 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Anon
Date: 2008-03-19 13:43
Anyone ever had swollen lips from playing a lot? I never had (in 29 years of playing) until this week. I've been fighting chapped lips and playing a lot but still using lotion, Burt's Bees lip balm, vaseline, etc. The chapping is getting better but now my lower lip is swollen (but not painful)
I did notice yesterday when I used the Burt's Bees that it stung a little but chalked it up to it being peppermint.
Suggestions? Thanks!
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Author: Anon
Date: 2008-03-19 13:49
Yeah, I look like Angelina Jolie...ok, just the lips not the rest of me...dammit.
Time off is going to be tough with my upcoming performance schedule. Any home remedies?
:-)
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Author: Brenda ★2017
Date: 2008-03-19 13:51
Ice? Swishing with a mild salt solution to heal any small breaks on the inside lip?
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Author: claritoot26
Date: 2008-03-19 13:59
Could you be allergic to Burt's Bees lip balm, or have you used it before with no ill effects? I like Brenda's suggestion. Also, drinking and swishing with water after and in between playing is supposed to help...lactic acid builds up in the lips. Learned this from a clarinetist whose wife plays french horn.
Lori
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2008-03-19 14:12
I've heard of using a baking soda solution for a beat up musicians lip. No idea if it works or not.
asto an allergy, if your top lip isn't swollen, then it most likely isn't an allergic reaction - conversely if it is swollen too, then if probably is an allergic reaction.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: hans
Date: 2008-03-19 14:33
I have an aspirin allergy that makes only my upper lip swell up......
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2008-03-19 15:38
Menthol and peppermint lip balms can make things worse- Blistex is a killer! Use regular chapstik (black label) or something unflavored. Use mouthwash on your lips and apply the lip balm before bed.
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Author: modernicus
Date: 2008-03-19 18:03
I saw an article on the net awhile ago about somebody with an allergy to the plant that clarinet reeds are made of, but this caused more skin irritation for this person than swelling...
Post Edited (2008-03-19 18:06)
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Author: SamKaestner
Date: 2008-03-20 21:59
I'd go for advil and beer. Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory, and I use it to bring my lip swelling down. I don't need to go over the merits of beer.
--Sam
Sam Kaestner
West Point Band Clarinetist
www.samkaestner.com
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Author: Anon
Date: 2008-03-21 14:11
I actually opted for one day off and a few rum and diet cokes!
I think the Burt's Bees made it worse - I'm using the Vaseline Lip Therapy stuff for the chapping and the swelling most likely was from the amount of hours I had to play.
Thanks!
:-)
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Author: dfh
Date: 2008-03-21 18:28
I have a great solution to these problems - as I have had them often this year. I learned this from a great horn player and I've found it really helps.
Arnica Cream/ointment - a homeopathic 'ben gay' of sorts. Can be found at Whole foods/Health food stores. Reduces swelling, sore muscles etc. Great for sore arms/shoulders too. I put this around my ''chops' after playing for a long time, not on my lips or in my mouth. I actually keep it in my gig bag. I apply it before bed if I'm really hurtin'. Also - when applied to sore muscles after a hot shower, or rubbed in and then apply heat (hot water bottles are my fav.) it really really helps sore arms/necks etc.
For the lips I break open a vitamin E pill (just bite it gently) and rub it all over, on the lips, inside where the teeth bite the lip. Very healing, especially when done before bed. Now you'll have swollen shinny lips that even Angelina will be jealous of!
I've applied Ice directly after playing Eb, that really helps too.
D
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Author: LonDear
Date: 2008-03-21 18:41
I prefer Carmex throughout these brutal Cincinnati winters. It doesn't reduce the swelling, but relieves the pain and keeps me playing. It is also safe for cracked lips. If you're on the East side of town, Susan's carries arnica.
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Author: eofung
Date: 2008-03-25 18:46
ahh! this hapenned to me a few weeks ago, right around audition period. i practiced 7 hours that day, then combined with 3 hours of rehearsals, my lip just ballooned at the end of it all. it was an absolute nightmare. i just kept playing, taking doses of tylenol and applying a substantial amount of medicated lip balm.
what really helped as well was a chamomile tea bag, left on the lips for a while. heard this from a friend with lip piercings that this is what piercers recommend to ease the swelling/pain.
i'm going to check out the arnica cream/ointment, though!
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Author: rc_clarinetlady
Date: 2008-03-26 15:29
When this happens to me I do two things, take Advil and eat a popsicle. The popsicle acts like the ice you all are talking about but it tastes much better and isn't quite as harsh as straight ice to a bare lip. Cures it every time.
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