 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarinetlover57
Date: 2011-10-25 15:08
I started playing the clarinet in 6th grade. At that time I had no idea that I was allergic to metal. When I would play, my lips would get all red and itchy. I don't know what is causing this reaction because the ligature doesn't touch me. I checked to see what reeds are made of, and it's giant cane.
If anyone knows what this reaction is or anything that might be helpful, please reply.
33833 se brooks rd
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-10-25 16:22
Potentially you could be allergic to any part of the reed, mouthpiece, or ligature. I would suggest testing a few things to narrow it down. First try holding your mouthpiece in playing position with no reed or ligature installed. If you have a reaction then you know the mouthpiece is the culprit and you could try getting a mouthpiece made from a different material as a remedy.
If you determine that it isn't the mouthpiece causing the reaction then try mounting your normal reed to it using a string ligature made from a piece of shoelace or similar cord ( instructions here: http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/Uploads/strnglig.html ). If you still have a reaction then the reed is at fault and you may want to try a different brand of cane reed (some reeds may have pesticide residue while others may not) or perhaps a synthetic reed.
If you don't have a reaction when using the string ligature and your normal reed then it is your normal ligature that is at fault. You can switch to either a fabric, leather, or string ligature for your normal playing and this should remedy the issue.
Post Edited (2011-10-25 16:24)
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2011-10-25 19:06
Most ligatures are plated with nickel, which is a frequent cause of allergic reactions. My father was a dermatologist and used the following test:
Place a nickel coin on the inside of your forearm and put a Band-Aid over it. Two days later, take it off, wait for a couple of minutes and then look for a red circle around the rim of where the coin was. If it's there, you have the nickel allergy. (Ignore any redness elsewhere -- for example, underneath where the Band-Aid was -- which indicates an allergy to the adhesive, which most people have.)
If you have an allergy, switch to a non-metallic ligature, such as the Rovner Dark or Rovner Light. http://www.rovnerproducts.com/ligaturesnew.htm
If your allergy is to cane, switch to a Legere reed. Forestone is also possible, but it contains bamboo.
Ken Shaw
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2011-10-25 19:53
there are certainly ways around this. Ken's right, plenty of good non-metal ligatures out there. And legere and forestone both get very good responses for playability (I'm using legere reeds exclusively right now and loving being able to play and not fuss over reeds).
Just find out what you're allergic too and then you'll know what alternatives to ask for.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Elkwoman46
Date: 2011-10-25 20:13
What is your mouthpiece made of?
I definitely believe that some people have allergies toward plastics or similar substances. At a job I had many years ago, for some time I worked in an office that had a phone of a different plastic and the side of my face broke out all where the phone touched my face....it just got worse and worse. It was really weird because I never would have guessed that a plastic could bother me.
Perhaps you need to change to a different mouthpiece? Borrow one of a different brand or substance and see if that is the problem???
Another possibility is that you might be cleaning/washing it with a product that is bothering you?
Or possibly your cleaning cloth has something on it that is putting some residue on your mouthpiece that is bothering you?
Also, you did not indicate your age or gender, so if you are older, you could be experiencing a physical sensitivity dilemma???
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2011-10-26 03:18
Are you using Rico reeds? You may be allergic to the chemicals in the cane. Soak the reeds for about 15 minutes and then carefully wash the reeds with soap and water. Let them dry for a day. See if this helps with the lips.
You can read past posts about Rico reeds.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
Post Edited (2011-10-26 19:42)
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-10-26 05:40
Bob Bernardo wrote:
> Are you using Rico reeds? You may be allergic to the chemicals
> in the cane.
That was my first thought as well but she posted in her other thread that she was using Vandoren reeds.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2011-10-26 21:33
Try one of the synthetic reeds........
Bob Draznik
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Author: Danoyella
Date: 2011-10-30 04:54
I had the same issue for almost ten years before I realized that I was allergic to my reeds. Since I began playing clarinet I've gone through every reed from Rico, Mitchell Laurie, to Vandoren. I finally went to a doctor to see if there was anything I could do. After what felt like hours of allergy tests, we figured out what I was allergic to. Whatever they treat the cane with along with the pesticides used when growing were the main causes for my allergies. Fortunately I found Gonzales reeds, which aren't treated with pesticides or any other weird coating. Plastic reeds never did it for me, so I'm grateful I found this solution. Good luck!
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Author: W&MClarinetist
Date: 2011-10-31 00:30
I occasionally have a problem with my lips swelling, turning red, and getting really chapped for weeks at a time, like the problem you've encountered. I initially thought it was a problem that only occurred in the wintertime, but when it flared up really badly this summer, I knew something else was up. My dermatologist suggested it was something dealing with the reeds I was using, but I thought that couldn't be the case because I'd been using the same reeds for years. But now seeing on this thread that people have had issues with Rico reeds because of the pesticides they use, it all makes sense! I was using Rico reeds for a long time (and the majority of that time was when my symptoms would flare up) and have recently switched mouthpieces and by default, been experimenting with different reed brands and having no irritation.
My best recommendation would be to talk to a dermatologist and get a prescription for some really strong lip treatment. Vaseline works pretty well but getting something stronger like Desonide is so much better. I use my prescription cream every night as a preventative measure (although now that I know it might have been the pesticides from Rico all along, I may not need to be so vigilant about keeping up with my lip cream...).
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