Allergy to Goggles (Carba Mix and Thiuram Mix)

RE: Allergy to Goggles (Carba Mix and Thiuram Mix)

Former Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 07:08:29 GMT

Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond to this post! After several weeks I think I've found some solutions, and I wanted to record them for posterity, in case anyone else who has these allergies comes looking for information. I tried several Forum suggestions, including going old school and swimming without goggles! That lasted exactly one Masters practice, and I spent the rest of the day looking like I had been crying. The actual swimming without goggles wasn't as bad as you would think, though. It's just the recovery that was tough. I tried the Barracuda foam-socket goggles that Bobinator mentioned, and while the company didn't answer my email request for information about materials, they haven't seemed to cause a reaction from my skin. Interestingly, though, the package has a warning on it that says the foam from the goggles may cause contact dermatitis; exactly what I wanted to avoid. The fit and feel of these goggles is pretty different, and they take awhile to get used to. I'm still having trouble preventing a tiny leak on one side. The ones I bought are these: www.amazon.com/.../B0024GLP8Y The best thing I've found is all-silicone goggles made by Zoggs (who also didn't answer my email). These fit and feel like regular goggles, they seal really well on my face, and they're very inexpensive. But best of all, no skin reaction: www.leisurepro.com/.../zoggs-racespex-swim-goggles I'm going to stock up on a few extra pairs just in case Zoggs changes their materials!

RE: Allergy to Goggles (Carba Mix and Thiuram Mix)

Former Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 07:04:41 GMT

I appreciate your extra effort! I had also contacted Speedo and Tyr,but neither was very helpful. They basically told me that goggle materials are proprietary information. I may take a look at the Special Ops goggle, though. I have since found that an all-silicone goggle seems to work for me. I'll post more about that. Thanks again! Yes, please post the information about the all-silicone goggle. We may have other members who have similar issues and it would be nice to offer them a potential solution!

RE: Allergy to Goggles (Carba Mix and Thiuram Mix)

Former Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 06:48:55 GMT

RE: Allergy to Goggles (Carba Mix and Thiuram Mix)

Former Member — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 16:51:56 GMT

We contacted a couple of our sponsors and here is what they told us. FROM TYR: "Looks like the most hypoallergenic goggles we have are the Swimple/Big Swimple (more of a kids and rec goggle) as well as the Special Ops (popular with Tri and Open Water) and the Stealth Racing goggle. All are silicone based so might be less likely to cause a reaction." FROM SPEEDO: "Regarding the Speedo Vanquisher & Swedish goggles: they are not made with any carbon mixes. However, we cannot say for certain whether they are made on machinery and equipment that does not touch carbon mixes." As for other Speedo models, they said that if you can tell me specifically which models you are interested in they can tell me whether those models contain your allergens. Also, we have a contact at AquaSphere. If you could send me an email message, I can put you in touch with that person. My email is: Membership (at) usms (dot) org. Anna Lea Matysek

RE: Allergy to Goggles (Carba Mix and Thiuram Mix)

Former Member — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 05:45:07 GMT

I appreciate the thought - I had the same one! Unfortunately the goggles that caused the original problem are my (formerly beloved) Socket Rockets. I've tried regular Swedes with no gasket at all, and while the reaction is slightly less, it still causes a lot of irritation.

RE: Allergy to Goggles (Carba Mix and Thiuram Mix)

Former Member — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 05:42:16 GMT

Thanks! I will give Barracudas a try. At this point, I'm happy to try anything that has a chance at working. It's also good to know that this may not be a "forever" problem.

RE: Allergy to Goggles (Carba Mix and Thiuram Mix)

Former Member — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 05:38:31 GMT

So far I have had a reaction from Tyr Socket Rockets, Tyr Femmes, Speedo Vanquishers, and Speedo Swedes. I haven't tried an all-silicone goggle yet, although Zogg's makes one. The Barracudas that Bobinator mentions above may be silicone too.

RE: Allergy to Goggles (Carba Mix and Thiuram Mix)

smontanaro — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 03:27:51 GMT

I remember that sometime in the mid-80s, there were goggles with no rubber or foam around the edge. That would be Swedes. I use Tyr Socket Rockets, which are essentially Swedes with a thin rubber "gasket". Actual Swedes (no gasket) are still available though. (I hope the pointers don't get my post the boot. I'm not intending to promote either of these companies, just trying to provide useful pointers.)

RE: Allergy to Goggles (Carba Mix and Thiuram Mix)

KeithPav — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 03:12:31 GMT

I remember that sometime in the mid-80s, there were goggles with no rubber or foam around the edge. The plastic eyepiece was directly on your skin. They were the fad-of-the-day for racing. There was a plastic piece between the eyes around a string (if I recall correctly). I cannot remember the strap, but assume it must have been an elastic of some sort, but I am sure that you could probably find another way to secure on your head. I did a quick search of Speedo goggles and it does not look like they make anything like that today. Maybe another manufacturer?

RE: Allergy to Goggles (Carba Mix and Thiuram Mix)

Former Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 08:28:21 GMT

What are the specific goggles (brand and model) that have caused the reaction? Anna Lea Matysek

RE: Allergy to Goggles (Carba Mix and Thiuram Mix)

Bobinator — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 04:31:02 GMT

25 years ago I randomly had the same eye reaction allergy to my goggles. I was using the old school speedo black foam goggles. I didn't go to a Doctor or Allergist, I just started eliminating anything I used on my face and eye area and found the goggles to be the culprit. I switched to the Barracuda brand goggles; they use a replaceable white foamy type gasket around the eye area. The switch immediately solved my problem. I exclusively wore Barracuda's for 3 or 4 years. Now I'm back to using any type of goggle I want with no reaction from my eyes. My point is that this may be a temporary situation for you. Good luck! www.amazon.com/.../ I used The Standard, and The Medalist. These goggles take a little getting used to but become extremely comfortable and tend to not leave goggle rings. You can purchase replacement kits for the eye gasket and straps so they are economically efficient.

RE: Allergy to Goggles (Carba Mix and Thiuram Mix)

Bobinator — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 04:27:57 GMT

RE: Allergy to Goggles (Carba Mix and Thiuram Mix)

Rob Copeland — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 03:27:40 GMT

You could always go old school (no goggles).

RE: Allergy to Goggles (Carba Mix and Thiuram Mix)

ForceDJ — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 03:00:13 GMT

Have you considered strapless swim goggles??? content.time.com/.../0,28804,1940424_1940474_1940619,00.html img.timeinc.net/.../120240.jpg Dan