I tend to get breakouts around my mouth and chin and on the back of my neck (under my hair) after several days of diving. Does anyone else experience this? Nowhere else on my face or body. I know there's a thing called skin dcs but that's not it. I get this almost every time I dive for a week or more. I'm a very safe, experienced diver and there are no other symptoms and it hasn't ever occured anywhere else on my body. Maybe the neck can be caused by irritation from my wetsuit, but that doesn't explain around my mouth and chin? If it is an allergy to something in the wetsuit, woudn't I experience it on other parts of my body? And can you be allergic to your reg? Even if, the reg doesn't acutally touch my face, only the bubbles. It doesn't occur until about the 3rd day of diving and is very bothersome, unsightly and embarrasing. Any suggestions or clues?
Pimples / Skin Irritation after Diving
- Thread starter Casbah
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mike_s
Contributor
google neoprene allergies... some people have an allergy to the neoprene in wetsuits.
the rubber mouthpiece in the reg might be an issue also. you might be able to replace it with another brand made out of a different rubber.
the rubber mouthpiece in the reg might be an issue also. you might be able to replace it with another brand made out of a different rubber.
Bubbletrubble
Contributor
@Casbah: I have pretty sensitive skin, too. I find that sometimes all it takes is 1 dive to get skin blemishes/pimples in the mouth or chin area the following day. This is caused by my neoprene hood rubbing the skin in that area. I've found that washing my face with an acne-style cleanser (containing some salicylic acid) shortly after diving really helps.
I've been on several multi-day dive vacations and meticulous skin care is usually not high on my list...the diving is. Good luck with finding a solution. Don't be afraid to see a dermatologist if you're still looking for answers.
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Hi Casbah,
Lots of info that would be of use in replying is absent from the description, e.g.:
-does the breakout itch?
-is the breakout helped by medication or special care?
-is the diver using sunblock or a similar product?
-is their any prior history of dermatological problems (e.g., acne)?
-are the wetsuit and reg periodically disinfected?
In the meantime, wetsuit-related irritation or allergy should be ruled out, as should conditions such as folliculitis (such as can occur when diving in high heat and humidity).
BTW, it definitely isn't DCS involving the skin, nor related to the bubbles exhaled from the reg.
Regards,
DocVikingo
Lots of info that would be of use in replying is absent from the description, e.g.:
-does the breakout itch?
-is the breakout helped by medication or special care?
-is the diver using sunblock or a similar product?
-is their any prior history of dermatological problems (e.g., acne)?
-are the wetsuit and reg periodically disinfected?
In the meantime, wetsuit-related irritation or allergy should be ruled out, as should conditions such as folliculitis (such as can occur when diving in high heat and humidity).
BTW, it definitely isn't DCS involving the skin, nor related to the bubbles exhaled from the reg.
Regards,
DocVikingo
No itching
It seems to be helped by acne medication but takes time, just as regular acne, or maybe it isn't helped and just heals over time? Once the breakout occurs, it remains until after the dive trip is over and then heals. Also to clarify, it isn't like cystic acne, just pimples or pimple like.
Using sun block, but on other parts of face and body, not under hair on my neck or around my chin and mouth where this occurs.
Have had simple occasional breakouts. Not the amount that this involves. This only occurs after multiple dives.
Yes, wetsuit and reg are regularly disinfected, however generally not during a week long trip, only before or after.
I don't think it's truly an allergy to the wetsuit or other parts of my body would be affected.
I looked up folliculitis on webmd and it sounds like it could be that but don't know why it only occurs during diving. The irritation of the wetsuit on my neck could cause it there but still confused about chin/ mouth.
Thank you all for your help and suggestions and if anyone else has input, I would appreciate it.
Scuba31
Contributor
The one quick way to rule out an allergic reaction is benadryl. I know the drowsy side effect isn't the most desirable, but it is a sure fire way to tell if it is an allergic reaction or not.
Doubler
Contributor
It is nice that all us people on the web have an opinion. I would call DAN they are the experts.
Hardet
New
I just spent a week in Cozumel diving (roughly 3 dives a day) and came back with similar skin issues. The left side of my chin/cheek area has breakouts. I've never had skin issues and wash daily and after dives with a gentle facial cleanser. Is this something that happens after prolonged diving?
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