Bowed-instrument players

Skin problems are common among musicians. In recent studies, more than 20% of symphony-orchestra members (Rimmer and Spielvogel 1990 Nethercott and Holness 1991) and bowed-instrument players (Grandolfo et al. 1996) presented with mild occupational dermatoses. In most cases, they are caused by physically irritant contact of the instrument to the skin. However, allergic-contact reactions are, in some cases, responsible for morphologically similar dermatoses. 

It is important to understand the special significance of skin to musicians. Even a minor fissure in a wind-instrument player s lip or in a bowed-instrument player s left digits leads to total inability to work. Tactile sense and the optimal amount of friction on the fingers and lips are of the utmost importance for musicians. Therefore, the use of protective gloves is generally out of the question, and the use of emollient hand cream or lip pomade is in some cases possible... 

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