Klarinet Archive - Posting 000112.txt from 1997/09

From: Roger Shilcock <roger.shilcock@-----.uk>
Subj: Re: SV: Ligature allergy?
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 1997 04:04:34 -0400

Thank you for the confirmation. I suspect it isn't a true allergy to
nickel, but an idiosyncratic reaction to a toxic metal. For me. it varies
with the kind of plating - really *shiny* nickel doesn't seem to affect
me, though cupro-nickel does.
I've never had trouble with the plating on my A clarinet keys.
Roger Shilcock

On Tue, 2 Sep 1997, Bert Amten wrote:

> Date: Tue, 2 Sep 1997 20:13:15 +0200
> From: Bert Amten <major.bam@-----.se>
> Reply-To: klarinet@-----.us
> To: klarinet <klarinet@-----.us>
> Subject: SV: Ligature allergy?
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> I am in no way an expert on allergy, but I have worked within the
> pharmaceutical industry for many years especially with allergy diagnosis=
=2E
> It is in fact well known that nickel is a cause of many contact allergies=
=2E
> 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.
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> best regards
> Bert Amten
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> -----Originalmeddelande-----
> Fr@-----.ac=
=2Euk>
> Till: klarinet@-----.us>
> Datum: den 1 september 1997 17:01
> =C4mne: Re: Ligature allergy?
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> >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
> >>
> >
> >
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