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What Are the Signs of an Allergic Reaction to Silicone?

Elizabeth West
Elizabeth West

Itching skin and a raised, bumpy rash at the site of contact are the most common signs of an allergic reaction to silicone. More generalized symptoms can also include watery eyes, airway constriction, and anaphylactic shock, but these tend to be very rare. People who have a bad reaction to silicone while wearing a therapeutic mask or while connected to a medical device made of the substance may also experience anxiety and claustrophobia, symptoms which often last for hours or days after the contact has stopped.

Skin Reactions

Watery eyes are a sign of possible allergic reaction to silicone.
Watery eyes are a sign of possible allergic reaction to silicone.

Silicone allergies tend to be very rare, but most medical scholars agree that they do exist in a small number of people. Most cases present as contact-based allergies, which means that the skin reacts in response to actually touching silicone or silicone-containing products. A red, raised rash that is limited to the silicone zone is usually the first sign that something is wrong. Swelling and intense itchiness is also common.

Eye and Airway Problems

Allergic reactions to silicone include itching and irritation.
Allergic reactions to silicone include itching and irritation.

People who suffer from this sort of allergy often have much more intense reactions when the substance actually enters their bodies, either as a result of an intentional cosmetic injection or a leak or break in a sealed implant. Medications that include silicone either as an ingredient or a stabilizer can also be to blame. When the allergen hits a person’s bloodstream it can cause watery eyes, blurred vision, dizziness, and nausea. In particularly severe cases the airway can also constrict and the lungs can grow inflamed, making breathing difficult. Localized swelling often still happens in these cases, but it usually happens in conjunction with these more serious consequences, which can make it harder to notice right away.

Anaphylactic Shock

Signs of an allergic reaction to silicone may include hives.
Signs of an allergic reaction to silicone may include hives.

If silicone allergies are rare, truly life-threatening reactions are rarer still — but they happen. Anaphylaxis, also known as anaphylactic shock, is a medical emergency where the allergen triggers a histamine response in the body that results in sudden hives and swelling of the throat. This is different from a simple airway swelling since, if untreated, it can actually cut off a person’s oxygen and has been known to lead to a somewhat rapid death. Most people with a known allergy of this magnitude carry an epinephrine injection device that can buy them time until they can get to a hospital for treatment with adrenaline and supportive care.

Anxiety and Claustrophobia

A skin patch test is the most common way to test for a silicone allergy.
A skin patch test is the most common way to test for a silicone allergy.

Silicone is used in continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) masks worn by obstructive sleep apnea patients, and if one of these patients has an allergy to the substance he or she may experience anxiety and claustrophobia. In most cases these symptoms aren’t strictly related to the allergy — most of the time, patients are predisposed for them from the outset — but the allergy often makes the condition much more pronounced, to the point where it can become debilitating.

Understanding the Different Types of Silicone

Hydrocortisone cream can be used to treat the swelling and itching associated with an allergic reaction.
Hydrocortisone cream can be used to treat the swelling and itching associated with an allergic reaction.

A big part of understanding an allergic reaction to silicone is understanding the many forms of the substance. Silicone has many uses both household and commercial. It is usually the case that medical grade silicone is free of allergens, and most people with reactions have come into contact with commercial products that aren’t subject to the same regulations and purity standards.

Medical grade silicone is an inert substance composed of polymers that are generally safe to use around living tissue. This sort of material is used in catheters, baby bottle nipples, and facial implants among other things. Use of these items is not known to trigger an allergic reaction, but there may be additives or other ingredients that can do so.

Some of the most popularly known medical silicone is used in cosmetic implants. Most of the time implants are encapsulated in a tough shell from which the substance can’t escape. Liquid silicone is not approved for cosmetic use in many countries, including the United States, since it often triggers an inflammatory response. When used in large quantities, it sometimes migrates from the injection site and can cause granulomas, or lumpy inflamed tissue, and possibly even embolisms. Pain is often the first symptom of an allergic reaction to this kind of injection.

Industrial silicone used in household products and common accessories is not as pure or subject to as much testing as medical grade silicone, so there is a higher chance contaminants may be present. Contaminants don’t always make allergies more likely, but they can aggravate preexisting conditions. People can encounter the chemical in a range of settings. Many cleaners, some contact lenses, and a number of fashion elements incorporate this compound, and many rubber compounds include it as an ingredient, too.

