>Stan,
You might want to try washing the bore of the flute with soap and
water several times. You can use Castille/Dr. Bronner's soap or
maybe even use Technu soap. It won't hurt the flute to get wet. It
will turn dark, but that will quickly fade as it dries. Don't oil
the flute as that will keep in the water. After several washings
you can apply a very thin coat of oil to the bore. You might also
try not playing the flute for several months. The urushi is dry,
just not cured. That can take up to one year.
Peter
>I am sure this problem has been discused before but for some reason
>I was not able to find the right text in the archives - so apologies
>in advance for bringing up an old issue.
>
>Urushi.
>
>I bought this wonderful new shaukuahchi. The shakuhachi is both new
>to me and new to the world in general.
>
>Been having a wonderful time playing it - but sadly I have woken up
>to find my hands all red, puffy and itchy. Yes, the diagnosis of my
>problem is fairly obvious.
>
>I know how to treat the reaction on my skin: various creams, some
>homeopathic, some not. Wash my hands after use, and so on.
>
>What I do not know:
>
>Should I just keep on using the flute? Will I eventually develop an
>immunity? Or will these rashes stay around until the urushi dries
>out?
>
>How long will it take for the urushi to dry to the point that it
>will no longer provoke this reaction?
>
>Will oiling the flute, or some other non-damaging treatment,
>minimize the impact of the un-dried urushi?
>
>Does anyone have a new shakuhachi urushi allergy reaction anecdote
>they would be kind enough to share with me?
>
>In a pharmacy I found something called Technu - some special soap
>that washes away poison ivy oils. I plan to wash my hands with this
>each day after practicing. But maybe someone has stumbled upon
>something more potent than cortisone cream, homeopathic cream, jewel
>weed or mugwort.
>(and less dramatic than hormone pills or shots.)
>
>The saddest part of the story: there is no way I am not playing
>this new shakuhachi. It seems like I will have to make peace with a
>constant poison ivy rash on my hands and face for the next six
>months or so... What a strange passion.
>
>Thanks in advance for any advice you can throw my way!
>
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>
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-- Peter Ross http://www.cloudhandsmusic.com APDO 542-4100 Grecia, Costa Rica Central America 011 (506) 494-5170 _____________________________________________List subscription information is at: http://communication.ucsd.edu/shaku/listsub.html
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