Dear Sasha: I had a girlfriend who used to buy large jars of Vaseline, which she used to keep her skin smooth and shiny. One weekend, while fooling around, we got into the jar, using it on my cock as lubrication during our various sexual endeavours. It felt good, and there was no pain. The next day, however, I awoke with a really swollen foreskin. It was quite funny actually because the swollen shape it took reminded me of a cinnamon bun. At first I was worried, but by the afternoon the swelling went down. Since then I've experimented with Vaseline and sometimes use it to swell my penis (just a bit) for show. It is possible I have a rare allergy to Vaseline that causes my dick to swell depending on how much is used and for how long? If so, am I taking any serious risks by using the stuff too much? » Always Curious

Dear Always,
Vaseline, first off, is not a suitable lubricant to use for vaginal penetration. Because it's not water-soluble, it can stick in the folds and crevices of a vagina, bacteria and other items can stick to it, and the next thing you know, your girlfriend's got some whoop-ass vaginal infection. Try something water-soluble for that business, preferably with no glycerin. My personal favourite is Slippery Stuff - I haven't had a sex-related yeast infection since I started using it.

Your foreskin is another matter altogether. I will confess I had a good laugh when I read this letter. Most people I know, if they discovered a product caused their genitals to swell like a pastry, would not be inclined to continue applying it to stun and amaze their lovers. As my friend Paul said, "You have one penis. Don't you kind of want it to last?"

Judging by the reaction I got from a health-care worker in dermatology, a Vaseline allergy is rare. In fact, from what I understand via this gruff, unamused, and obviously overworked nurse, white Vaseline is used in dermal allergy testing as a base.

A product-development chemist for Unilever, the company that makes Vaseline, also confirmed the rarity. He looked through their consumer complaint data and didn't find one case that caused an allergic reaction, but says he cannot speak for cheaper dollar store brands, which "might not be properly purified."

What I found online was entirely different. There are many pages dedicated to petroleum-based allergies, ones that include the brand name Vaseline. Dermal allergies from products can be localized, which is possibly why your hands did not swell up but your foreskin did. Roger Lewis, a chartered herbalist said, "It's the nature of the tissue being thinner and more sensitive and therefore more susceptible to transdermal absorption." Lewis also said that petroleum allergies are not that rare. In fact, a product made by Avalon Natural Products called Un-Petroleum Jelly, which has the same consistency but contains plant oils and natural waxes and is petroleum free, is available in health-food stores and through the Web site www.avalonnaturalproducts.com.

Regardless of whether this is potentially harmful or not, your penis is trying to tell you something: it doesn't like Vaseline. I'd listen to it if I were you.

Dear Sasha: Are there any opportunities for men in the massage industry? I've seen ads that indicate the need for assistants, bookers etc. I took a course in massage - regular massage with a certificate. I'm interested in doing different, interesting things. I'm not looking to "get lucky." I am just interested in doing "different things." » Dave

Dear Dave,
I called a few parlours on your behalf to inquire about other positions in this branch of the sex trade, since I wasn't quite sure what you meant by "different things." Although some parlours are now servicing a male and female clientele, their providers are strictly female. You may find work as a parlour manager, but most posts, including receptionists and assistants - often one and the same - are given to women.

While I have met and interviewed some men who have moderately successful businesses massaging women to release, they multitask by providing a range of services - shaving, for example - and a few of them have other jobs to supplement their income.

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