> Subject: Re: Ligature allergy?
>>
>> Frank Garcia wrote:
>> >
>> > Good morning,
>> >
>> > Recently I had a student that developed an allergic reaction to her
Bonade
>> > ligature. Her lips got swollen up, but she did not tell me any other
>> > symptoms. I put her on a Rovner and that seemed to clear things up.
>> >
>> > I have been practicing a lot lately (5+ hrs a day) and recently star=
ted
>> > having similar problems (inflamed lips, a "numb" feeling inside my
mouth).
>> > My question is, does anyone know what Bonade ligs are made of? And,
what
>> > component could be causing me this problem? I don't want to use a
Rovner
>> > (I've tried them, not my cup of tea). Any suggestions for other
ligatures
>> > without the materials that are causing the irritation? TIA
>> >
>> > Frank Garcia
>>
>> I do not know what metal the ligature is made of, but I can tell you
>> that some people do react to metals when they are in contact with the
>> skin. My mother could not wear ANY metal jewelry unless it was plated
>> with silver or gold. So I would suggest that you obtain a ligature th=
at
>> is plated with one of these or get one that is not metal. Since you
>> mention that it only occurred recently, it might also work to take
>> longer breaks in your practice sessions or to make each session shorte=
r.
>>
>> Dee Hays
>> Canton, SD
>> deerich@-----.net
>>
>
>