Treatments and Diagnoses

The most common way to test for a silicone allergy is with a skin patch test. This usually involves exposing a small region of skin, normally on the inner arm, to diluted pure silicon. Patients are usually kept for observation to see what sort of reaction, if any, happens. People who test positive are usually advised to either avoid silicone or take precautions to minimize their risk of flare-up or breakout.

In medical settings, fixing the problem may be as simple as outfitting devices like CPAP with barriers that keep the offending parts off the skin. Hydrocortisone creams and oral antihistamines can often help calm the irritated area, too. In the case of liquid silicone, it’s often the case that removal of the affected tissue is the only way to help alleviate the inflammatory response.

Steps To Take If You Suspect a Silicone Allergy

It’s important not to jump to conclusions regarding silicone allergies, which are exceedingly rare. Red, burning and itching rashes on the skin are called contact dermatitis. They can be caused by allergic reactions to certain ingredients, but they can also happen because of strong irritants. Poorly made silicone products such as wedding bands can sometimes trigger contact dermatitis, not because of the silicone, but because of other irritant chemicals used during production.

If you think you may be allergic to silicone, make an appointment with your doctor to be sure. You should visit a doctor right away if you notice the following symptoms:

  • The allergic reaction happens on your face
  • You notice symptoms in the genital area
  • The rash spreads or feels painful
  • The symptoms don’t go away after several weeks
  • You have trouble breathing because of swelling
  • Your mouth or throat feels like it’s burning
  • You have a fever
  • The rash looks infected (e.g., you notice sores or pus)

The doctor can prescribe antihistamine medication or hydrocortisone creams to lessen the symptoms. It may take 12–36 hours or more for the allergic reaction to fade completely, though.

Silicone Allergy What To Avoid

Countless everyday items contain silicone, from beauty products to cleaning products:

  • Hand soaps and dish soaps
  • Hair products
  • Gloves
  • Skin creams
  • Personal lubricants
  • Laundry detergents
  • Makeup sponges
  • Contact lenses

If your doctor discovers you have a silicone allergy, you need to avoid contact with all products that contain silicone. You should also carry a medical alert bracelet so EMTs don’t use any silicone-containing devices in emergency situations.

Latex Vs. Silicone Allergy

A latex allergy can cause symptoms that are very similar to an allergic reaction to silicone, and latex allergies are more common, though still rare. Latex allergies affect 1%–6% of people in the United States. Latex is a type of natural rubber that is used in many products, including balloons, condoms and rubber gloves.

Latex allergies can cause both contact dermatitis and breathing problems depending on the type of exposure. Here are the allergy symptoms that can appear when your skin comes into contact with latex:

  • Inflammation
  • Itching
  • Burning
  • Redness
  • Rash
  • Irritation

For people who have a true latex allergy, tiny particles of latex inside gloves may irritate the respiratory system, causing watery eyes, itching, swelling around the mouth and trouble breathing. Severe reactions can cause life-threatening anaphylactic shock.

How To Test for a Silicone Allergy

If you suspect a silicone allergy — perhaps because of red rashes after applying beauty products or other allergic reactions — it’s important to visit a medical professional. Generally, you should contact an allergist or dermatologist.

Do not attempt to determine allergy by applying more of the irritating substance to your skin on your own. The more you expose your body to an allergy-causing component, the worse the allergic reaction can become.

An allergist can perform a skin prick test using several possible allergens. This test checks a small patch of skin against suspected allergens, including silicone and latex. Beauty products can contain dozens of ingredients that may contribute to allergies in sensitive individuals, and identifying the right trigger is essential for avoiding repeat problems.

Discussion Comments

anon1005895

This post helped me figure out that what I thought could be covid was actually a silicone allergy. I have stretched ears and I recently bought some silicone plugs. Now my ear holes are still fresh, so think of it as an open wound, pretty much.

I had the plugs in for like 3 days and the day after I put them in I woke up not able to breathe, and with a headache and dizziness. It felt like someone was sitting on my chest at all times. the only relief I could find was massaging around the lung area on my back and even that difference was like nothing. My ears are super swollen and bumpy. A couple of blisters on the back of my ears popped when I lightly touched them.

