anyone allergic to condoms? if so, were you always, or did it come on later in life? <<obligatory arf at pun>>

[Tutter]

?

I have a latex allergy which includes condoms (although you can now get latex free). Started in my early 20s when I worked in a lab and had to wear latex gloves all day (on my hands obviously). It not a serious anaphylactic allergy more a dermatitis one but horrid none the less (specially down there!)

Any reason you're asking?

Always so with me, allergic to some sex toys too

Is it definitely the latex that the op is allergic to? I used to be sensitive to the spermicide stuff that some of them have on them, but not the actual latex. I found this out quite "early on".

Can't be bothered to name change, hence rather coy post!

you can develop allergies (i.e. not have always had them) and you can be allergic to condoms.

Therefore you can develop an allergy to condoms.

I know someone who's partner is and it is real pain as she cannot take a lot of contraceptives due to having had deep vein thrombosis.

And they don;t want kids.

I hadn't considered that it would be the spermicide...

Later in life - definitely! And thank God because I would have been pg 100s of times over without condoms. My latex allergy appeared when I was in my 30s.

condoms dont contain spermicide any more - almost all spermacidal products have now been discontinued (see other threads re trying to get hold of spermacide to use with diaphragms - its near impossible now). Condoms are often lubricated - but not with spermacide.

the main problem with condoms that most people have is that they dry out and then create micro fissures (little cuts) around the vaginal entrance. this then becomes sore and can feel like burning after sex. this can be prevented by using extra lubrication. in my experience it is very rare to be allergic to condoms (latex allergy aside) and the discmfort etc is usually caused by dryness.

I am, but didn't used to be. I discovered I was when I met dh at 36.

I appear only to be allergic to some condoms and not others - bloody expensive and nerve racking trying to find out which, as the ones i am allergic to cause excruiating pain. I guess its whatever the stuff is they put on it - so if the OP has recently become allergic it might be a different type or the 'formula' might have changed like Persil.

oh latex allergy is nasty, poor you lot who have it.

I'm not allergic to them I don't think but once used a condom that seemed to have extra lubrication on and my GAWD, I felt like I was on fire for about a week.

It was only when I fished out the packet afterwards that I realised it was one of those durex ones with 'tingle'. TINGLE? More like run screaming and dunk yourself in a pond. I think it was menthol or something. I mean WHY would I want farking menthol on my bits.

So check the packet.

That's interesting HelloMama. I never knew that - in my case it was a sensitivity to spermicide, in the days when most of them were lubricated with it.

I wonder whether lots of other people found problems with it?

oh my goodness foxinsocks, i had the 'pleasure' of using a 'tingle' condom too! that 'tingle' stuff is nasty! never again!

lol, it is isn't it. It should come with a health warning. 'NOT FOR THE FAINTHEARTED FANJO'. It is eeeeeeeeeeevil. Evil. EVIL. An enemy of womanhood. It MUST have been devised by a man. Must have been.

I pity the poor rabbits they tested it on. Perhaps it was the bunnies hopping up and down that made them think it was arousing?

ROFL foxinsocks .

Reminds me of a lifeguard event I took part in. We had to swim half a mile or something round the lake at the NEC in Birmingham. The water was quite cold so some of the swimmers were using deep heat type stuff on their muscles. One of my friends said "ooh that's looks good, could I have some?" and having got a palm full promptly stuck his hand in his swimming trunks ......... he was the first one to hit the water when the starting signal went .

owww lol

do you think we've scared tutter off?

I quite like the tingle stuff as I don't seem to be allergic to it

i am sensitive to aprticualr brands, we cna use durex condoms fine but if we stray form that brand to say mates, then it beocmes sensitive down there and certianly not to do with dryness its def a reaction to the condom itself.