[srick]

I developed my nickel allergy after seven years of playing guitar. Most frets contain 18% nickel, strings may have 7%. A first step would be to practice with medical gloves for several weeks and see if the problem resolves. If it returns when the gloves are removed, it is likely a nickel allergy. If you are curious about nickel allergy, check out the previously referenced agf thread.

Rick

PS - the allergy rarely gets better (sort of like poison ivy sensitivity) . I played several guitars at GC a week and a half ago and am paying the price with sore cracked fingers right now. I was exposed to perhaps a half hoiur of playing on guitars with nickel silver frets: Martins, Gibsons and Taylors.