Dermatologic problems of musicians

Rimmer, Steve; Spielvogel, Richard L.

doi:10.1016/0190-9622(90)70093-w

Cited by 50 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Similar irritant skin disorders such as "cellist's chest" and "cellist's knee" have also been described in cello players [7,63]. Even a "cello scrotum" has been described in a brief letter [64].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 84%

“…Again, results of extensive patch testing were negative. Both reports suggest that "clarinetist's cheilitis" may be caused by a combination of factors, including friction, local pressure, shearing forces, and occlusion [7]. It has to be stressed, however, that atopic diathesis is a commonly overlooked cause of cheilitis [28].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Emotional upset may lead to hyperhidrosis so severe it interferes with ability to operate musical instruments [5,7]. Hoppmann et al [99] described a female pianist who switched from the piano to the flute because of severe localized palmar hyperhidrosis.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Generally, large epidemiological studies among performing artists have failed to look at skin disorders [4]. However in a small survey of 24 symphony orchestra members, mechanically caused skin conditions were the most frequent findings that were directly associated with the instrumental performance [7]. Nethercott and Holness confirmed these results in their survey on 41 orchestra players [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Contact dermatitis and other skin conditions in instrumental musicians

2004

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BackgroundThe skin is important in the positioning and playing of a musical instrument. During practicing and performing there is a permanent more or less intense contact between the instrument and the musician's skin. Apart from aggravation of predisposed skin diseases (e.g., atopic eczema or psoriasis) due to music-making, specific dermatologic conditions may develop that are directly caused by playing a musical instrument.MethodsTo perform a systematic review on instrument-related skin diseases in musicians we searched the PubMed database without time limits. Furthermore we studied the online bibliography "Occupational diseases of performing artist. A performing arts medicine bibliography. October, 2003" and checked references of all selected articles for relevant papers.ResultsThe most prevalent skin disorders of instrumental musicians, in particular string instrumentalists (e.g., violinists, cellists, guitarists), woodwind players (e.g., flautists, clarinetists), and brass instrumentalists (e.g., trumpeters), include a variety of allergic contact sensitizations (e.g., colophony, nickel, and exotic woods) and irritant (physical-chemical noxae) skin conditions whose clinical presentation and localization are usually specific for the instrument used (e.g., "fiddler's neck", "cellist's chest", "guitar nipple", "flautist's chin"). Apart from common callosities and "occupational marks" (e.g., "Garrod's pads") more or less severe skin injuries may occur in musical instrumentalists, in particular acute and chronic wounds including their complications. Skin infections such as herpes labialis seem to be a more common skin problem in woodwind and brass instrumentalists.ConclusionsSkin conditions may be a significant problem not only in professional instrumentalists, but also in musicians of all ages and ability. Although not life threatening they may lead to impaired performance and occupational hazard. Unfortunately, epidemiological investigations have exclusively been performed on orchestra musicians, though the prevalence of instrument-related skin conditions in other musician groups (e.g., jazz and rock musicians) is also of interest. The practicing clinician should be aware of the special dermatologic problems unique to the musical instrumentalist. Moreover awareness among musicians needs to be raised, as proper technique and conditioning may help to prevent affection of performance and occupational impairment.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 84%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Contact dermatitis and other skin conditions in instrumental musicians

2004

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“…Indeed, the skin is subjected to stress during playing a musical instrument, because there is a permanent, more or less intense, instrument-related contact between the instrument and the musician's skin. 9 String instrumentalists (eg, violinists, cellists, guitarists), woodwind players (eg, flutists, clarinetists), and brass instrumentalists (eg, trumpeters) seem to be particularly prone to skin diseases. The most prevalent cutaneous disorder is irritant contact dermatitis (ICD), because of physicalchemical noxae; allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is also reported (nickel, colophony, and exotic woods being the main sensitizers).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%