I felt so sick all over. I'm one of those super independent sick people but as of now, I need some help. This reaction is worse than anything I've ever felt (aside from an IUD). I have taken the plugs out but I'm still feeling the effects the day after. I'm going to go see my doctor and see if I can get an EpiPen. I have reacted to silicone in the past but never this extreme, as it would just be gloves or a bracelet or something.

anon1004675

This sadly didn’t help me. I had bunion surgery and used a silicone spacer. Woke up with it completely inflamed and severe itching. Discontinued. Cleaned it. Every few weeks it would again burn painfully for a few hours and then stop. It has been two years and that area will wake me up with severe pain! Two years later!!! I don’t understand how my toes are still affected by that spacer so long ago.

anon996231

For fourteen years I have used CPAP successfully and it has benefitted me greatly. Recently, I ordered a replacement nose cushion as I have for years, but this time the cushion came in a different package and had a chemical odor. So I washed it and sniffed it several times but the odor remained and it made me sick, e.g., it caused nasal burning, congestion, mucus and sinus headache. Since then I have tried different cushions from different manufacturers and all gave me the same symptoms, therefore, the new silicone must be different.

anon964023

Thank you for providing this detailed but concise information; it’s exactly what I needed to know but did not know enough to ask! I had a recent experience with very severe respiratory allergic symptoms after I got my new CPAP rig. It took me a month to figure out the potential source of the problem, and it was confirmed it by an overnight reduction in symptoms when I changed back to my old machine.

The supplier told me no one else they service had ever had an allergy from the machine, and even my allergy doc told me it was impossible that the CPAP machine and my symptoms were related. However, a more knowledgeable online supplier gave me the key bit of info: silicon is the only known allergen in a CPAP machine, and silicons were used in 90 percent of masks produced (there are silicon-free masks produced).

I finally found this page and the past five years suddenly make sense. My keyword was “anxiety.” I have had problem with anxiety attacks for past several years corresponding to CPAP use. I am now elderly, which is the perfect excuse for any infirmity, but anyone who knew me through the years would testify anxiety was not part of my days! It is conjecture at this point, but I have a skin test scheduled for next week for confirmation.

anon951428

@Post 3: Thank you for mentioning hearing aids! My audiologist can't believe my problem (with outer ears) itching. So I use the hearing aids much less frequently than I might otherwise.

anon947934

Thank you for this article. I have a serious skin burn with blisters from wearing hold up stockings with silicon strips on the inside for holding them up. Never experienced this before. I was startled to see the blisters on my thighs. Couldn't find anything to substantiate my suspicion that it must be the silicon strip.

anon349878

You can have a silicone allergy. It took me a year to convince my eye doctor that it was my silicone contacts I was allergic to. I finally got him to order me some that were silicone free and have had no problems. Those little bracelets everyone wears made from silicone make my wrist swell after about four days.

anon349420

I have been told by a chemist and doctors you can't be allergic to silicone, that no one is allergic to silicone. but I have trouble because I can't use my sleep apnea machine or my hearing aids, since both contain silicone. I have been told they can't prove you have an allergy so you can't receive a letter to replace them. Thank you. It really does help knowing that I am not imagining it.

anon342229

It is so frustrating that the medical industry still believes after all these years that there is not a reaction to silicone in some people. It's not anaphylactic. For me, it causes weeping in the skin -- the same problem women who had burst breast implants had.

It has many ongoing physiological effects and I have to maintain it via increased electrolyte intake due to the increased water change in my cells, and expectorant intake.

anon333004

Very informative, as I had contact dermatitis from a breast prosthesis. It went from my collar bone to my bottom rib.

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    • Watery eyes are a sign of possible allergic reaction to silicone.
      By: MarkFGD
      Watery eyes are a sign of possible allergic reaction to silicone.
    • Allergic reactions to silicone include itching and irritation.
      By: nebari
      Allergic reactions to silicone include itching and irritation.
    • Signs of an allergic reaction to silicone may include hives.
      By: marilyn barbone
      Signs of an allergic reaction to silicone may include hives.
    • A skin patch test is the most common way to test for a silicone allergy.
      By: Alexander Raths
      A skin patch test is the most common way to test for a silicone allergy.
    • Hydrocortisone cream can be used to treat the swelling and itching associated with an allergic reaction.
      By: carroteater
      Hydrocortisone cream can be used to treat the swelling and itching associated with an allergic reaction.