Just wanted to know if anyone has developed this dermatology condition which affects mostly woodwind players. It is caused by the moisture build up produced when playing a whistle of flute. The chin and surround area get extrememly red. There isn’t any other discomfort associated with the condition…just a very bright chin. Reason I am asking is that I just came of of 30 days of antibiotics to cure the condition. Derm Doc told me the condition can return. Then he went and told me that it would clear up if I stopped playing, I told him just to have the antibiotics on stand by…I would most likely be back…I am now and until either my chin falls off or my lungs give out going to continue playing the whistle! 
Keith,
See another doctor. Never heard of this, particularly for a whistle player. Never seen it on clarinet, sax, oboe or bassoon either. And I don’t see why an antibiotic would be the treatment, in any case, except for a nonmusic related problem.
Other reasons for a red chin might be circulatory problems, or nerve pinching, perhaps from tension involved in use of the instrument. Then there’s allergic response to materials (such as cocuswood, nickel, etc. in which I’d expect an antihistamine to be more appropriate for at least temporary relief). A 3rd possibility would be a fungal infection, local or systemic, which would be best treated with an anti-fungal.
Kevin Krell
I think I’d get a second opinion also. I played clarinet an hour or so a day for 9 years, and never had that problem. And a clarinet reed is much more moist than a wooden fipple on a whistle. I’d be more concerned about an allergy or something.
Caroline
I had a fungal scrape performed which was negative…but I had tried anti fungals with little to no resolve prior to having it done.. I too beleiev that 30 days of antibiotics is a little much. With your suggestion of a nerve or circulatory problem…I am wondering if this is just natural for me…but prior to playing whitsle I played trombone & baritone for alomost 13 years and never had this problem. I wonder if they make varicose hose for the chin? LOL.
I do believe its directly caused by my hours of whistle playing a day and its something I will just need to get use too. 
Well, since the whistle shouldn’t be in contact with the chin (but in the mouth), I wonder what the mechanism is for the problem. Shouldn’t be wet there either. Have you tried a different whistle (wood vs. metal) to try to determine an allergic reaction?
Kevin Krell
kevin, yep I tried my whole collection which ranges from PVC, metal, and wood…still had the problem. It may just be a vascular reaction I have when playing. I forgot to tell you all that in addition to the antibiotics & steroid cream…I was also told to use soap with extra Zinc. kevin when it first appeared I did something of a patch test on my self to see if I was allergic to the whistle materials, but it was negative.
Grow a beard,
or if yer a woman…
get a chin wig
Well, who knew.
I just did a literature search for “flautist’s chin,” and I actually came up with a ton of references. According to what I’ve read, it consists of “acneiform leisons and hyperpigmentation.” Acneiform lesions would be the redness (and possibly little splotches), the hyperpigmentation explains the test for fungal disease. While one article mentioned the condensation/wetness thing, it went on to explain that it’s not the wetness that’s thought to cause the problem, but rather that slipperiness of the skin causes the (flautist) to push the (flute) harder against the chin. It’s like a dermatologic repetitive-motion injury. This would seem to be plausible if it happens with everything (whistles of all ilks, flutes, etc.).
And not everyone gets it, obviously; seems like few people get it.
Cure? Heh! Not a lot of help there. Do you feel like you push the instrument hard against your lip/chin?
Stuart
I have under-advice by an professional player started to play the whistle at an angle which does appear to help a lot. I do appreciate the information Stuart, I also did some research on it but with little to no success. It isn’t as noticable in the winter months because I do grow a beard, but no way am I wearing one in this 90+ degree heat.
I would definitely get another opinion - taking anti-biotics for 30 days is not advisable, especially for an irritated chin without other symptoms.
I think allergy is a good possibility. Try a different flute, try keeping a dry washcloth handy to dab your chin and wipe the flute (don’t wipe your chin, just dab, so as not to cause abrasion to the already sensitive skin)
You can end up with serious problems from over use of anti-biotics, including yeast infection and allergy to the medication.