Swelling of lips and tongue...brass allergy?

austexcal · 10-03-2009, 09:57 PM

My 16-year-old plays jazz and wind ensemble and is experiencing -- for the second time this year -- swelling of the lips and tongue. Previously after laying off for a while, the swelling went down and he resumed playing, losing his chops. It is a painful condition. Benadryl seems to have lessened the swelling. He uses a plated mouthpiece, but it's possible there are tiny nicks on it that may expose him to brass.

There seem to be non-brass mouthpieces but they seem to affect the sound negatively.

If you have suggestions, advice on either the cause of the swollen lips/tongue and/or information on non-allergenic mouthpieces, that would be immensely appreciated.

Bach219 · 10-03-2009, 10:22 PM

I have a Kelly mouthpiece and it doesn't seem to affect my playing.

By the way welcome to the forum!!

Good luck!

Brekelefuw · 10-04-2009, 12:30 AM

I think Trent had a similar problem and now plays stainless steel mouthpieces.

I may be wrong though.

Maybe an allergy to the silver or gold plating of the MP.

Vulgano Brother · 10-04-2009, 01:07 AM

Welcome to TM, austexcal!

Players can experience allergies to brass, silver and gold mouthpieces (in this order). A Lexan (plastic) rim can fix those. Sometimes, the use of, uggh, pop or energy drinks, with aluminium (and whatever preservatives are there) tops can cause a nasty swelling when playing as well.

I'd look at the energy drink issue first, then check the mouthpiece.

Good luck!

dhbailey · 10-04-2009, 08:13 AM

How is he oiling the valves? If he's pouring oil into the leadpipe to try to get it around to the valves, he may be inhaling little bits of it, which might cause a reaction. This is not the best way to oil the valves, if that's how he's doing it -- he should take each valve out and apply the oil directly to the piston.

As to the allergy -- some people are very allergic to metals in general. My advice would be to discuss it with a dermatologist before spending tons of money on different equipment, none of which might actually help him.

rowuk · 10-04-2009, 03:13 PM

Tape the mouthpiece to his arm overnight and see if that swells too.

austexcal · 10-05-2009, 07:38 PM

Thanks for the advice, everybody. Just to update you. The doc says it's a nickel allergy. I think we're going to look at stainless steel. so if you know who makes great stainless mouthpieces, the advice would be appreciated!

dhbailey · 10-05-2009, 07:44 PM

If it's a nickel allergy, a silver-plated mouthpiece should be just fine, since the underlying metal is brass, not nickel.

Bachstul · 10-06-2009, 02:51 PM

..but, is there nickel in the silver alloy plating on the mouthpiece....?

Is there a chance of a nickel silver plating on mouthpieces to make the plating harder and tarnish resistant?
Old coins were even 10% nickel, 90% silver, to harden them.

gbdeamer · 10-06-2009, 03:43 PM

Google search for stainless steel trumpet mouthpieces:

Houser stainless steel Mouthpiece

Big Brass - LOUD Mouthpieces

Harrison Wedge Mouthpiece

G W Mouthpieces

10-03-2009, 09:57 PM	#1
austexcal New Friend Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3	Swelling of lips and tongue...brass allergy? My 16-year-old plays jazz and wind ensemble and is experiencing -- for the second time this year -- swelling of the lips and tongue. Previously after laying off for a while, the swelling went down and he resumed playing, losing his chops. It is a painful condition. Benadryl seems to have lessened the swelling. He uses a plated mouthpiece, but it's possible there are tiny nicks on it that may expose him to brass. There seem to be non-brass mouthpieces but they seem to affect the sound negatively. If you have suggestions, advice on either the cause of the swollen lips/tongue and/or information on non-allergenic mouthpieces, that would be immensely appreciated.

10-03-2009, 10:22 PM	#2
Bach219 Mezzo Piano User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: MI Posts: 571	Re: Swelling of lips and tongue...brass allergy? I have a Kelly mouthpiece and it doesn't seem to affect my playing. By the way welcome to the forum!! Good luck! __________________ Raw brass Bach TR300 Vincent Bach 3C Vincent Bach 7C Vincent Bach Corp. 10.5C I didn't want to get that ring around my lips from practicing the trumpet, because I thought the girls wouldn't like me. So I never practiced.- Wynton Marsalis

10-04-2009, 12:30 AM	#3
Brekelefuw Forte User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,738	Re: Swelling of lips and tongue...brass allergy? I think Trent had a similar problem and now plays stainless steel mouthpieces. I may be wrong though. Maybe an allergy to the silver or gold plating of the MP. __________________ Schilke B3L Schilke XA1 Bach 37 180 ML Chinese custom horn Yamaha 6310G Wedge 5B, 5A and 5FLG After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music. ~Aldous Huxley

10-04-2009, 01:07 AM	#4
Vulgano Brother Moderator Fortissimo User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Posts: 4,491	Re: Swelling of lips and tongue...brass allergy? Welcome to TM, austexcal! Players can experience allergies to brass, silver and gold mouthpieces (in this order). A Lexan (plastic) rim can fix those. Sometimes, the use of, uggh, pop or energy drinks, with aluminium (and whatever preservatives are there) tops can cause a nasty swelling when playing as well. I'd look at the energy drink issue first, then check the mouthpiece. Good luck! __________________ "A tool good enough to be so used and not too good" C.S. Lewis That Hideous Strength www.letsbuildhope.org

10-04-2009, 08:13 AM	#5
dhbailey Piano User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 415	Re: Swelling of lips and tongue...brass allergy? How is he oiling the valves? If he's pouring oil into the leadpipe to try to get it around to the valves, he may be inhaling little bits of it, which might cause a reaction. This is not the best way to oil the valves, if that's how he's doing it -- he should take each valve out and apply the oil directly to the piston. As to the allergy -- some people are very allergic to metals in general. My advice would be to discuss it with a dermatologist before spending tons of money on different equipment, none of which might actually help him.

10-04-2009, 03:13 PM	#6
rowuk Moderator Utimate User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 7,997	Re: Swelling of lips and tongue...brass allergy? Tape the mouthpiece to his arm overnight and see if that swells too. __________________ Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

10-05-2009, 07:38 PM	#7
austexcal New Friend Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3	Re: Swelling of lips and tongue...brass allergy? Thanks for the advice, everybody. Just to update you. The doc says it's a nickel allergy. I think we're going to look at stainless steel. so if you know who makes great stainless mouthpieces, the advice would be appreciated!

10-05-2009, 07:44 PM	#8
dhbailey Piano User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 415	Re: Swelling of lips and tongue...brass allergy? If it's a nickel allergy, a silver-plated mouthpiece should be just fine, since the underlying metal is brass, not nickel.

10-06-2009, 02:51 PM	#9
Bachstul Mezzo Forte User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 744	Re: Swelling of lips and tongue...brass allergy? ..but, is there nickel in the silver alloy plating on the mouthpiece....? Is there a chance of a nickel silver plating on mouthpieces to make the plating harder and tarnish resistant? Old coins were even 10% nickel, 90% silver, to harden them.

10-06-2009, 03:43 PM	#10
gbdeamer Mezzo Piano User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 686	Re: Swelling of lips and tongue...brass allergy? Google search for stainless steel trumpet mouthpieces: Houser stainless steel Mouthpiece Big Brass - LOUD Mouthpieces Harrison Wedge Mouthpiece G W Mouthpieces

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