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SpitKey · 05-08-2008, 05:51 PM

Is it possible to develop a silver allergy late in life? I’m a “comeback” player, pushing 70 real hard, and lately my chops are turning bright red after playing for just a few minutes. Now I realize they will turn red for a short while due to the blood being drawn to them while playing. In my case this redness, and some puffiness, will last for at least an hour—sometimes more—before returning to a “normal” color and size. My chops also feel like they’re burning up. They also dry out when playing even though I constantly sip water while practicing…it’s a good thing the bathroom is right around the corner from the room I practice in.

Initially I thought this might be caused by one of the many medications I take, so yesterday I went over all of them with my doctor. He picked out one that might be the culprit, but since I’ve been on that one for 2½ years, and this is a fairly recent problem, I don’t think it’s very likely.

What are the symptoms of a silver allergy anyway? I’m assuming there is a test available that positively determines its existence. I know one obvious solution would be to pick up a Kelly mouthpiece, but I don’t see one listed on their web sight for a flugelhorn. I really don’t want to go to the expense of having a custom mouthpiece made if the problem is not a silver allergy.

Anyone have a thought or two about this?

05-08-2008, 05:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
SpitKey New Friend Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 12	Silver allergy??? Is it possible to develop a silver allergy late in life? I’m a “comeback” player, pushing 70 real hard, and lately my chops are turning bright red after playing for just a few minutes. Now I realize they will turn red for a short while due to the blood being drawn to them while playing. In my case this redness, and some puffiness, will last for at least an hour—sometimes more—before returning to a “normal” color and size. My chops also feel like they’re burning up. They also dry out when playing even though I constantly sip water while practicing…it’s a good thing the bathroom is right around the corner from the room I practice in. Initially I thought this might be caused by one of the many medications I take, so yesterday I went over all of them with my doctor. He picked out one that might be the culprit, but since I’ve been on that one for 2½ years, and this is a fairly recent problem, I don’t think it’s very likely. What are the symptoms of a silver allergy anyway? I’m assuming there is a test available that positively determines its existence. I know one obvious solution would be to pick up a Kelly mouthpiece, but I don’t see one listed on their web sight for a flugelhorn. I really don’t want to go to the expense of having a custom mouthpiece made if the problem is not a silver allergy. Anyone have a thought or two about this?