mathman

Yea, that is probably my next step. I trying first that which insurance will cover then will try other ideas. I also plan to buy some Apple pectin ala Zen. I know it isn't exactly what he was talking about but eczema is listed as a type of auto-immune disease so hopefully flushing the system may help.

Thanks, but i've been twice to a dermatoligist already and it hasn't helped. I tried to talk about possible reactions to strings or something but he dismissed it. I hope to have a better conversation with the new one.

Well, thought i'd update. The problems remains. It Is very cyclical. The skin heals then gets hard, then cracks and peels. Very frustrating. I've completely stopped playing to see if that was the problem and i feel that the nickel strings are not the problem which is good. but my fingers shred the skin when i play for more than a minute or two. I still believe it is a contact issue but I am thinking it is related to the macbook pros. This all seemed to start when my schools received over a hundred new macbook pros and one 15 inch was mine. (about the same time I switched to nickel strings.) I set up every one of them over the course of a couple months and then used my new one all day and night. Over the last few weeks i started using a keyboard and mouse rather than using the trackpad and an iPad at night rather than computer. I am seeing improvement. I am going to a new dermatologist tuesday hoping for some better results. Wish me luck.

Hoping for a speedy recovery!

Thanks, but I'm not predominately woman.... I wonder if nickel allergies will become more common with men since more men are wearing jewelry now? I appreciate you bringing this up in the thread very much. Thank you!

Happy days and cautious optimism. My fingertips are healing and looking and feeling better. Some skin is still missing but it is no longer dry and the peeling has almost completely stopped.

It's an original kahler that came with the 84 proto II. Not really sure what it is made of. Stock tuners also. Since it has a locking nut. I use the tuners on the kahler. Don't think they are nickel but I'm not sure. Anyone know?

I think I need some of Steve Stevens' boots.... getting deep in here. After one night of playing steel coated strings and then playing again this morning. I have cautious optimism. They feel better today. We'll see.

I bought a set of 9-42's for the proto and 10-46's for the xt standard in the coated steel strings this evening. Putting them on later. We'll see. I am really thinking this could be the issue. My left hand has issues on all 5 fingers. I do wrap my thumb around for the low e string. My right hand has issues on thumb, and first two fingers. One small part of the fourth finger and nothing on the pinky. I pick very close to the strings holding the pick with thumb and a combination of the first two fingers. My right hand thumb and two fingers come in contact with the strings alot. I switched to nickel strings on bass about a year ago and nickel on my proto about 6 months ago. The problem has gotten worse during this time. I'm hoping this is the problem. Hopefully, I'll know soon.

First worry is the wear and tear on the fingers!

Some stainless are nickel plated. I found these GHS Super Steels Stainless Steel Roundwound Strings - 009-042 from a guitarist/bass player blog posting about problems with his fingers. http://www.juststrings.com/ghs-st-xl.html

The nickel allergy is something I've had to read about. Getting new strings and a set up on the proto next week. Going with steel strings. I don't change strings very often but I do think I went with nickel strings last time.

I knew I would get some useful knowledge. I have cotton gloves and have tried various lotions/things at night. The gluten makes me think. Supposedly, this IS allergy based.

I've heard of lanolin but it seems to be hard to find. Guess it's time for Amazon! tm.

Over the last few years I've decided to really learn how song solos and years of trying to create my own style. Stupid I was. I asked ideas of good solos to start with here a few years ago and got many great ideas. So, finally over the last few months I really started to feel I am making real progress. I've actually learned some solos from my "I can never learn those songs" list like Killer Queen and a few other queen solos. And many other songs I grew up with that I thought was out of my league. I'm even learning the solo for Adventures in A Yorkshire landscape. And I'm getting it! Not perfect buy any means but DAMN it is fun! So there's the achievement part. The agony part is I am dealing with Eczema now. My finger tips dry up and crack and the skin starts peeling off. Dermatologist gave me a steroid cream that helps but it comes and goes but always comes back. Did two weeks with oral cleared it up completely but within a week it was right back. So, just wanted to say. Damn this sucks. :angry:

I can'tspeak for those kids but unfortunately in florida, due to budget cuts, many of the music programs are being cut or scaled back. And state law requires kids who score low on the fcat test have to take extra reading classes rather than elective classes such as art, music or pe.

Cool!

Kickin' with the Blackstar Jamming' with the MGZ Gotta make my mind up Which Guitar can I take? sorry..

I would want to see the green standard but for the kids.... Blackstar all the way. Speaking of which check your pm.

Thanks for the write up. I would go see the show if I could just to see Brian May again.

Lambert sounds ok, never heard him before. Not a fan of his look, but it doesn't really matter to me. But hearing that Brian May sound live again is worth whoever might sing with them.

http://www.ebay.com/...=item3a7651ecb0 Cool, but that isn't a Proto II. But it is one I would like. Match for my cruise bass. Damn being broke.

I didn't... Help?

I missed the ad so I'd love to see pictures. I just absolutely love my Proto II. Has so much versatility.