Neoprene allergy solution?

[ptalwar]

Hello, I'm a dive instructor and underwater photographer who has developed a neoprene allergy (go figure). I get a crazy rash when I wear neoprene. I recently got patch tested and it looks like I'm allergic to "Mixed Dialkyl Thioureas" or "diethylthiourea" which is used as an accelerator in neoprene.

I can wear a lycra suit under and I still have the same problem. If I wear tons of layers under the wetsuit it does seems to help, but is really annoying.

I have previously found the Thermocline suit made by Fourth Element for neoprene allergy sufferers. It is two pieces, neutrally buoyant and equivalent to 2.5mm of warmth. I has really helped me. I also find that if I wear it under a 7mm it solves the problem.

The only thing is, I am really looking for a one piece wetsuit that I can just pull down in between dives when I am doing 3 dives a day and going for lunch inbetween. It would be nice to just have one layer and not have wear layers upon layers upon layers that I have to pull up every single day before every single dive.

Has anyone heard of anybody being helped by Pinnacle's merino wool-lined wetsuits? I wonder if the layer is thick enough to eliminate contact of the neorpene with the skin.

Much thanks!

 

[muddiver]

Go dry! Dry suits are made of many different materials like nylon or vulcanized rubber, and you can layer under it to any thickness. I would go with some thing like a Viking Extream or maybe a DUI trilam shell. Obviously stay away from crushed neoprene dry suits.

By the time you get done pricing out a custom wet suit to fix your problem you will probably be at the price of a good dry suit. Contact Bob3 here on ScubaBoard and he can get you into a dry suit for under retail.

Also, dry suits are much better for California diving because of the water temps around here.

 

[ColinB]

I would suggest looking at the Whites Fusion drysuit, since it adapts nicely to warm weather diving as well as cold, and the self-donning zipper location makes it easy to pull down between dives.
Good luck!

 

[fisheater]

That's not an allergy. It's a curse!!

Condolences and good luck.

 

[David Wilson]

I've read a forum message somewhere recommending Body Glove "Eco" wetsuits to people with neoprene allergies. One stockist's website reads:

BODYGLOVE Eco 7mm Ladies Dive Steamer Wetsuit BGD06 , 100% eco-flex throughout, the purest form of non toxic stretch material on the planet 100% non-petroleum bio-stretch rubber, 100% environmentally friendly, thermofiber chest and lumbar, fluid seal seams, organic water based inks, recycled ykk zipper. CONSTRUCTION: environmentally conscious construction, vaporlock seams, anatomically cut. FEATURES: left arm exterior zip key pocket, interior floodgate, superflex stretch kneepads. detail colour may vary.
Bodyglove Eco 7mm Ladies Dive Steamer Wetsuit Bgd06 - 6 7mm Ladies - 6mm 7mm Wetsuits - by Bodyglove

Body Glove's "Eco" suits are showcased on its website at
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