Itchy line up my side that follows my suit seam?

[Ampex]

I haven't received the test patch from Aquaflite but I did wear the suit for a few hours the other day. Something very odd happened.

Though the suit left seam line on my skin that was visible after doffing, no rash along that area occured. However, the faint remnants of the old rash line from several weeks ago started to itch again.

Now I'm thoroughly confused.

Ampex

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Ampex,

One hypothesis is that the irritant within the seams is dissipating with time, as might be expected given the chemical nature of commonly used neoprene adhesives/accelerants/solvents. The remaining amount is still enough to cause a reaction, but not as marked as the initial one. If this is the case, it would not be surprising that the faint remnants of the original rash of several weeks ago also would be affected. After all, these areas of skin have been sensitized and are vulnerable.

Thanks for the continuing follow up.

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual and should not be construed as such.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[gert7to3]

The seam sewn as well as glued. Are the trhreads exposed and touching your skin??

Does the glue over the seam form a different surface than the rest of the interior of your wetsuit?

Do your legs press against the hull of your kayak, especially over the seam?

I'm thinking there is combination of mechanical and chemical sensitivity. You may want to ask the manufacturer about the cement/sealer they use and obtain a copy of the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) report for the material. This is a publicly available specification sheet which can alert you to possible hazards from contact with industrial materials. Even if they only name the material you could probably find it by googling [msds], then searching for the material.

 

[fisherdvm]

I don't know if I had replied to this post, but DocViking might be correct with the diagnosis of contact allergic dermatitis to adhesive.

There is 2 or 3 ways to diagnose this

1. A true test patch test, cost $150 to 300, will dianose many of the common adhesive borne antigens.

2. The poor man's patch test, take a small scraping of the adhesive from the seams (without cutting the thread that hold the suit together), and tape it to your skin. Hopefully you are not allergic to the adhesives in the tape!!! Leaving it on for 4 to 7 days. If you react to the suit adhesive - then you got the answer.

3. The north american panel of allergen patch test - it is more complete than number 1, but more costly.

 

[fisherdvm]

Oops, I didn't read through the thread. If they sent you the neoprene with the patch, I would tape it on the inner part of the forearm, where the skin is thinner. You might want to leave it on for at least 6 or 7 days. If you react, it would be as little as a slightly raised red patch, or as much as blisters. You might want to take a knife to rough up the surface of the adhesive to allow the less cured adhesive inside to rub against your skin.

My preferred area for self patch test is on the soft inner skin of the elbow, however, it is more appropriate for creams and liquids, and less functional for a neoprene patch.