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Neoprene Allergy? Patagonia Might Help!
Lauren Collison December 29th, 2016 Posted In: Articles, News
Have a Neoprene Allergy? Patagonia Yulex Wetsuits Could Be Your Solution!
If you’ve ever experienced a neoprene allergy, it’s not pleasant to say the least. The latest wetsuit technology from Patagonia might just solve that problem!
While it’s not an exact guarantee yet, the brand new line of neoprene-free (and potential hypoallergenic wetsuit) Yulex wetsuits from Patagonia may prevent a neoprene allergy reaction.
Hub Hubbard, Patagonia’s Wetsuit Product Manager and the mind behind the Yulex line, said, “Some people are allergic to Thiuram, which is not present in our rubber. However that’s not to say they aren’t allergic to some other ingredients, like foaming agents or lamination glues. We’ve had some people be successful with the yulex rubber and some have still had reactions.”
So there’s some hope for those suffering from a neoprene allergy. If you tend to experience a wetsuit allergy or maybe you’re not sure if you will, contact us and we’ll send you a Yulex material wetsuit sample that you can wear around your arm or leg to test for a reaction (for a small fee). That way, before taking the dive – no pun intended – of committing to buying a wetsuit, you can see if Yulex causes a neoprene allergy or not.
Interested? Call us (866-906-7848) or email (service@wetsuitwearhouse.com) and we’ll be happy to help ease any neoprene allergy woes!
Want to know more about Yulex? Check out this video!
*Update: Patagonia recently updated and added more information concerning the ingredients their neoprene-free line of Yulex wetsuits do and do not contain. Check out our latest in-depth post explaining why Yulex wetsuits are a hypoallergenic wetsuit option and how these suits could help those with neoprene sensitivities!*
Lauren Collison
Contributor at Wetsuit Wearhouse
Lauren (LoLo) has been turning words into blog posts for Wetsuit Wearhouse since 2014. She learned to surf for the first time ever in Costa Rica but she gravitates more towards SUP. When she's not scouring the web for travel deals, you can find her either hiking, running, gardening, tending to her animals, or reading a good book outside on a beautiful day.
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My daughter has a pretty severe “mixed dialkyl thioureas” allergy. This does include neomycin.
(This substance is used in the manufacturing of rubber. It is also used as a paper coating to stave off yellowing. Products such as wet suits, blue prints, paint removers, elastic in clothing, copy paper, flame retardant clothing, footwear, gloves, glue remover, and polishes will contain mixed dialkyl thioureas.)
Would this “hypoallergenic” wetsuit work for her? Is it possible to get a small material sample for her to test out before actually purchasing the full wetsuit?
Hi Michelle,
Please contact our customer service team via phone 866-906-7848 or email service@wetsuitwearhouse.com and they can help get you set-up with a Patagonia Yulex sample to try. Thanks!
I have used a wetsuit for years, but last one I purchased I became allergic to neoprene and broke out in a terrible rash all over my entire body.
Do any wetsuits not have neoprene.
Hi Virginia,
We totally understand about neoprene allergies and how frustrating it can be to find a neoprene-free wetsuit so you can still participate in water sports without the rash or allergic reaction! Take a look at our line of Patagonia Yulex wetsuits. Yulex is neoprene-free, and if you’re hesitant to buy the suit, contact our customer service team either via live chat, email (service@wetsuitwearhouse.com) or call 866-906-7848 and they can send you a Yulex sample to try out. Here’s our selection of Yulex: https://www.wetsuitwearhouse.com/wetsuits/category/patagonia-wetsuits.html
Thank you!
Okay, as a long term swimmer who is allergic to neoprene, I would appreciate an update — Does ANY company make a hypo allergenic wetsuit for swimmers/ divers? why on earth would anyone make a hypo allergenic wetsuit that can only be used for surfing? I find that so bizarre and wildly irritating (no pun intended). I couldn’t believe that when I put “hypo allergenic” into the search bar on the Wetsuit Wearhouse website, I came up with NOTHING.
SOS, surely someone SOMEWHERE has created a solution for the many humans on this planet who swim / dive who are allergic to neoprene.
Thanks for any suggestions you can give me.
Hey Caroline,
We feel and understand your pain and concerns here. Patagonia’s Yulex line of wetsuits is natural and neoprene-free, but it is hard to find hypoallergenic wetsuits on the swim/dive market for sure. You can check out our Patagonia Yulex stuff here: https://www.wetsuitwearhouse.com/wetsuits/category/patagonia-wetsuits.html. Maybe one day more wetsuit manufacturers will start providing a variety of hypoallergenic wetsuit options!
Hello –
I have an allergy to neoprene / other chemicals (I have never gotten tested for exactly what causes the reaction), but have never been able to wear wetsuits.
I started competing in Ironman triathlons a couple years ago, and have looked everywhere for a solution. Last year I purchased this suit by Patagonia. I had extremely high hopes. Unfortunately, I had a reaction after testing it.
I would appreciate any other possible direction to go or try with this. I won’t stop searching!
-Xan
Hey Xan,
So sorry that this suit did not work for you and caused a reaction. You purchased the Yulex suit from Patagonia, correct? We hope that you have been able to find a new wetsuit that has not caused you to react.
Wishing you all the best!
Hi,
I Am a free diver (spear fishing) and have a 2 piece camo open cell suit that has never given me any problem re: rash/allergy, probaby because i dive in cold water here in New Zealand.
However I have recently taken up freedive pool training and purchased a 2 mm dedicated apnea suit. (Beachat Zento) I have found I am allergic to the neoprene which leaves me with a rash stomach/back/shoulder areas after every training and takes me a week to recover..and so the cycle continues. I love the training and have increased my breath time and underwater distance considerably but I struggle for days afterwards with the itching rash and have to treat this with antihystemine/creams
Your natural rubber suits may be a godsend!
Do you manfacture a 2mm freedive suit (ie: drag coefficint/fit) such as the zento. If so I would be very interested to try an allergy test of your product.
Look forward to your reply
Peter-Ray
Hey Peter-Ray,
Thanks for reaching out to us about this. We actually do not sell (and Patagonia also does not make) swimming-specific suits in this neoprene-free material. Their suits are strictly for surfing purposes. We apologize about this and that we do not offer neoprene-free options for swim use at the moment. We hope you are able to find something that will work, we know neoprene allergies are no fun! Again, thank you for asking.