Condom allergy <- Has anybody heard of this before?

[tatemae]

Okay, I've heard of people having allergies to condoms -- to the material from which condoms are made, or to the spermicides/lubricants with which condoms are coated -- before; however, I've always heard that the allergic reaction is caused by contact with the condom.

Because I seem to be allergic to condoms without contact -- if I spend sufficient time in a room which has a condom in it -- eg. in the trash -- I suffer from eye irritation*, to the extent that I become almost blind in one eye; has anybody ever heard of this type of condom allergy?

(I'd ask my doctor about it except that I'm not sure if I even have a doctor, and it isn't a priority (I'm a virgin, and unlikely to ever lose that status :P ))

*To clarify, my eyes don't/skin around my eyes doesn't swell up, and my eyes don't itch, but my eyes do become painful, and (sometimes) my eyes do become bloodshot.

[wanzulfikri]

This is one unique allergy you have here. Have you searched the web for answers?

[lifetimelearner]

contact reactions- yes
your reaction- no

and out of curiosity why will your status not change ?

[aelle]

It sounds very unusual. Have you had that reaction with other latex items? Like, in the doctor's office where there are latex gloves around?

Could it be a reaction to semen instead?

Have you tested your reaction in a blind study, to see if your eye irritation is somehow psychosomatic?

If I were you I would pinpoint where the issue come from to be able to avoid it.

[Curtis2011]

It sounds entirely psychological IMO. Maybe you have some underlying emotions dealing with sex/condoms and the allergy is how your body expresses those emotions.

I would recommend trying some EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) for it.

[tatemae]

Originally Posted by wanzulfikri

Have you searched the web for answers?

Yes; unfortunately none of the information I've found fits my symptoms.

Originally Posted by lifetimelearner

and out of curiosity why will your status not change ?

Ugh, I'd rather not fill this thread with wangst :P

Originally Posted by aelle

Have you had that reaction with other latex items?

Not to my knowledge, which leads me to believe that if my surmise is correct -- that I'm allergic to condoms -- that my symptoms are most likely a reaction to the spermicide/lubricant, not to the latex.

Originally Posted by aelle

Could it be a reaction to semen instead?

I've investigated the causes of semen allergies and think it unlikely -- and even if it were a semen allergy, none of the information I've found fits my symptoms.

Originally Posted by aelle

Have you tested your reaction in a blind study, to see if your eye irritation is somehow psychosomatic?

Kinda ;) It took me some time to (seemingly) discover why I sometimes suffer the symptoms I do, so I would discard as an explanation my symptoms being psychosomatic.

Originally Posted by Curtis2011

It sounds entirely psychological IMO.

See above ;)

[Clint Cora]

If it's not latex, try to see what happens with a non-latex condom or a condom without spermicide or lubricant.

[tatemae]

Originally Posted by Clint Cora

If it's not latex, try to see what happens with a non-latex condom or a condom without spermicide or lubricant.

I will -- as well as try to ask my doctor (if I even have a doctor) -- although I'm not sure where would even sell those; as I mentioned in my first post, it isn't urgent ;) -- I was just wondering whether anybody had heard of the type of condom allergy I described (I'm a unique snowflake, yay :P )

[lifetimelearner]

no you don't have to reveal anything you don't want to

[tatemae]

Originally Posted by lifetimelearner

no you don't have to reveal anything you don't want to :)

Hah, it is not that I don't want to post ''personal secrets'' -- rather, it is that I don't want to post what would be (or would be seen to be) self-indulgent whining ;)

[lifetimelearner]

what would you be whining about ?

If you have a situation that you are trying to remedy then asking for advice is not whining

[wanzulfikri]

Yes it is true, you are not considered as whining unless you complain too much. But what I can see is a person seeking advice.