Allergies! *sob*

[Amphitrite]

So I went and bought a silicone swim cap today. And it reddened my skin and made it burn and itch. SO I had to take it off, wash my face, ears and neck and now have to return it. I am going to look into a latex cap next but I don't know if I'll have any better luck next time. Is there some way of testing different 'water' fabrics before buying them? I'm just glad I tried it out at home first... :mad:

[Merman Chatfish]

My first thought would be going to the store and taking different caps and just rubbing them against different spots on your arm. I winder if its the silicone your allergic to or something else they made the cap with or something on it. There are also different grades of silicone, and some cause reactions, some don't.

Are you getting a swim cap to reduce drag while swimming or to protect your hair from the chlorine?

[Amphitrite]

Speedo brand and I didn't want to say but I only washed it the second time (to see if it was something they powdered it with or somesuch) and nope, still the reaction.

[Merman Chatfish]

I would worry about a possible latex allergy (you would know if you have one) but latex does not last as long in chlorine water. They do also make fabric caps, you could buy one at http://www.swimoutlet.com/lycra-swim-caps-c9636/

[Echidna]

I had a similar reaction to a cap once, and Miyu pointed out the allergy might not be to the silicone, but the colour.
Very vibrant colours (green, red, blue) and especially black contain toxins many people are allergic to.

I never had a bad reaction to my white cap, so you could try if it's that.

[Merman Chatfish]

Oh I never would have thought about the color.

[Echidna]

I also had a bad reaction to my new dive mask (also silicone), but after washing it thoroughly for the first time, the reaction didn't repeat itself, so the silicone wasn't to blame, they must have used some substance in production.

Allergy to silicone is extremely rare, that's why it's used for medical purposes and generally considered the least problematic material of all.

[Amphitrite]

Well it was a white cap so... hm. Good points. I have no problem with gloves. But the second time I did wash it thoroughly

[Merman Chatfish]

When you do find something that works, can you let us know? I like being a repository of information so if it ever comes up with someone at my pool I know what to recommend.

[Amphitrite]

Yeah sure. I was researching latex for now. Looking at Speedo but one I found is getting a beating in reviews

[Amphitrite]

Does... fabric... keep itself up in chlorinated pools? Never even thought of that.

[Merman Chatfish]

As long as you wash it with fresh water after.

Of course you also want to pre-wash it before going into the pool (same idea as hair). You want it to absorb fresh water so it doesn't absorb as much chlorinated water. Same thing with bathing suit or a tail. I usually take mine off and wash it in the sink at the pool or shower with it.

[Amphitrite]

Good to know. :) I will have to see how much they cost and if my local pool allows them.

[Merman Chatfish]

As both a lifeguard and a certified pool and spa operator (yes I have a lot of pool related certifications), I see absolutely no problem with them. I think I saw a few for like 6$ on the website.

[Amphitrite]

Cool thanks. I'm pretty sure Amy'd be cool with them too (she's a lifeguard, my water aerobics instructor and has also given me a few private lessons when I could afford it).

[Merman Chatfish]

You do water aerobics too? Cool. Just watch out for lifeguard water aerobics...way too many pushups.

[Amphitrite]

Yeah I do. And lol! Thankfully we don't do those but we do a lot of pull ups on the diving boards.

[Merman Chatfish]

*shutter* we don't allow people to hang off the diving board. Oh the number of times I have to yell at the lifeguards.

[Amphitrite]

The diving boards have a bar underneath which is what we actually use if that makes it any better?

[Merman Chatfish]

Hmm I'll allow it as long as someone is making sure no one is going on the diving bored. The main concern is someone going off the diving board and hitting someone. Sorry its one of my pet peeves at the pool.

[Amphitrite]

Oh yeah no. We're the only ones over there when we are doing a class. :p

[Merman Chatfish]

Have you tried any more caps yet or did you order the fabric one?

[Amphitrite]

I haven't had time or a chance to get to the store. I hope to next week sometime.

[MermaidBrandie]

In case no one mentioned it: True silicone is hypoallergenic, it's why docs use silicone so much. HOWEVER, something only has to have 10% silicone in the mix to be called silicone at all, at least in the USA.
More than likely you were allergic to something else in the cap. Most caps I've seen are made of latex, thus causing a reaction if you're allergic. A latex allergy starts small over time but with each exposure gets worse.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Amphitrite]

hmmm that's valuable information. Thank-you CoyoteWalker! :) I wonder if there is a place I can purchase a full silicone cap? I'd like to try it. Honestly I bought a latex one but have been afraid of trying it.

[MermaidBrandie]

You could always just hold the latex one and see if you start to have an irritation. If so, there's your problem!
I don't know where to get on, I've never used a swim cap! Haha


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Amphitrite]

Lol could be. :p Thanks.