MacCrimmons curse is an affliction that affected the piper clan MacCrimmon in sixteenth-century Scotland. It is said the clan was cursed by a widow whose son was taken away by the press gangs. It is also noted that one of the MacCrimmons women had several fingers removed for giving away piping secrets to a lover from the MacPherson clan. Wherever the curse came from, it had an impact on the MacCrimson men, whose fingers started to bend in towards the center of their hands. This curse prevented the MacCrimmons men from playing the bagpipes and took away their ability to be the official pipers for the Macloeds of Dunvegan.
The MacCrimmons curse is actually Dupuytren’s Contracture, also known as Vikings Disease. This disease is a condition that starts as a small lump in the palm that then starts to affect the fingers, causing them to contract and bend towards the hand’s center. The condition dates back to Nordic descent people, notably the Vikings, hence the name Vikings Disease. The Vikings settled in large numbers in Scotland, hence the birth of the MacCrimmons curse.
What actually causes Vikings disease is unknown; it is believed to be related to a chemical imbalance in the body. What we do know is that the disease is hereditary and is passed down through the generations. The condition is more likely to affect men in their fifties and older. People who suffer from alcoholism and are heavy smokers are more likely to suffer from Dupuytrens Contracture. The condition is not painful in most cases but will impact the ability to perform daily tasks, like cooking and writing.
Dupuytren’s Contracture needs to be treated as it will not correct itself. A doctor’s couple options that a doctor will prescribe like steroid injections and operation in many cases. However, it is recommended to use the Dupuytren’s wand, tape, and jelly to treat the condition as it is proven to ease the symptoms and allow regular use of the hands.