Dear Sasha: I'm a house mom for a gentlemen's club in Columbus, Ohio. Our girls are required by state law to wear latex on their nipples. I have been purchasing liquid latex in volume from the Mehron Corporation; however, many of our girls are experiencing an allergic reaction to it. One of the girls found a small bottle of latex from Pastie Company and she says that she is not having an allergic reaction to that product. Is it possible to purchase this liquid latex in16-ounce or larger quantities? Also does it come in flesh tones or just the clear-drying kind? I sure hope you can help! » Marge, Desperate House Mom in Columbus

Dear Marge,
Now readers, if you all dashed out and picked up Lily Burana's book Strip City like I suggested last week, you'd know what a house mom is, but if not, I'll elaborate. Many stripclubs in the States employ a woman who is basically in charge of the dressing room. Among other things, she sells costumes and provides latex solution to cover mutinous nipples. As Burana writes, "Local municipalities are always forming ad hoc committees to dicker over what constitutes a buttock or a breast or a nipple, and how much - down to a fraction of an inch - a dancer can show."

Marge, the reason one of your girls may not have had a reaction to the Pastie Company latex is that it may be cosmetic grade latex, which, says Steve at FX Supply (www.fxsupply.com), is easier on sensitive skin. FX Supply carries cosmetic grade latex in larger quantities. My friend Michael McMaster, who designs all kinds of gruesome things for film and stage, offers this opinion: "If her girls have a latex allergy, she shouldn't chance it, since there's a possibility of one of them going into sudden anaphylactic shock, even if her reaction was mild before." I know part of your job sometimes involves lending an ear and offering advice, but I doubt if you want to extend that to adrenaline shots. We discussed Pros Aide, a prosthetic adhesive as a possible option, if they are indeed allergic to latex and not just sensitive to the particular product you've been using. You can order Pros Aide from FX Warehouse in large quantities here: www.fxwarehouseinc.com. "To make Pros Aide thicker and flesh toned," says Michael, "it can be tinted with acrylic artists' paints in equal proportions, and thickened with cornstarch."

Steve says that some Pros Aide contains latex and some contains polymer, a product he tells me is derived from a plant, but synthesized (variations of it are in waterproof mascara and sunblock, as well as hairspray). You'll want to look out for the polymer-based Pros Aide. Steve also suggests, as a colorant, dry cosmetic pigment, which is available at FX Supply and comes in flesh tones.

Dear Sasha: Nine months ago I gave birth to a nine-pound baby boy. Along with our bundle of joy came my worst fear: hemorrhoids. I enjoyed anal play (and still would!), until the veins in my ass started to hang out. I've tried every alternative remedy for hemorrhoids I can think of, only to provide little temporary relief. Any suggestions? » Pain in the Butt

Dear Pain,
I e-mailed Tristan Taormino (author of The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women, and director of the film series). She replied: "Anal sex does not cause hemorrhoids, however, if you already have them, I advise that you should not have any anal play during a flare-up. Once the hemorrhoids have gone down or gone completely away, it's safe to play. If she hasn't been able to treat her hemorrhoids herself with natural or over-the-counter medications, then it's time for her to see a doctor, because her hemorrhoids may require more aggressive treatment. Only her doctor can assess the situation." If Tristan says it's time to see a doctor about your ass, you know it's time to see a doctor about your ass. She also suggested one of my recommended readings: Dr. Jack Morin's Anal Pleasure & Health. Dr. Morin offers a seven step self-healing process, but also says if things don't improve, you should see a physician.

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