I have been swimming for 24 years and suddenly I have become allergic to most goggles that I try!
For many years I used the hind compy-style goggles with the foam eye protection. Then suddently I started getting red rings around my eyes that would itch and turn flaky. Very embarrassing! A friend told me to try these speedo hypoallergenic goggles. So I did and my red ring problem went away! For a while, anyway. Now it's about 2 years later and I suddenly started getting the allergy to these, "hypoallergenic" goggles. Does anyone have any ideas? Apparently I must have developed a sudden sensitivity to whatever is in that foam and now to rubber.
Thanks for any help!
Kevin
Former Member
GCG goggles have foam. They have two densities of foam. GCG = graduated compression gasket. The layer that touches your skin is neoprene (foam).
Other goggles like the Vanquisher use a silicone gasket. It shouldn't absorb any irritating chemicals.
One other interesting thing I noticed some time ago - I used to put my Vanquishers in the case they came it - to keep them from getting scratched up so quickly. But they didn't dry so well in the case and I noticed after a month during the summer that they developed a small amount of mold inside the plastic lens.
I stopped putting them in the case and the problem stopped. I also put them in the dishwasher in the utensil rack (a portion of the rack has a lid) to clean them. Works VERY well to clean the grunge that develops on the goggle.
Former Member
I had this problem too - with the GCG goggles.
Tim
OMG...TIM! I'll have to send you a PM. Do you remember me from Oxnard Swim Club? You were older than I was....you had a couple of records there on the OHS wall above the pool. I know this post is old...hoping you are still around! Mary
Former Member
The dermatologist actually took a pair of her swimming goggles, ground them up, and used that for one of the skin tests.
If only all doctors were that dedicated to solving their patients' problems!!!
Former Member
I use the Barracuda Standards, they have got a big foamy seal. This is made of a white hypoallergenic foam . I have seen some swimmers with this exact goggle where the foam is brown ..gross really and wondered how anyone could put that on their face. Every now and then my goggles will start to get some black specks..mold. thats when I clean them up with a bleach bath and their like new. Barracuda changed the foam a couple years back to black.. I guess so people won't see the mold maybe..But I got to thinking it would still be there. Goggles with black or dark plastic seals or black foam seals can get a mold on them and you will not see it. Also notice how a fiilm builds up on goggle lenses. Thats from the pool water and that film also builds up in the goggle seal
My advise take your goggles and give them a good cleaning and rinseing now and then like others here have suggested.
Former Member
Nearly all goggles are made in China. You never know how they are made and with what.
Former Member
Nearly all goggles are made in China. You never know how they are made and with what.
I remember that the cheapo Speedo Sprints, that I've been using for decades, used to be made in Canada.
I wonder if the switch to manufacture in China has something to do with my new goggle allergies.
I've now been using the Tyre Socket Rockets for about a month without skin reactions. The scars from the dermatitis look like they're healing okay. I've been waiting for them to get completely healed before doing the wedding anniversary photos with my wife, delayed for several months now because of the dermatitis.
