Neoprene Allergy Its has been discussed many times, but Id like to centralize the information on one thread with some consolidated / informative replies, not just a bunch of I suffer too posts, or maybe it is something else posts. Please reply only to the subject of neoprene allergy diving options. Thanks a lot!
Neoprene polychloroprene is an extremely versatile synthetic rubber.
(not neoprem or neopreme or neopren or neopreen neoprean)
My wife and I recently completed our open water certification. Unfortunately she appears to have a severe allergy to neoprene. It looks like a "contact dermatitis" type of reaction She can dive in it fine, but later in the evening her whole body will begin to break out in a rash. This occurs in a swimming pool, river, and even in the Fresh water springs in Northern Florida. She gets the rash over the whole body if she wears the whole wet suit or if she only wears boots and a neoprene goggle retainer. It is just worse wherever she has any material in contact with her skin. It is almost like the neoprene (or chemical accelerants) get in the water and then get held to the skin by other materials like the BCD.
She can swim in a regular pool or lake with no gear and no problems. Toss in scuba gear and the rash shows up. Many other divers diving beside her have zero problems. She is a fair skinned redhead, so this allergy is not a surprise. We even suspected that it might be a form of heat rash, but we are pretty sure it is an allergy. By the way she uses latex gloves all the time with no problems. She has had problems in the past with neoprene knee brace and neoprene gloves. However, simply carrying around dry neoprene (such as my gps in its soft case) doesnt seem to bother her.
Benadryl and steroids and hydrocortisone put her back to normal after about a week, but that is no way to enjoy the sport. It is also dangerous to keep re-exposing her to allergies. She cant dive when on the Benadryl because it makes her drowsy.
Several people have suggested getting patch tested. However, our local allergy clinic can only do test for latex and black rubber. Does anyone know where a patch test can be ordered? They said that if we could find one, they could administer it.
Also, what are her options for dive gear? The lyrca dive skin and socks did not help at all. I have heard of some people using creams on their skin before diving. This seems like it would be a big hassle. I have also heard some divers mention the wetsuits with the gold colored liners or a trilaminate suit. Any luck here? The only other option I have heard is dry suits or no suit if it is warm enough.
Any other information not previously elaborated in the following links would also be appreciated:
http://www.scuba-doc.com/otherderms.htm
http://www.scubaboard.com/t13365.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/t47587.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/t47116.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/t39279.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/t24111.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/t15916.html
Neoprene polychloroprene is an extremely versatile synthetic rubber.
(not neoprem or neopreme or neopren or neopreen neoprean)
My wife and I recently completed our open water certification. Unfortunately she appears to have a severe allergy to neoprene. It looks like a "contact dermatitis" type of reaction She can dive in it fine, but later in the evening her whole body will begin to break out in a rash. This occurs in a swimming pool, river, and even in the Fresh water springs in Northern Florida. She gets the rash over the whole body if she wears the whole wet suit or if she only wears boots and a neoprene goggle retainer. It is just worse wherever she has any material in contact with her skin. It is almost like the neoprene (or chemical accelerants) get in the water and then get held to the skin by other materials like the BCD.
She can swim in a regular pool or lake with no gear and no problems. Toss in scuba gear and the rash shows up. Many other divers diving beside her have zero problems. She is a fair skinned redhead, so this allergy is not a surprise. We even suspected that it might be a form of heat rash, but we are pretty sure it is an allergy. By the way she uses latex gloves all the time with no problems. She has had problems in the past with neoprene knee brace and neoprene gloves. However, simply carrying around dry neoprene (such as my gps in its soft case) doesnt seem to bother her.
Benadryl and steroids and hydrocortisone put her back to normal after about a week, but that is no way to enjoy the sport. It is also dangerous to keep re-exposing her to allergies. She cant dive when on the Benadryl because it makes her drowsy.
Several people have suggested getting patch tested. However, our local allergy clinic can only do test for latex and black rubber. Does anyone know where a patch test can be ordered? They said that if we could find one, they could administer it.
Also, what are her options for dive gear? The lyrca dive skin and socks did not help at all. I have heard of some people using creams on their skin before diving. This seems like it would be a big hassle. I have also heard some divers mention the wetsuits with the gold colored liners or a trilaminate suit. Any luck here? The only other option I have heard is dry suits or no suit if it is warm enough.
Any other information not previously elaborated in the following links would also be appreciated:
http://www.scuba-doc.com/otherderms.htm
http://www.scubaboard.com/t13365.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/t47587.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/t47116.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/t39279.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/t24111.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/t15916.html