Lip problems

[Wu299]

Hello,

for about several days already my lips condition seems to be getting worse and worse, so I would like to ask you for some advice on this.

Right now, my lips are slightly swollen and slightly chapped, but altogether they feel ill and different. They´ve been more or less like this for a few days, sometimes better, more often worse.

I have a week off now, so I wanted to practice as my competition is going on now, though next round is in one month so there is still some time; after a few days of playing they felt naturally tired, so I didnt expect any problems.
On Sunday, I could play without any problems, lips are tired, but its still OK.
Monday, problems appear, lips feel not natural, I slow down, play long notes in comfortable range in piano, mostly.
Tuesday, problems are getting worse even after one day of not playing hard. After buzzing with mouthpiece for a while (and seeing piano doesnt work at all, just no sound) I give up and have a day off.
Wednesday, played a few notes, lip slurs, just like usually. I got tired very quickly it seems, and soon my upper range disappeared. Later today, my lips felt as I described above so I stopped playing again.

Since I have a free week, Im almost never leaving home, so the cold weather is not the issue.
My muscles felt sore for few days, my friend (student of medicine) told me its the pressure change, could this be the cause?
Im slightly suspicious about allergy to silver, though its very unlikely, because Im using silver mouthpieces for 5 years and never had serious problems, except since last summer, when I started to practice more. Could it be weak allergy that would "turn on" only when I have the silver on my lips for longer time, or is that idea completely ridiculous?
Another, probably ridiculous idea is, could it be a side effect of long time stress (that was stronger lately)?

While it isnt THAT serious (yet), I would like to ask you for help or advice, if you can provide it. It doesnt feel right for me to have something bad going on and not dealing with it.

Thank you,
Petr Horák

[mark38655]

Based on my reading of your post, my guess is that you just over did it with high and/or loud notes. I don't know how long it will take for your chops to recover if this is in fact the cause. It may take a full week of taking it really easy on your chops. Its not a good time obviously with auditions coming up, but you may do damage that will make the audition seem unimportant to you in the long run, if you try to force yourself through this.

I'd say if there is pain when you play, there is a problem that needs time to heal.

[Doug Elliott]

There are many possibilities. Yes, silver allegy can appear at any time, and that sounds likely. It doesn't necessarily present as a rash, sometimes it's general swelling. You could start by painting your mouthpiece rim with nail polish. so you're not in contact with silver at all. If that's the source, you'd be less likely to react to gold or stainless. Lexan is the only material that is totally non-allergenic, so you might try a Kelly, or one of my Lexan rims.

Also try to rule out general heath issues, since you said you're also tired. Stress is a very possible contributing factor.