Table 1

Collection of instrument-related allergic, irritant, and traumatic skin conditions that may occur in musicians

Instrument

Allergic noxae

Irritant/traumatic noxae

violin, viola

allergic contact dermatitis to colophony, nickel, propolis, chromium, exotic woods para-phenylenediamine

"fiddler's neck", Garrod's pads, finger dermatitis and callosities

cello, (contra) bass

allergic contact dermatitis to nickel, para-phenylenediamine colophony, propolis

"cellist's chest", "cellist's knee" "cello scrotum"(?), finger dermatitis and callosities

woodwind instruments (flute, clarinet saxophone etc.)

allergic contact dermatitis to nickel, exotic woods, cane reeds

"flautist's chin", "clarinetist's cheilitis" etc., lip callosities

brass instruments (trumpet, horn etc.)

allergic contact dermatitis to nickel, chromium

cheilitis, lip callosities, facial soft tissue changes (Satchmo's syndrome), lip atrophy and ischaemia

harmonica

allergic contact dermatitis to nickel, chromium

cheilitis

guitar, bass guitar sitar etc.

allergic contact dermatitis to nickel, chromium, para-phenylenediamine

"guitar nipple", finger dermatitis and callosities, paronychia

harp

allergic contact dermatitis to chromium

finger dermatitis and callosities, paronychia, onycholysis

piano, keyboards

finger dermatitis, paronychia, onycholysis

drums, percussion

callosities ("drummer's digit), finger dermatitis, skin trauma (blisters, ulceration etc.)

Gambichler et al. BMC Dermatology 2004 4:3   doi:10.1186/1471-5945-4-3