Allergic reactions to mask skirts, regulator mouthpieces, and snorkel mouthpieces.

Abstract

Allergic reactions to mask skirts, regulator mouthpieces, and snorkel mouthpieces. SCOPE OF PROBLEM - A severe intra-oral irritation, vesiculation, and generalized inflammation which I attributed to a systemic reaction first called to my attention the clinical entity of allergic reactions to diving equipment. Seven years later I published a small “blurb” in Skin Diver’s Driftwood Column and the response made me aware that this problem was far from unique with me. More than fifty letters, some agonizing, were received and, during the past year, I have received direct information on many more cases. One scuba instructor, a very fine observer, stated that about 25% of her students showed some reaction to regulator mouthpiece. Allergic reactions caused by fins and/or fin straps have also been reported to me.