All clarinet player I have an important question for you...?

Question

Okay so I have been a clarinet player for about 2 years. And every once in a while I get these odd this irritation bumps on the side of my mouth. Does it happen to any of you? And how do i get it to go away? Thank you. :)

Answer 1

I think your playing the clarinet too much so i guess you were blowing too much or too well.. Rest your mouth for a week or a few days.Hope you feel better!!

Answer 2

Haha... I am going to feel really silly answering this one! :)

If you're talking about at the SIDES of your mouth, like near the corners... it could be cold sores.  I don't know of any clarinet player that gets irritation there BECAUSE of the clarinet.

However, if you're talking about the edge of your bottom lip- yeah, irritation is common.  Here's what I do:

Sometimes you can get really tiny blackheads because the pores clog from the reed, etc.  I put a really hot washcloth on it for 10 minutes, use a dab of clay mask, and when it's dry I scrub like crazy.  If that doesn't work, I use the Biore blackhead strips (made for the nose) and tear those things out!  I know it's bad for your skin, but it hurts to play otherwise.

Also, if I've been playing a lot, sometimes I get a little bit of a red and bumpy rash.  This is caused by excessive moisture and friction (confirmed by a dermatologist).  I know this is strange (and I'm almost embarrassed to say this), but when you go to bed, wash your face really well and then use a tiny bit of diaper rash creame like Desitin.  This is EXACTLY what diaper creame is made to fight: excessive moisture and friction!  LOL  Your skin should look and feel normal in the morning!

Things you can do to prevent this irritation include:

~using a facial scrub with exfoliants (the little beads) and pay special attention to your mouth and chin- I like Clean & Clear Oxygenating Scrub or the St. Ives Apricot Scrub

~use a mud mask once a week- again, I like the Clean & Clear, although Neutrogena has a nice one too

~use a good lip balm after playing, and not one with fragrence- I like Carmex or Chapstick with Aloe (the blue one)... stay away from the cutsie ones like LipSmackers

~use a good oil-free lotion to keep it from getting "raw"- I like the "Aloe" from Crabtree & Evelynn, although there are plenty of others that are good without costing as much as this one!

Also, replace your reeds more often, as they build up bacteria and collect oils from your face, then redeposit the residue back onto your face the next time you play.  *Make sure to wipe chapstick off before you play so that it doesn't clog the reeds*.  Also, clean your reed cases with hydrogen perioxide once every 6 months, as bacteria can hide in there and grow in your reeds (ewwww).  Replace your cases once every year or two for the same reason.

Sorry if any of this was gross- but you asked!  LOL

Good Luck!  :)