Q. We need help with a home remedy. My wife seems to be developing an allergy to rubber. After making love she gets a rash and itches something awful.
A guy I work with suggested coating the condom with Crisco to counteract this effect. Would this work? Is there anything else we could put on the condom to create a barrier?
A. We cannot imagine any substance that would provide reliable protection for your wife. Latex allergy is serious and can become life threatening. Your wife will need to alert all her doctors that she has a latex allergy. Should she require surgery sometime in the future it will be essential that her surgeons and nurses avoid latex gloves.
A safer approach to your condom dilemma would be non-latex condoms. Your choices include lambskin or the newer polyurethane. The Cochrane Collaboration is an international group of experts that evaluates a wide ranges of treatments for safety and efficacy. In its report, “Nonlatex versus latex male condoms for contraception,” the authors conclude:
“Although the nonlatex condoms were associated with higher rates of clinical breakage than their latex comparison condoms, the new condoms still provide an acceptable alternative for those with allergies, sensitivities, or preferences that might prevent the consistent use of latex condoms. The contraceptive efficacy of the nonlatex condoms requires more research.”
To access the Cochrane abstract, here is a link.
Please don’t experiment with ways to coat latex as this allergy can only get worse. There is also the possibility that the coating you try might weaken the condom and lead to a break. Your wife should also see a gynecologist to rule out any other problem or check on alternative contraception.
