Cut lip

[quinterbourne]

Where on your lip does your cut lay? If it lays outside of the mouthpiece rim, it shouldn't affect sound (but it will sure hurt like crazy). I sure hope it isn't on a section that will come in contact with the rim, or that it will need to buzz.

You could always try repositioning your embouchure to lay on a different area, thus avoiding the cut. Keep in mind the more you play on the cut (buzzing or rim contact) the longer it will take to heal. If it is in contact with the rim, you should be able to move it off-center enough to get away from it... but if that is not better, then just avoid excess pressure.

As far as healing the sucker, there are three alternatives:
a) allowing it to heal naturally
b) hydrate/moisturize it
c) dry it out, dehydration
or d) a combination of the above three

Natural healing: lots of water but, generally, keep lip dry.

Hydration: I use vitamin E ointment which is completely harmless and is a great moisturizer. Does a body good. A lot of people use vaseline, but I find it medicinal qualities non-existent.

Dehydration: I was told to do this when I had a blister. I think it made things worse (but it's hard to tell without having a control subject). I'm talking about applying rubbing alchohol to the lip. I would be very cautious using this alternative, and certainly will not guarantee it (my medical knowledge is limited).

My advice: Live life as normally, but avoid playing ON the cut as much as possible (this may mean avoiding playing altogether). I'm sure most musical directors will understand if you need to miss a couple rehearsals for your lip to heal, they want you to be in top condition for the performances. Get a substitute player for you, if necessary. If possible, reposition the mouthpiece to avoid the cut. Put some vitamin E ointment on your lips overnight. Be patient.

Exposure to as much OXYGEN as possible is a very good idea.

Another option: Go see a doctor. Seriously, if your upcoming playing is that important then go and find out what your options are.

Other thoughts: Be careful to make sure it doesn't become infected or something. Also, think about using those "liquid bandages" on it to see if that helps at all. If you use liquid bandages, let us know what the experience is like.

Good luck!

[quinterbourne]

as to the location question, this sucker is dead center almost on my upper lip. It seems to have sealed itself up a bit, but Im gonna keep the vaseline on it and avoid playing till I have to. I had this new chapstick, "chopsaver". Supposedly it had herbs that help healing in it, but It dissapeared, so I cant test it. Just got the sucker too, and it was pricey as chapsticks go.

You could always try some vertical adjustment of the mouthpiece placement to take some pressure off the upper lip. Try it out - move the mouthpiece up or down and see if it might help ease the pain.

[BopEuph]

I train bareknuckle fighting regularly, and get some nasty cuts on my lip periodically. I noticed most cuts heal enough overnight, and the ones that don't seem to bug me in every other department (especially eating acidic food) except playing. The buzzing might make it feel weird or enflamed, but it doesn't really bug me too much. Then again, I am one who believes the lips are the least important factor in playing my horn, so it also may be more psychological than the former.

Nick

[tubatooter1940]

This has happened to me several times. I cannot change lip position on my mouthpiece. If the cut is in the buzzing area, it's gonna hurt-but you can still go if you have to as long as you are not bleeding.
Too bad you lost your chopsaver ointment. That might have been just the stuff. Ames (Amy) on this forum turned me on to bactroban ointment but that is a perscription medication. A and D diaper rash ointment is available over-the-counter and can fight bacteria and keep the wound slightly moist but could smell better.
Don't rehearse until the day before the gig.
Go full out when you do play.
Good luck and happy healing,
tubatooter1940
www.johnreno.com/

[Ryan_Beucke]

I would caution against using either liquid bandage or super glue, since they are mostly the same thing. This is a good idea with finger cuts, but I don't think it would be very good on your lips. For one thing, they won't be as flexible. Also, it bonds skin on contact. You could easily end up gluing your lips together....

[Kevin Miller]

Neosporin will speed up the healing process. I've used it for similar occasions and it works nicely.

[Tabor]

You could try taking some extra vitimin E and fish oil supplements. (ingesting them)

One cream that seems to work very well for healing rashes, sunburns, abrasions and cuts is Desitin diaper rash ointment. It works best if the skin is dried and left exposed to air at intervals. It can be left on overnight if you cover the area with a small bandage.

My dear old mum told me about Desitin, and I recommended it for someone I know who fell off of her bike face first and had facial road rash. She healed up rather quickly and with almost no visible scarring. Fixing her teeth required a bit more than diaper rash ointment.

Good luck and happy healing

[TubaRay]

Glad to hear things worked out well for you, K-town. Of course, now the audience will never get to see the bloodbath you could have demonstrated.