Dear Bruce--
I had a run-in with urushi last spring and found that washing my hands and lips
with Fels Naptha soap after playing prevented the rash from breaking out. I
washed the flute itself a couple times too (only the blowing end, not the whole
bore), but that didn't seem to be necessary as long as I washed the places on me
that the flute touched. (Fels Naptha is primarily a laundry soap, and a bit
harsh, but as long as you wash it off completely after using it, it doesn't seem
to cause too much irritation.)
Before I discovered what was happening, I developed a full-fledged case of urushi
poisoning on my lower lip (in a tell-tale half circle pattern). I got relief
from that using a product called Zanfel. It stopped the rash from developing
further, and in four days or so, I could play again.
Best of luck with this irritating problem.
Tom Hare
Bruce Jones wrote:
> I am extremely sensitive to urushi. I have had to wait up to a
> year before I can play a new instrument without my chin feeling
> burned.
>
> I know that if I wash the instrument right before I play it, and
> wash my hands and face immediately afterwards, I don't break out if
> I limit my playing to about 3 to 5 minutes.
>
> I recently got two shakuhachi back from Japan, where they were
> repaired and urushi was used in the repair. I understand that the
> oils in the sumac are what cause the reaction, so I'm wondering if
> I can accelerate the curing of these flutes by washing the repaired
> bore and the bindings with something to remove the surface oil.
>
> If so, what could I wash the shak with to be most effective? I use
> dish detergent if I'm going to play right away, but know from
> experience that the effect only lasts a short while.
>
> Any similar experiences or possible solutions (pun intended)?
>
> thanks,
>
> bj
>
> -
> ____________________________________________________
>
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