Itchy line up my side that follows my suit seam?

[Ampex]

I'll second DocVikingo's comments. It would appear to me that this might be a case of (latex?) reaction to the glue in the seams. You could try covering the seams with ducktape but over time I think you will have other sticky issues. Might have to wear that rashguard.

I can wear latex gloves, a drytop with latex seals and undergarments w/ normal elastic without incident. I doubt this is a latex allergy.

Ampex

 

[Hoosier]

The duck tape is for tracing the source, not remedy.

A short vinegar bath is also very helpful to kill the germ... Actually, it is the traditional rinsing method.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Ampex & ReneeC,

I did not mean to imply that Ampex is suffering from a latex allergy.

The adhesives used to help reinforce wetsuit seams during commercial production are not latex, but rather other compounds. Moreover, chemicals called accelerators are used to cause the adhesives to dry faster and allergy to these is well known.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi hoosier,

I'm not sure where a vinegar bath is the "traditional rinsing method" for sanitizing wetsuits, but certainly not any of the many dive venues I've visited. Do you have a source for this assertion?

Thanks,

DocVikingo

 

[Hoosier]

Hi hoosier,

I'm not sure where a vinegar bath is the "traditional rinsing method" for sanitizing wetsuits, but certainly not any of the many dive venues I've visited. Do you have a source for this assertion?

Thanks,

DocVikingo

This is the common practice has been done in the military and commercial diving. You can get many posts about the vinegar method on our boards, too... Of course, the vinegar should be diluted with water

 

[Ampex]

I didn't think about the accelerant/solvents used in cements because I figured they should have outgassed from the solid during the curing process.

As it just so happens, my last job involved exposure to unhealthy concentrations of MEK, PVC glue, rubber cement and other nasty compounds (I no longerwork there). Perhaps I *have* developed a sensitivity to certain VOCs.

This begs the question, "how long does it really take for neoprene adhesives to fully cure and be free of VOCs"? Will the adhesive ever be free of VOCs?

Ampex

 

[Ampex]

I didn't think about the accelerant/solvents used in cements because I figured they should have outgassed from the solid during the curing process.

As it just so happens, my last job involved exposure to unhealthy concentrations of MEK, PVC glue, rubber cement and other nasty compounds (I no longerwork there). Perhaps I *have* developed a sensitivity to certain VOCs.

This begs the question, "how long does it really take for neoprene adhesives to fully cure and be free of VOCs"? Will the adhesive ever be free of VOCs?

Ampex

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Ampex.

Very interesting. Yes, you certainly could have developed a sensitivity.

I don't know how long it takes for neoprene adhesive accelerants/solvents to fully dissipate, but I can tell you that it is not immediately after manufacture.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[Ampex]

Just came back from my Doc. It took him about 3 seconds to determine, "Contact dermatitis. He mentioned that it could be caused by a number of things, including physical irritation.

Aquaflite has been great and is going to send me a small sample patch of the neoprene my suit's made out of with a dab of adhesive in the middle. I'll use it as a test patch by taping it to my hip for a day to see if I have a similar reaction.

I didn't think about it until now, but can one suffer irritation as I have simply from the seam rubbing and holding sweat in the same place for 10 hours?

In any case, I'm going to thoroughly wash the suit and give it another shot. If I have the same problem and/or the "patch test" causes a rash, I'll think about getting the seams taped.

Ampex

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Ampex,

Wow, that is great service from Aquaflite. Good for them. Just make sure that the dollop of adhesive contains all of the same chemicals as are used in assemblage of the suit.

As for "contact dematitis," that is what I was suggesting you had, although it's a rather non-specific term simply meaning an acute or chronic skin inflammation resulting from contact with an irritating substance or allergen.

Please do keep us posted.

Regards,

DocVikingo