Neoprene neck seal rash

[TheWetRookie]

Hi All, I think that I may be allergic to my new neoprene neck seal. Not sure yet though. I switched from latex to neoprene last month and since then I have noticed after a day of diving, parts of the skin around my neck are irritated and itchy. I have about 12 dives on it now.

The area affected is the bottom or lower part of the neck where the "bottom" of the neck seal is tucked under. (When the suit if off, it is the very top/opening of the neck seal) The rest of the neck seems fine. I did not have this with the latex. The irritation does not go all the way around and is mainly in the front of the neck.

I know that reactions to neoprene is far less than latex but does anyone have any suggestions on how I can reduce or stop the reaction other than going back to latex which I do not want to do unless unnecessary?

Is there anything I can do post dive to reduce the irritation?

Thanks

 

[jbd]

Hi All, I think that I may be allergic to my new neoprene neck seal. Not sure yet though. I switched from latex to neoprene last month and since then I have noticed after a day of diving, parts of the skin around my neck are irritated and itchy. I have about 12 dives on it now.

The area affected is the bottom or lower part of the neck where the "bottom" of the neck seal is tucked under. (When the suit if off, it is the very top/opening of the neck seal) The rest of the neck seems fine. I did not have this with the latex. The irritation does not go all the way around and is mainly in the front of the neck.

I know that reactions to neoprene is far less than latex but does anyone have any suggestions on how I can reduce or stop the reaction other than going back to latex which I do not want to do unless unnecessary?

Is there anything I can do post dive to reduce the irritation?

Thanks

See if one of the mods will move this to the dive medicine section. You will probably get more response there.

 

[fisherdvm]

It could be bacterial folliculitis from friction, and maceration.

It could be ingrown hair or pseudofolliculitis barbae, which can also get infected with bacteria.

It could be irritant dermatitis simply from friction, and perhaps from that little bit of soap/shampoo you used to slip through.

I wouldn't yet called a neoprene or rubber catalyst allergy, unless you had a patch test done. That test is expensive if you don't have insurance, and is a pain in the behind to do correctly.

 

[spt29970]

That test is expensive if you don't have insurance, and is a pain in the behind to do correctly.

That's funny, when I had my allergy test, they put the patches on my arms and back

 

[fisherdvm]

To do it in a complete way, the north american series will require 5 patches (pieces of tape) on your back. It is left on for 48 hours. Test is read at 72 hours and in 7 days. Folks don't like to go without a bath for 7 days, and they don't like to limit their activity for 48 hours.

The smaller true test is only 2 pieces of tape, but the new model is 3. Ideally should be read at 72 hrs, and 7 days to get maximum value and accuracy.

 

[fisherdvm]

That's funny, when I had my allergy test, they put the patches on my arms and back

Ha, ha, ha... i got it. It was a joke !!:mooner:

 

[Peter_C]

Also check to make sure your hood is not part of the problem. We call ourselves the "Hangman's Club" every now and again, although most of us use latex seals. We get a rash on the front part of our necks if we do not lube up properly. Glide comes in an easy applicator, and good ole KY Jelly can not be beat. We figure the cause is from turning our heads and the hoods pressure along with other things like maybe the warm neck collar are adding to the problem.

 

[fisherdvm]

Poorman's test for neoprene allergy: Cut a small sliver of the INSIDE of the neck seal. Tape it to the shoulder blade area of your back. Leave in place for 3 or 4 days. If a rash breaks out under the neoprene - you are allergic to it.

Unfortunately, you can see it well, so you can try to tape it to the inside of your forearm, but might leave it a little longer than 4 days. No shower, no bath, no water .... Keep it dry.

 

[igotag!]

One of our instructors is a registered nurse. When I got my drysuit with a neoprene neckseal (Bare D6 Pro), she thought I was allergic too neoprene because my neck got all red and itchy, turns out it was too tight, once I streched the seal on a tank I had no more problems!

 

[TheWetRookie]

One of our instructors is a registered nurse. When I got my drysuit with a neoprene neckseal (Bare D6 Pro), she thought I was allergic too neoprene because my neck got all red and itchy, turns out it was too tight, once I stretched the seal on a tank I had no more problems!

Interesting, it is a new neck seal and it is snug. May just need a little stretching.

Thanks all,