If you've ever noticed after a day at the beach or the pool that the parts of your skin covered by your swimsuit feel itchy, dry, or irritated, you might have a skin sensitivity. Whether your skin is reacting because of a minor sensitivity or a skin allergy, a swimsuit shouldn't make you feel bad. Here are some ways to avoid some of the most commonly irritating components in swimsuits.
Latex
Latex is a common ingredient used in swimsuits to give it that stretchiness that helps to keep it snug on your body. Unfortunately, somewhere between 1% and 6% of the population may have latex allergies, and your risk increases if you've had multiple medical procedures or are allergic to other substances.
Latex allergies range from minor, which can be itchy skin with a visible rash, to life-threatening, where it can cause breathing problems. Unfortunately, this allergy has no known cure, and repeated exposure to latex can make the allergic reactions more severe, so the only way to prevent these symptoms is to avoid latex completely.
What makes it even more difficult to know if you have a latex allergy is that your skin could react anywhere from 12 to 24 hours after being exposed to latex. So if you notice a day after wearing your swimsuit that your skin is irritated, it could be reacting to latex.
Alternatives To Latex
Thankfully, having a latex sensitivity or allergy doesn't mean that you have to give up cute swimsuits. Swimsuit designers are offering swimsuits made of other fabrics and materials to cater to those who are sensitive to latex, and to be more ecologically safe, too. When you're shopping for a swimsuit, try looking for these fabrics:
- Cotton, Hemp, Bamboo - These are natural materials that create fabrics that are soft, comfortable, and rarely irritate skin.
- Spandex - Spandex is a man-made stretchy fabric that gives swimsuits the same snugness that latex does, but without the risk of an allergic reaction.
- Soy - Believe it or not, some manufacturers are designing swimsuits partially made from soy. As an added bonus, soy is UV-resistant and has antibacterial properties, which are great features in a swimsuit.
If you're worried about looks, don't be; high fashion designers and corporations alike are using these materials as alternatives to the plasticky, rubbery swimsuit materials of yesteryear. These more natural materials are also perfect for the flounce tops and ruffles that are popular on swimsuits right now.
If you think you might have a latex allergy, you should see your doctor to be tested, but don't let it stop you from enjoying swimsuit season right now. With these tips, you can find a suit that won't irritate your skin, and will be hip, fashionable, and safe for your body.
