READER RESCUE
Reader Pearl looks like she has a neoprene allergy
“A limestonebased neoprene could prevent the reaction”
QRecently, I wore a wetsuit that left me breathless and I developed a body rash. Have you ever heard of similar issues?
Pearl Bayford
AIt sounds like an allergic reaction to something in the water or the wetsuit. Assuming that no-one else in your group suffered similar, it’s safe to suggest that your reaction was to something in your wetsuit. While I’ll make some suggestions, I’d suggest that you go and see your doctor.
NEOPRENE ISSUES
Wetsuits are broadly made up of two main parts – the neoprene rubber (the outer bit) and a fabric jersey (the material on the inside). Chances are, if you’re allergic to something, it’s the neoprene. I rarely, if ever, get asked about neoprene allergies – I think I’ve talked to two athletes before about it – but clearly it’s a fact of life for some athletes.
What is the deal with neoprene allergies? Here’s what we know. If you do have an allergy to neoprene, it’s simply contact dermatitis and not unique to neoprene. There are literally thousands of different environmental, domestic and industrial elements that can give you contact dermatitis. Your pets, for example, are far more likely to give you contact dermatitis than neoprene. But allergies to neoprene can happen.
So we know that neoprene — the technical name of which is polychloroprene — can sometimes cause contact dermatitis. But what exactly are the symptoms of this common condition? “Contact dermatitis is a condition in which the skin becomes red, sore or inflamed after direct contact with a substance,” explains the New York Times Health Guide. However, in the same article, the scientists were quick to point out that “neoprene hypersensitivity is rare”.
THIURAM TO BLAME
According to a report entitled ‘Neoprene Orthopaedic Supports: An Under recognized Cause of Allergic Contact Dermatitis’, the specific culprit is Thiuram. Fortunately, there have been advances in rubber technologies with neoprene-like rubbers that do not contain Thiuram. My understanding is that a nonpetroleum based rubber may work.
In this instance, a limestonebased neoprene that Dare 2 Tri (dare2tri.com) use could be of use and not cause such a reaction. I’m sure that there are other swim/tri brands available doing similar things, though the main options I know of are surf-based. If you contact any brand and explain to them your issues, they may be able to send you a sample of the material to see how and whether your skin reacts to it.