The New Intimacy

TPR Allergy

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Contributor: VieuxCarre VieuxCarre
I have a toy in my bag that I absolutely cannot use because my body reacts HORRIBLY to it. It's made of TPR and made my lips absolutely burn when I used it. However, I have other toys that I use on the regular basis that do not cause the same reaction that are made of TPR.

How is it that I seemingly have an allergy to the TPR used to make one toy and not my others? Is this common or am I just a weird cookie? Does anyone else have this problem? Has anyone else experienced this?
04/19/2010
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Contributor: Gunsmoke Gunsmoke
We have TPR toys and have not had an issue - yet. However we have a jelly toy that claims to be pthalate-free - which is suppose to be more body friendly - not so - it burns the hell out of both my wife and I. The only way to use it is with a condom (recommended by many for all toy use). Almost all of our toys are now glass, steel or silicone - so we don't have this problem anymore.
04/20/2010
Contributor: Alan & Michele Alan & Michele
We've had the same thing happen, and I believe it's because "TPR" is kind of a catch-all phrase for materials that have a mishmash of unidentified ingredients. The only thing that most of them seem to have in common is no phthalates. That's about it. From what I've seen, TPR isn't always consistent even if they come from the same manufacturer.
I've often wondered if "TPR" is just a nice way of saying "dense jelly."
04/20/2010
Contributor: LicentiouslyYours LicentiouslyYours
TPR or Thermoplastic Rubber is definitely not Jelly, which is made of PVC (Polyvinyl chloride). That said, each of us can have a reaction to pretty much any kind of substance, even if we have used toys made of that substance for years.

That said, TPR isn't always made with the same ingredients from manufacturer to manufacturer or even product to product, so it's possible this particular product has been made with something your body doesn't like, while the rest of your TPR is perfectly ok for you.

Allergies don't necessarily mean that a product is toxic to everybody or even most people. I know someone who, after a lifetime of enjoying chocolate, developed an allergy to it at age 55!

The point, I suppose, is definitely get rid of that product, but don't necessarily assume all TPR will be a problem for you in the future and don't assume that TPR will cause problems for anybody else. Proceed with caution.
04/20/2010
Contributor: VieuxCarre VieuxCarre
Quote:
Originally posted by LicentiouslyYours
TPR or Thermoplastic Rubber is definitely not Jelly, which is made of PVC (Polyvinyl chloride). That said, each of us can have a reaction to pretty much any kind of substance, even if we have used toys made of that substance for years.

That ... more
Thanks, Laurel! I appreciate your input. I don't want to throw TPR out completely and I'm glad you posted what you did. I'm more aware of my body now and its reactions to certain things. I suppose it's like going to a store and having to try everything on since the same size may not be made the same from store to store
04/21/2010
Contributor: ScottA ScottA
One thing to keep in mind - when yo develop a reaction to one chemical your body might develop a reaction to similar chemicals, and it will probably also become sensitive to lower concentrations of the original chemical. With TPR/TPE there's no way to really know what's in it (the manufacturer will probably not reply to a question such as this, and might not even know), and you need to keep this in mind when buying a toy. Condoms are a good start to keep some old favorites useful.
04/21/2010
Contributor: Airen Wolf Airen Wolf
(EF Review Program Mentor)
One of the easiest ways to test a product that causes a reaction to your lady parts is to hold it in the crook of your arm for around 10 minutes. If there's no reaction it's pretty safe to assume there won't be. Try this with that toy you react to to know what type of sensation you are looking for and to test if it might be the combination of lube and toy or lube and cleaning solution. I have to do this with most TPR and TPE toys because I have had some serious chemical burns from them, I have a slight latex and rubber allergy and sometimes the TPR or TPE toys can mimic the symptoms.
04/21/2010
Contributor: Victoria Victoria
Quote:
Originally posted by Airen Wolf
One of the easiest ways to test a product that causes a reaction to your lady parts is to hold it in the crook of your arm for around 10 minutes. If there's no reaction it's pretty safe to assume there won't be. Try this with that toy you ... more
Very interesting advice! I will have to try that.

I developed a severe allergy to dark hair dyes at 33 years old, so I am much more likely to test before using now!
04/21/2010
Contributor: LicentiouslyYours LicentiouslyYours
Quote:
Originally posted by Airen Wolf
One of the easiest ways to test a product that causes a reaction to your lady parts is to hold it in the crook of your arm for around 10 minutes. If there's no reaction it's pretty safe to assume there won't be. Try this with that toy you ... more
That is great advice and now that you've said it, I've heard people mention this method for testing things for possible allergies before. Great way to avoid the burning vag or worse... burning ass!
04/22/2010
Contributor: Airen Wolf Airen Wolf
(EF Review Program Mentor)
Quote:
Originally posted by Victoria
Very interesting advice! I will have to try that.

I developed a severe allergy to dark hair dyes at 33 years old, so I am much more likely to test before using now!
OMG I live in mortal terror that I'll develope an allergy to hair dye! I have naturally dark hair and thanks to genetics I an turning silver, not white or yellow-y but pure on silver. It looks cool until it gets to prevalent then I just look tired.

Ok just for laughs picture this: An EF brick and mortar store with a coffee bar where we are all gathered around the counter with dildos and vibes tucked into our elbows testing them for any reaction....
04/22/2010
Contributor: Miss Cinnamon Miss Cinnamon
Quote:
Originally posted by Airen Wolf
OMG I live in mortal terror that I'll develope an allergy to hair dye! I have naturally dark hair and thanks to genetics I an turning silver, not white or yellow-y but pure on silver. It looks cool until it gets to prevalent then I just look ... more
...while chatting idly about the newest trends in intimacy products

I hope the barista's cute!
04/22/2010
Contributor: Elodie Elodie
Quote:
Originally posted by Airen Wolf
OMG I live in mortal terror that I'll develope an allergy to hair dye! I have naturally dark hair and thanks to genetics I an turning silver, not white or yellow-y but pure on silver. It looks cool until it gets to prevalent then I just look ... more
Mocha AND sex toys? I would so be there.
04/22/2010
Contributor: VieuxCarre VieuxCarre
Quote:
Originally posted by LicentiouslyYours
That is great advice and now that you've said it, I've heard people mention this method for testing things for possible allergies before. Great way to avoid the burning vag or worse... burning ass!
Burning ass?! That's terrible!
04/23/2010
Contributor: VieuxCarre VieuxCarre
Thanks for all the advice, everyone. I really appreciate the input and it's a comfort to know that I'm not the only one who has encountered a problem with some TPR toys.
04/23/2010
Contributor: Victoria Victoria
Quote:
Originally posted by VieuxCarre
Thanks for all the advice, everyone. I really appreciate the input and it's a comfort to know that I'm not the only one who has encountered a problem with some TPR toys.
And thank you for starting a very productive thread!
04/23/2010