Natural rubber

Natural rubber

Health risk	Low
Legal risk	Low

Natural rubber is a stretchy, resilient, and waterproof material manufactured from latex, a milky liquid extracted from the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis.

Natural rubber is used extensively in many day-to-day applications due to its unique physical properties. It is also used in the crafting of rubber garments and rubber gear.

Appeal

People enjoy wearing rubber for many reasons:

• Appearance: the smooth and featureless appearance of rubber may be appealing to certain people.

• Feel: rubber garments cling to the skin and simultaneously dull and enhance outside sensations.

• Smell: rubber has a distinct smell that may be appealing to certain people.

• Waterproof: the waterproof nature of rubber may be appealing in conjunction with other kinks that involve liquids, such as gunge play and watersports.

Methods

There are a wide variety of rubber garments available, with analogues available for almost every standard clothing item.

Rubber catsuits (one-piece suits covering the torso, arms, and legs) are relatively common compared to other rubber garments.

Risks

• Allergies to natural rubber: Some people may develop an allergy to natural rubber after repeated exposure to products containing latex. Further contact with with natural rubber can result in hives, rhinitis (inflammation of the nose), contact dermatitis, and anaphylaxis in severe cases.

• Skin conditions: Rubber may aggravate some skin conditions, even in people without a latex allergy, because it's frequently worn tight against the skin.

• Constriction: Rubber is very stretchy, so it can cause significant constriction of body parts if not sized correctly, potentially restricting blood flow and resulting in issues with circulation.

• Non-permeability: Rubber is non-permeable (air and water cannot pass through it). Sweat and water can pool in some garments, such as gloves and socks, and extended periods of contact between skin and water can result in skin maceration. Additionally, some rubber garments can present a suffocation risk. Some rubber hoods are specifically designed to facilitate breath play; caution should be taken when wearing these hoods. See breath play for more information.

• Slip & fall hazard: Many types of rubber garments require the use of water-based or silicone-based lubricants for wear. These lubricants are slippery and pose a significant slip & fall hazard if not contained well or cleaned properly after use. Extra caution should be taken when using silicone-based lubricants, as they are not easily removed with just water, and generally require the use of isopropyl alcohol or soap for complete removal.

• Chemical properties of silicone: Some silicones are highly flammable, and some silicones are highly pervasive (they do not break down naturally) and are suspected to be carcinogenic or cause reproductive harm. There are mixed opinions on the long-term effects of silicones in human use, with some studies concluding that these silicones are generally safe for human use, and other studies concluding the opposite. Subsequently, some countries and regions have placed limits on their use in cosmetic products.

• Crafting & repairs: The primary substances used in crafting and repairing rubber garments are heptane and rubber cement (a mixture of latex and heptane). Heptane is extremely dangerous when inhaled, and long term exposure may cause cancer and pose risks to reproductive health.

External links

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubber_and_PVC_fetishism