Does anyone else get sore patches underneath their bottom lip from playing flute - kind of itchy/weepy/peely? I don't know if it's directly connected, but playing makes it worse, I'm sure! Anyone have any suggestions? Maybe it's an allergy to my flute...?

I believe some fluters get a 'flute callous' - a patch of slightly harder skin under the bottom lip - but this sounds more like an allergy. Do you have a silver plated or a nickel plated flute?

Nick

It was on the TV once and is officially recognised as Flautists Lip. And I thought it was just me with a gammy mouth! Anyway it happens from time to time. I think it's probably part of the territory.

I just try to moisturise it well when it's sore. If I do it at the first sign of redness it usually stops it getting worse and clears up in a few days. It's also important to clean the lip plate well after every playing so that any dodgy bugs don't lurk there ready to attack next time you pick it up. It sounds like yours is worse than mine but I wouldn't play whilst it's oozing, otherwise you are just going to aggravate it and encourage the bugs.

For the ladies I found that not taking my make up right up to my lip really reduced the frequency of it.

Hope this helps.

Phillipa

Sounds like an allergy to me, too. My cousin used to get it on a plated flute, but as soon as she got one with a solid headjoint, the problem went away. (Sounds like a good excuse for an upgrade!)

I had this exact problem for the first year I played, and it was definitely from playing a nickel-silver headjoint. When I upgraded, the patch disappeared immediately! If you can't afford an upgrade however, I found that cleaning the irritated skin properly and then putting on a protective moisturizer (like for people with sensitive skin) was very helpful.

Hi Emily, it's almost certainly an allergy to the metal in your flute. I had terrible problems with this when I first started playing but realised it was linked to my allergy to any jewellery that isn't silver or gold.

The first flute I had to learn on ( a long time ago ) was a school Jupiter Sapphire which is has a nickel silver headjoint which is one of my worst for allergic reaction. I saved up for a Yamaha 311 which has a solid silver head and have not had any trouble since, even though I still have terrible contact dermatitis where my skin breaks out in exactly the same weepy sores you've described if I use the wrong soap, washing powder, cosmetics etc. Can you trial a flute with a solid silver head to see if it makes a difference?

I wouldn't have thought you'd need solid silver - surely silver plate should be enough to prevent this kind of reaction? Mind you, I'm no dermatologist!

best
nick

I don't know if I'd try this with a flute but I coat watch backs (if metal), studs and metal buttons on jeans with a coat of clear nail varnish to avoid sores where my skin comes into contact with them.

I agree with Nicks theory that silver plate, providing it hasn't worn off should be enough to protect from a nickel allergy. Hate to say it as it seems to go against the grain of what others have said but mine is a solid silver head joint and I still have the problems a bit.

If you are thinking of going with the majority and looking at upgrading, maybe a solid silver lip plate and riser would be adequate if you are looking for a little less expensive way to deal with the issue.

Phillipa

Thanks guys - I actually do have a solid silver headjoint and had a silver-plated before that - so perhaps it isn't the flute! It seems more likely to be a dermatitis-type thing as I have that already, and is probably aggravated by the rubbing (like a blister) of the headjoint. I have always had problems with sensitive skin, so have lots of assorted creams! I'll try one of those before I play (Thanks Alorna!) - it won't discolour the flute will it?

Cheers!

If your worried about discolouring the flute you could try a postage stamp or something similar on the lip plate, might help the aggrivation also!

Could you put a little bit of clingfilm on the lip plate? With a hole to blow through obviously
Good luck.
Bev.

LOL would that be a bit slippy? What about nail varnish or some tape such as micropore. Do they make lip guards for flutes like they do for the mouth pieces of clarinets?? Or could you trial a flute head joint with gold plate lip riser? Looking at the research its a common problem, but one which research has not found an answer too sorry.

Yes - I was also wondering if one could trim a sax/clarinet mouthpiece patch to fit...?

nick