With the rise of Latex costuming in the Cosplay Community, I feel it important and necessary to bring to light an issue that can cause some traumatic effects.
Latex is becoming a more prominent allergy with the excessive usage in today’s society. It’s used in gloves, sponges, mattresses and makeups, which has also driven many companies to provide non-latex products. Whether or not you have personally witnessed this, I can tell you that it in fact, does exist, and is not some sham made by hypochondriacs to make your day more difficult. 1-6 Americans are allergic to rubber-latex, while a larger percentage is latex-sensitive- Meaning their intolerance is not life-threatening. Even so, allergic reactions can still be very scary.
A personal friend of mine (The Keeper Thief Cosplay) can be in the same room as a latex costume and break out into hives.( Photo by Cnidarium Photography.)
This is not something to take lightly, as most people with excessive allergies can be prone to panic during an allergic reaction which can further complicate their symptoms. Here are some guidelines and explanations to follow if you wish to safely wear latex around the general populace.
I know for most people who have few or no allergies, it is hard to understand how some non living thing can kill a person just from touching or ingesting, so let me explain a little on how an allergy works.
Allergies are created due to a hyper-aware immune system. Despite it being what keeps us from dying of sickness, it also makes some really silly mistakes.In short, an allergy is when the bodies immune system mistakens a substance as a hostile disease. The reaction can range from just simply sneezing, to entire organs and systems shutting down. A common symptom is the throat will begin to swell shut, leaving the person unable to breathe. Some of the first most notable reactions to look for is eyes swelling, hives appearing, itchy watery eyes , wheezing, a feeling of chest tightening, and some others. All people are different, and can react in a large range to allergies.
So please, use caution in wearing any substance made from latex. Be aware and conscientious that some people can die from touching your costume. This is not a guilt trip or some twisted plot to demonize you or your latex costume, I just want those to be aware, and to take proper responsibility in wearing a potentially hazardous cosplay.
This is a very personal matter for me, as the thought of losing my boyfriend over something as silly as a costume is terrifying. You wouldn't want to put yourself or your loved ones in that kind of situation. (Prince of Socks Cosplay and Myself)
Latex is becoming a more prominent allergy with the excessive usage in today’s society. It’s used in gloves, sponges, mattresses and makeups, which has also driven many companies to provide non-latex products. Whether or not you have personally witnessed this, I can tell you that it in fact, does exist, and is not some sham made by hypochondriacs to make your day more difficult. 1-6 Americans are allergic to rubber-latex, while a larger percentage is latex-sensitive- Meaning their intolerance is not life-threatening. Even so, allergic reactions can still be very scary.
A personal friend of mine (The Keeper Thief Cosplay) can be in the same room as a latex costume and break out into hives.( Photo by Cnidarium Photography.)
This is not something to take lightly, as most people with excessive allergies can be prone to panic during an allergic reaction which can further complicate their symptoms. Here are some guidelines and explanations to follow if you wish to safely wear latex around the general populace.
- .Try to limit touching of public property and other people. You never know when someone can be intolerant or allergic, the person themself might not even know until it is too late. We don’t want to be responsible for someone's trip to the emergency room. This may sound paranoid, but most substances have oils and scents that can carry the rubber-latex molecules off itself and to other surfaces.
- Familiarize yourself with what to do in the event of a severe allergic reaction. An allergic reaction can kill someone in minutes, so make sure you have someone immediately fetching the on site paramedics and someone calling an emergency line. If you know you will be frequently wearing a latex outfit, perhaps take a first aid class. You can get certified and that can be cool anyway! Find out where you can also learn to inject someone with an epi-pen. Even if you are alerting the paramedics, you might have to inject someone anyway to buy the person reacting enough time for them to get into the emergency room.
- If someone contacts you, knowing they will be in close proximity and have a latex allergy, it is best to avoid being in the same space. If you can it is always the right thing to make sure said person is not in immediate danger by being too close. It’s also a kind, and responsible thing to announce to you friends or fans that you will be wearing latex pieces in your cosplay. It’s just a courteous thing to do.
- And finally, if someone says they are allergic, do NOT take any chances. Play it safe and be responsible in trusting that person. I know that it’s a fad to make-up illness, but you never take chances with life-threatening allergies.
I know for most people who have few or no allergies, it is hard to understand how some non living thing can kill a person just from touching or ingesting, so let me explain a little on how an allergy works.
Allergies are created due to a hyper-aware immune system. Despite it being what keeps us from dying of sickness, it also makes some really silly mistakes.In short, an allergy is when the bodies immune system mistakens a substance as a hostile disease. The reaction can range from just simply sneezing, to entire organs and systems shutting down. A common symptom is the throat will begin to swell shut, leaving the person unable to breathe. Some of the first most notable reactions to look for is eyes swelling, hives appearing, itchy watery eyes , wheezing, a feeling of chest tightening, and some others. All people are different, and can react in a large range to allergies.
So please, use caution in wearing any substance made from latex. Be aware and conscientious that some people can die from touching your costume. This is not a guilt trip or some twisted plot to demonize you or your latex costume, I just want those to be aware, and to take proper responsibility in wearing a potentially hazardous cosplay.
This is a very personal matter for me, as the thought of losing my boyfriend over something as silly as a costume is terrifying. You wouldn't want to put yourself or your loved ones in that kind of situation. (Prince of Socks Cosplay and Myself)
That being said, I love the community and I want us all to be safe and happy! And remember, a lot of these examples are the most worst-case scenario. Don’t be terrified and needlessly paranoid in your own life, and don’t let these things bring you down. Strike a balance in being aware but don’t let it rule your life.