Skin conditions in instrumental musicians: a self-reported survey.
BACKGROUND
Instrumental musicians are a risk group for a variety of skin conditions.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency and risk factors of instrument-related skin disorders in musicians.


METHODS
We mailed an 11-item survey to 19 German universities of music and performing arts.


RESULTS
412 musicians returned the completed questionnaire, of whom 21.6% (89/412) had an instrument-related skin disorder including callosities (52/89; 58.4%), contact dermatitis (CD; 17/89; 19.1%), fiddler's neck (17/89; 19.1%), and erosion (3/89; 3.4%). Allergic CD (13/17; 76.5%) was most frequently reported in violinists and violists. Of 116 violinists and violists, 17 (14.7%) suffered from fiddler's neck. String and plucking instrumentalists most frequently reported callosities (61/89; 68.5%) and skin problems (32/37; 86.5%). Instrument-related skin disorders were significantly associated with high practice frequencies (P = 0.022) and a professional status (P = 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Callosities and CD were the most commonly reported skin changes in the respondents. Both callosities and skin problems such as CD and fiddler's neck are significantly associated with high practice frequencies and professional status. Our data indicate that among those returning the questionnaires, string players and plucking instrumentalists seem to be at highest risk of developing skin problems when compared with players of other musical instruments.
Gambichler
Thilo
T
Department of Dermatology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Gudrunstr. 56, 44791 Bochum, Germany. t.gambichler@klinikum-bochum.de
Uzun
Akin
A
Boms
Stefanie
S
Altmeyer
Peter
P
Altenmüller
Eckart
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D002145:Callosities / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009146:Music; D009333:Neck / Q000473:pathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
D000485:Allergens