How Common is a Silicone Allergy with Silicone Breast Implants? Doctor Answers, Tips
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How Common is a Silicone Allergy with Silicone Breast Implants?

I have a lot of allergies and I am concerned that silicone may be a problem for me. Is there any way to test for a silicone allergy? Is it rare or common to be allergic to the silicone implant shell?

14 Doctor Answers | Asked by Eva S in Seattle, WA
+2

Silicone Allergy is Unknown

While there is really no solid documentation of silicone allergy, there are inflammatory reactions to liquid silicone. Since you have a complex allergy history, consult with your allergist for their advice.
+2

Very unlikely

It is possible to develop an allergic reaction to almost any product or substance in our surroundings. . However the silicone allergies are very rare and uncommon .Silicone is found in many household items such as hand lotions, polishes, waterproof coatings and even processed foods. Therefore allergy to silicone can one develop even without the existence of silicone breast implants. see video
+2

Silicone

I agree with the physicians below. Silicone is inert and should not be the cause of a true allergy. In addition - almost all needles that are used to perform injections or place intravenous lines are coated with silicone to increase the ease of passing through the skin. If you've had an injection or an IV you may have already had your allergy test. I would like to add that both silicone and saline implants have silicone shells. The exposure to silicone in your body for an unruptured... more

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+1

Silicone Allergy: Rare if at all

Silicone allergy would rare if at all possible. The FDA has studied Breast implants for more than thirty years and it has not identified allergy to silicone as being a concern. By the way silicone is on coatings of some needles, IV catheters are made of silicone as are many other implants in the body, and many antacid/antigas medications taken orally have a silicone derivative as one of its components.
+1

Severe allergies and breast augmentation

Although most of us believe that silicone is an inert substance that is hydrophobic in molecular structure and safe to use, I would not advise you to undergo the procedure as there are isolated cases of inflammatory reactions arising from silicone or any type of foreign substance.  In your particular case, it seems as though you have a quality of life issue with your allergies and we would not do anything to exacerbate it.   I maintain a very conservative approach to elective... more
+1

Silicone Allergy

This is a very intriguing question, and as far as I know there are no blood tests nor skin challenge tests for Silicone Allergies. A tremendous amount of scientific energy and resources have been put into researching the interactions of silicone with the human body, especially with respect to breast implants and there silicone polymer shells. We continue to research implantable prostheses such as this and use our data to take the best care of our patients possible...thus the very important re more
+1

There has never been an antibody to silicone demonstrated in humans (no allergies)

I have never read of an antibody to silicone in humans.  An antibody is a requirement for a true allergic reaction.  The body does recognize silicone as a foreign object which is why capsules form around breast implants.  Silicone does not have an organic moiety (an antigen) that triggers the body to produce an antibody.  Silicone is useful because the foreign body response is very tame.
+1

Silicone and allergies

To answer your question regarding allergies and silicone implants, you need a little background regarding silicone. Silicone comes in different forms based on its molecular structure. This ranges from a low viscosity liquid form to a stable solid form. A common misconception is that silicone is inert. This is partially true. Solid silicone such as silicone rubber, the silicone elastomer shell of a breast implant, and silicone facial implants are inert. However, liquid silicone is intensely... more
+1

Silicone allergy

I believe that silicone is an inert substance and there is no known allergy to the product. The studies that were requested by the FDA prior to approval clearly support the evidence that silicone implants do not cause autoimmune disorders.
+1

No such thing as silicone allergy.

Hi. There is 40 years of research on silicone breast implants, and silicone does not cause allergies.  In fact, the best evidence is that silicone does not cause any diseases.
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Comments (1)

genicola 29 Jan 2013
Yes, I want saline implants, but am very scared of the silicone shell. Does anyone have any recent updates on this? Thank you!!

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