Snorkeling and scuba equipment provide divers the resources to easily and comfortably explore below the ocean's surface. The tube on the snorkel provides air flow to the divers and allows them to stay under the water for an extended period of time. However, it is not uncommon for a diver to develop inflamed or swollen lips after snorkeling, due to a reaction from the latex material commonly found on snorkel and diving equipment.
Latex
The Family Doctor website defines latex as a natural rubber developed from a liquid in tropical rubber trees. Latex is manufactured to make rubbery products such as diving masks, fins, and snorkels. A vast amount of snorkel and scuba equipment has been produced using latex; the new trend for companies that manufacture this equipment is to make their products using latex-free materials because many individuals have a reaction to latex.
Latex and Snorkeling Equipment
The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI) explains that a person can develop an allergy to latex after many exposures. Since the majority of scuba equipment is made from latex, it is not uncommon for divers to develop an allergy to latex over time, with repeated use. Since the mouthpiece of the snorkel is made of latex and it has direct contact with a diver's mouth, this contact may cause irritation of the face and/or swelling of the mouth and lips. An allergic reaction to latex may only affect many areas of the body, such as the mouth, nose, eyes, or glands, and include symptoms such as hives, stuffy nose, skin problems, redness, and swelling of that part of the skin that had contact with the latex item.
Treatment
If you experience lip swelling after snorkeling, consider purchasing a snorkel that is made with latex-free materials. If you do not want to switch your snorkel, consider making an appointment with a doctor to have an allergy test done to verify that the reaction is caused by contact with the latex material. Additionally, if you experience swelling of the mouth and tongue after snorkeling, you should seek medical attention to make sure that your airways do not become constricted.
Solution
If you have a reaction to your snorkel and your lips swell, the ACAAI recommends not ignoring this symptom. The swelling and redness is a histamine response from your body telling you that something does not agree with your natural body chemistry. If this occurs, your snorkeling career is not over; there is a feasible solution. Most scuba companies now make latex-free scuba and snorkeling equipment. In fact, the majority of new products are made with latex-free materials because of the high frequency of individuals developing a reaction to latex.
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