Drysuit neck seal burn

[90to90]

This also happens more often as the seal ages. Not sure if the seal becomes slightly abrasive with age or whether is releases irritants (note the stickiness that old latex gets).

Bioseal is one option but it is usually a sign that the seal is getting toward the end of its life.

My silicone neck seal has a few years on it, but the latex seal is pretty dang new. Will keep that in mind tho!

 

[90to90]

I like neoprene. Way more comfortable and much more durable. They do leak a bit sometimes but hey, it's a drysuit (not a DRY SUIT).

Ugh but they are so annoying to don lol

 

[lexvil]

Ugh but they are so annoying to don lol

Hardly, I find it easier to use than silicone, warm and non irritating are the no other work required answer to your problem. Other questions since this is happening with both silicone and latex, are you using anything in suit maintenance like a soap or other disinfectant? Are you an overzealous and fastidious neck shaver?

 

[Scuba-74]

It's latex allergy. I had it pretty severe, people at work started asking questions

Short term solution that worked for me: 1) put Vaseline on your neck before each dive; 2) Consider cutting 2-3mm off of your seal

Long term solution: install neoprene seals

 

[90to90]

Not that it helps right now but next time you have to replace your neck seal try and neoprene one. I had this same thing but once I switch to neoprene never had any issues. I also find neoprene to be waaaay more comfortable. But I am one of those people that really likes neoprene. They are a love hate relationship.

Hardly, I find it easier to use than silicone, warm and non irritating are the no other work required answer to your problem. Other questions since this is happening with both silicone and latex, are you using anything in suit maintenance like a soap or other disinfectant? Are you an overzealous and fastidious neck shaver?

I usually just use fresh water to clean my suit, will sometimes add steramine tablets to the water to disinfect. Being a woman, I have never shaved my neck lol

 

[lexvil]

I usually just use fresh water to clean my suit, will sometimes add steramine tablets to the water to disinfect. Being a woman, I have never shaved my neck lol

Ok, missed the woman thing sorry, the thing that makes me ask about rinsing is the occasional reaction with a silicone seal too, this points me away from latex allergy as a lone cause but?

 

[Germie]

Neoprene neckseals don't fit everybody. My head is too big, or my neck too small. So for me it only leaks.

I only have this in salt water, so it is no latex allergy. I don't use silicone neckseals and won't use them (I hate the ring, so I glue latex seals myself when needed to replace).

 

[lizardland]

I've always thought the culprit was friction on sensitive skin. Anyone who's had a long tattoo session probably knows the point where the pain from having latex-clad fingers dragged across your skin for hours starts hurting a hell of a lot more than the needle does.

Getting a slightly bigger neck seal and one with a wider sealing surface (rather than the rubber band effect a lot of seals have) is a lot better for me. When I have to trim a seal for a better fit that's when it gets worse so makes me think it's the compression forces being concentrated into a narrower area that is doing it. Who knows, I'm just guessing. Plenty of lube, both on the skin and seal, helps for a while but that only lasts so long. I've heard some suggest thicker barrier cream is better than lube on your skin but I've no idea how that affects the latex.

I only shave once a month or so and that's probably the best cure but that's not an option for you. Maybe someone can develop a hairy neck seal.

 

[jackder]

Keeping you seals clean will help. There can be a build of of body oils, sunscreen and possible things from the water you dive in being fresh or salt. A lot of times this rubbing can be cause by a latex allergy. As some suggest, switching to a material that is more tolerant to you skin will help. Not every drysuit will have a silicone seal option which is usually the best way to avoid the latex allergy part. The other factors to consider are the materials of the seal. Latin is stiff and when new ofter feel tight and do not have much stretch. The latex seals will soften with time then making them loose on peoples necks. Silicone is softer and has less tensile strength so a lot of people wear them tighter than normal. Then it comes down to sizing for the neck. a lot of people will start with a latex seal being tight because they will get softer over time, so in theory the seal lasts longer for them. When a seal is too tight it can cause uncomfortable pinching and create a sensitive area on your neck which then can work into burning feeling over time. On the flip side if you wear the neck seal on the looser side, you create a situation where the seal is sliding on your skin when you turn your head. The neck seal should not move when turning your head. This would result in the same kind of skin irritation. One other thing of note is I see a lot of people wearing their neck seals too high. When wearing it high on the neck there is more neck movement or travel. Most neck seals should be worn mid neck to slight lower allowing at least a half to one inch of pure skin contact. (The marks from the photo are pretty high)(Also depends on each individual)

My main point with the long post. Check for allergies, clean seals with a properly cut and fitting seal and wearing the seal in the proper location.
~Jack

 

[steinbil]

The bioseal is no solution as it makes your neck thicker, so the neckseal is not fitting right anymore. So for me no solution.

Neoprene neckseals don't fit everybody. My head is too big, or my neck too small. So for me it only leaks.

You just have to add the two together to get the best combination:

neoprene neck seal that's slightly too big (so it fits over your head)
+
apollo bio seal so the neoprene neck seal...well..seals

It's a match made in heaven. Warm. Comfortable. Dry. No skin irritation. The slight downside of having to remember to bring it, and learn how to don it is not even worth thinking about.

PS.
If anybody has trouble donning the bio seal, just dunk it in fresh water. When it's wet it doesn't stick to itself, which makes donning a lot easier.