Geox Shoes - Poss Latex Material with Allergic Reaction

Maddang

Has anyone had a reaction to wearing Geox shoes? I wore new pairs with bare feet this summer and wondered why I kept getting large red welts and latterly blisters the same as I get when I've inadvertently worn something with latex. I'm unable to wear both pairs as they both cause the same reaction.

Geox customer services sent a pair of shoes from the same batch to an external lab and attached a report of the test run to European Regulation which I don't understand but had a great number of properties which passed testing. They unhelpfully responded to my complaint stating:-

Geox complies with EC regulations restricting the use of hazardous substances and preparations and with European product safety standards. Geox footwear therefore meets the ecological and toxicological specifications required by these standards.

Footwear is also subjected to testing to ensure that general quality standards and specific Geox client requirements are met. However, Geox cannot guarantee that its products are suitable for persons with certain allergies and/or conditions: customers should therefore conduct any necessary testing under their own responsibility.

Thanks muchly!

[Deleted User]

Basically its saying it doesn't contain any officially known hazardous materials but may contain something that people who get allergies are allergic to (like latex). So yes, up yours basically.

You could send photos of your feet and ask for a refund, if you haven't already but it may be too late if you've been wearing them all summer.

If I knew I had an allergy, and was getting the same reaction, I'd have written to them a lot sooner. Or wear them with socks.

wealdroam

Maddang wrote: »

Has anyone had a reaction to wearing Geox shoes? I wore new pairs with bare feet this summer and wondered why I kept getting large red welts and latterly blisters the same as I get when I've inadvertently worn something with latex. I'm unable to wear both pairs as they both cause the same reaction.

Geox customer services sent a pair of shoes from the same batch to an external lab and attached a report of the test run to European Regulation which I don't understand but had a great number of properties which passed testing. They unhelpfully responded to my complaint stating:-

Geox complies with EC regulations restricting the use of hazardous substances and preparations and with European product safety standards. Geox footwear therefore meets the ecological and toxicological specifications required by these standards.

Footwear is also subjected to testing to ensure that general quality standards and specific Geox client requirements are met. However, Geox cannot guarantee that its products are suitable for persons with certain allergies and/or conditions: customers should therefore conduct any necessary testing under their own responsibility.

Thanks muchly!

Why do you think their response was unhelpful?

Their investigation may not have come to the conclusion your were hoping for, but it really is wrong to suggest that them reporting on their findings is unhelpful.

They can find nothing wrong with their shoes so you must look elsewhere for the cause of your complaint.

[Deleted User]

Maddang wrote: »

They unhelpfully responded to my complaint

I can't see they were "unhelpful"at all.
They have simply rejected your complaint because they have shown it has no foundation.

I'm not sure why you fail to understand that the independent test report shows that their manufacturing processes and materials used conform to EU safety standards.

If the shoes cause you discomfort without socks then wear them with socks.

The manufacturer is not responsible for your "allergy", so it's not responsible for your adverse reaction to their shoes unless they specifically advertised them as suitable for people with your "condition". Did they ever make such a claim?

The bottom line is that you should have discontinued wearing them at the outset.

Have you really only sought "restitution" after wearing both pairs all Summer???

deannatrois wrote: »

You could send photos of your feet and ask for a refund,

I'm pretty certain the company sent the shoes for an independent report at the behest of the OP complaining and demanding a refund and/or compensation, so making a repeat complaint will achieve nothing.

Hintza

Another one of those threads that just makes me shake my head!

photome

OP what did you want them to do

unholyangel

I was about to give OP pretty much same response, no rights unless faulty/misdescribed/otherwise dont conform to contract, but given they make this claim on their website....OP might actually be in with a chance:

Geox is the first footwear brand to be awarded with TÜV SÜD FOOTWEAR certification, a mark of quality and product safety that ensures.
CONSUMER HEALTH
Tests for toxic substances.
RESPECT OF THE ENVIRONMEN
Tests for pollutants and on the environmental impact of the manufacturing processes.
CHILD SAFETY
Tests for substances that are damaging to children’s health.
COMFORT OF PRODUCT
Tests for irritants and/or allergens.
RESPECT THE FOOD CHAIN
Tests for potential contaminants which are toxic if eaten.

As I understand it, latex allergies are quite common. Whether they'd be required to label them as such (like factories who produce nut products have to put nut warnings on all their products) I'm not sure as with nuts, it can be fatal but not sure if a latex allergy can be.

hollydays

If it was me , I'd ask for a list of what chemicals it contains, and ask to be referred to a dermatologist. Presumably at one time you've had advice from One?

Any suggestion there's something else unknown you are allergic or sensative to is more an urgent matter for doctor , than getting your money back.

There's also this Facebook page " latex allergy allergy awareness site"you could liase with
It would be helpful to others who have latex allergy, or contact dermatitis , if you put a link to the item and the model Of the shoe.

hollydays

Most interestingly: this on shoe contact dermatitis
https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/shoe-contact-dermatitis

custardy

unholyangel wrote: »

I was about to give OP pretty much same response, no rights unless faulty/misdescribed/otherwise dont conform to contract, but given they make this claim on their website....OP might actually be in with a chance:


As I understand it, latex allergies are quite common. Whether they'd be required to label them as such (like factories who produce nut products have to put nut warnings on all their products) I'm not sure as with nuts, it can be fatal but not sure if a latex allergy can be.

Any allergy can be fatal. Its the reaction,not the trigger.

unholyangel

custardy wrote: »

Any allergy can be fatal. Its the reaction,not the trigger.

I'm a bit dubious on that claim but thanks for the response. Yet to hear of anyone dying of hayfever!