Nickel Allergy

[bb4rr]

I recently retired after 30 years in the business world. In order to somewhat keep my sanity I purchased a Miraphone 186 and joined a few local bands. I am having a great time getting back into my college-days playing form. BUT ...

I noticed a rash developing in the creases of my hands, heavier on the left than right. It itches and blisters. I sought medical attention and the doctor said I developed a condition he called Nickel Allergy. I am treating it with an ointment he prescribed; the rash is slowly subsiding.

In order to minimize the rash the doctor also said I should avoid touching the tuba. Right! Thus far I have been using gloves as a preventative measure.

Has anyone out there experienced such a condition and if so, how did you overcome the problem? Any suggestions?

[Mike-ICR]

I've never experienced it but some friends of mine had. The best solution I've seen involved those fingerless gloves you see bikers wear. I understand they are more comfortable than full cotton or latex gloves.

[scottw]

Does your 186 have a nickel leadpipe? Or, is it lacquered like the rest of the horn? Typically, on a 186, the lead pipe may or not be nickel silver, the bell ring, and some of the ferrules are all nickel. Everything else is lacquered brass. If you are careful not to rest your left hand on the top of the lead pipe, you should notice no problem. If you pull your 1st slide, then you will need to either wrap the offending nickel pipe or, as you are now doing, wear gloves.The brass should not bother you if it is indeed a nickel allergy.
You don't happen to have a raw brass horn, or one with a lot of lacquer missing, do you? I would guess a brass allergy would be a lot more common than a nickel one.

[pierso20]

READ WHAT I HAVE TO SAY!



YES!........it is very well that you have a nickel allergy. Unfortunately....I think you're lucky...you'll hear why in a second.

When I grew up, I used to not be able to wear gold plated jewelry. I would get rashes. I never thought about it until my freshmen year in college.

My freshmen year, I acquired a new St. Pete 202N (NICKEL) horn..ALL nickel. Well, anywhere my skin was in contact, I developed rashes. When I took time away from the horn, they rashes subsided. So, I quickly figured out I had a nickel allergy. Of course, playing an all nickel horn didn't help...haha

For a while I wore wristbands. This helped a lot because only small portions of my arms touched the horn. My hands never did break out though.

I now play a lacquered horn...no problems because of very little nickel.

Really, you have only one option...find ways to avoid the nickel. If this means using gloves or whatever, then do it. A lot of players play with a leather sheet placed over portions of the horn to prevent the skin acids from destroying the lacquer. You could probably get something similar adopted for anywhere your skin touches.

Hope this helps..

It was a crappy problem..but not unavoidable.

*edit*

I would say though...there's no need for a prescription cream or anything. The rash will go away once the nickel junk is off of your skin and you give yourself time to heal. Of course...maybe the creams help for itching......gha.....this is reminding me of the unpleasantries of my freshmen year...

By the way, my freshmen year, I had a mouthpiece with nickel on it too....needless to say..ITCHY upper lip and dry dry lips.......I learned though...

[Dan Schultz]

It's interesting that the rash is worse on your left hand than on your right hand. I'm thinking that you hold your horn by placing your left hand over the upper bow guard. Normally, Mirafones are lacquered over the nickel-silver trim but it may be worn off your horn. You didn't mention if the horn is raw brass or lacquered. If it's raw or the lacquer is missing, you might benefit from spraying lacquer on the areas where you contact the horn most. There are some good clear lacquers available at hardware chains but your best bet might be to have your local repairman spritz on some Nikolas lacquer that is formulated for music instruments.

[rocksanddirt]

regarding the rash itself....after you play (even with gloves), wash your hands/wrists with soap and water quite vigourously. Use some sort of lotion/cream to keep the skin soft and healthy (we use this fancy expensive stuff called 'Skin Food' at home (the wife's hands get very dry/chapped in winter).

[Dan Schultz]

.....Use some sort of lotion/cream to keep the skin soft and healthy (we use this fancy expensive stuff called 'Skin Food' at home (the wife's hands get very dry/chapped in winter).

The very best (and possibly the least expensive) stuff I use to keep my hands in good shape is called 'bag balm' or 'udder creme'.... products that farmers use on the udders of dairy cows. Good stuff! Available at Rural King, TSC, and other farm-type stores.

As a side-note.... I spend eight to ten hours a day handling solders, solvents, brass, nickel, mild acids, and cleaning chemicals. I'm not prone to allergic reactions to anything that I know of but I ALWAYS wear surgical gloves when in the shop.... mainly to keep my hands clean.

[Rick Denney]

It used to be quite popular to put a vinyl or leather guard around the bell where the right forearm rests to prevent ruining the lacquer, or (in my case) ending up with a green arm. Since my Miraphone is raw brass, I also wrapped a piece of leather over the upper bow guard.



Note that the thumb ring and valve paddles are "German silver", which is really brass with a nigh nickel content to make it look silver. No lacquer will last on those items. A piece of split vinyl tubing might solve the thumb-ring problem. Gluing plastic guitar picks on the finger paddles might solve that problem. A short piece of bicycle handlebar tape or even electrical tape wrapped around the first slide (if you touch it) might do the trick there. I'd do any of these things before resorting to wearing gloves.

I rarely have allergic reactions on the palms of my hands or fingers, but frequently do on my wrists and forearms, where the skin seems to be more sensitive. That may be why your left arm is seeing more problem than the right.

Rick "growing an unintended 4-acre crop of poison ivy" Denney