Aa
Allergic to Sanitary Pads/Tampons?!
Is this possible?
To be allergic to the sanitary pads..That is, it causes itching etc.
To be allergic to the sanitary pads..That is, it causes itching etc.
I am allergic to cotton. Yes you saw that correctly. 100% allergic to everything cotton. I didn't know that until recently when my doctors and I finally figured out that my contact dermatitis underneath all of my clothes and what showed up once a month during my periods (another type of contact derma) was infact a reaction to cotton. I don't know what else to tell you other than right now I am currently trying to figuring e out a better way to wear underwear and bras. I can't get rid of all my wardrobe since it is now all 100% cotton thanks to that recommendation of "you definitely have contact derma so you should probably switch to all cotton products. So I am just working on the parts of my body that need extra care. However when it comes to tampons and pads, I am having issues. I stopped wearing tampons about a year ago because it finally got to the point where my body was rejecting them with skin issues and inflammations. But now it feels like every month the pads are getting worse and worse. I went to period underwear and that seems to have helped, but it is still very itchy for the vulva area (as a warning). But it is much better than what I was getting from the pads. I other than creaming up thick globs before i put pads or the underwear on, I have no other advice there for you. Also a good breathable underwear that works better than cotton I found is made of Bamboo but it is insanely expensive. That's the only downside. It sucks. It really does. For down there when it comes to the pads and tampons my symptoms are: redness, inflammation, itchiness that comes and goes (can be cooled down with ice and aloe) with applications, and the symptoms increase over time. And when you get everything checked your ob and doctors say you are clean and healthy. To catch it you have to go in when you are using the applicators. Also try the organic ones first unless you are having other skin issues other places on your body. It could also be the chemicals used in the tampons and pads. I recommend the company Lola. You can organize your own box. I went to them first thinking that was the case for myself for a while. They are owned by women who wanted to know what was in their feminine hygiene products and they list it on their website as well so you know all the ingredients. See if that helps you out at all. If it does, fantastic! If it doesn't, I'm sorry. But with everything- good luck. When your next appointment comes up for your OB bring this up to him/her and let them know all your symptoms to help you get to a comfy stand point. My doctor was able to give me a back up cream THAT IS HEAVEN ON EARTH LET ME TELL YOU.
Has anyone found anything to get rid of the swelling and discomfort? I know it's tampons that's doing it but I'm so swollen right now and need relieve.
1 Comments
You should use diaper rash Cream. It may sound weird but it works really well.
I never used to have a problem with pads until i was 17. I would get soo itchy and then be all swollen because of it. I had switched to so many different brands that never worked so my mom went and bought me dark colored wash cloths just for my periods. It actually worked. I had no rashes or anything else. When i had my first baby, i used the hospital pads since i bled alot and i didnt really have an reaction but when i started my regular periods again, i continued to use the wash cloths. I just had my second baby 6 weeks ago and i again used the hospital pads. I had a reaction this time plus on top of it all i had to have an episiotomy and it made my stitches itch like crazy and look really bad. (So glad it didnt cause an infection). I started do research after research of what i could do about the pad issues. I came across a pattern for homemade pads. You can use any kind of fabric that absorbs really well and you can make them where they fit your body really well. This has made my life so much easier. Just google patterns for homemade pads and there you go. It will save on money too!! Hope this helps!
I've had the same problem. I've noticed everything I've had my period I would be really uncomfortable down there. It even caused skin to flake off so I knew something was up. I looked all over the Internet and couldn't find anything. I came to the conclusion it was pads and tampons. I bought a menstrual cup and everything was going great. I stayed at Mt friends house and worried about leaking so I put on a pad... couldn't keep it on for 20 minutes it was so uncomfortable and the next day all the symptoms were there... so I'm done with pads and tampons completely. The diva cup is a life saver for me.
I have had the worst reaction to Stayfree pads! It looks like my girly bits have been through a nuclear war. They are hot red very swollen. They blistered the blisters broke and weeded it has bled and one week in still red peeling and very sore not to mention crazy itchiness. What on earth do they use? I am not allergic to rayon as I have worn it with no reaction, but this is beyond belief!! I think the chemicals they use must be really harsh. Not sure what to do next :(
1 Comments
Yes! Exactly how I feel as well. I wonder what they use.most uncomfortable thing ever.
I always thought it was just me. Every time I use a pad, I get a rash all around my lady bits, starting from the top of my vulva and down my leg a bit, all the way back to my bum. I quit using them over ten years ago when I was 15 and my mom finally let me use tampons. Then tampons also became a problem. When I used them, my vagina would hurt by the end of my period, and I would get wicked UTIs and vaginal infections. Every. Period. By luck, I found out about menstrual cups and I haven't had an issue since; except two cycles ago when I had to use a tampon. I was moving, and I had accidentally packed my menstrual cup so I used a tampon, and had hives from head to toe. That's how I figured out I'm allergic.
thank you I am allergic to everything and I am looking for a brand of pads that I can use and its not a topic you want to just ask anyone
As odd as this sounds...best advise I got from my grandma on this issue. I use "rags". Old t-shirts or socks, wash, double rinse, dry & cut up. When I'm done I throw it away, unlike grandma who had to wash & use again. I have had no rashes or infections. It can be rolled like the OB brand tampons or folded like a pad. I promise works the best.
I'm in my 40s and have had these issues ALL my life. My grandmother said it started for her when she went from actual "rags" to "sanitary napkins". I have tried several brands over the years. The best thing I have found is odd but amazing. I never break out or get sore or rashy! We all have old shirts or socks...I wash them good, double rinse and cut them up for " rags" like they did many years ago. Sounds gross, but works great! When it is heavy I will roll up like a tampon, or otherwise like a pad. I just throw them in the trash when I'm done. Sounds weird, but sometimes the old ways are best.
I thought I was doing a good thing saving money shopping at a dollar store when I paid $2.49 for a generic brand of pads (called femme with comfort weave cover, 18 in a pack), versus paying $5 and tax on Always which there was only 14 in a pack. On the second or third day I was wearing these pads, I felt very irritated, and I wondered maybe it was a brand of soap i bought. i always did have sensitive skin but I never had a skin issue down there. The day my period was finished, I noticed the irritation was still there and there was even pain. I didn't use the soap so there was only one other way I could have been irritated, so I looked at the brand again. They make no mention of what their pads are made of, but they claim they "improved" its design...whatever that may have been. I also found a raised bump. Not cool. I NEVER had that happen to me before and i always practice good hygiene. I will never use this product again. I never had an issue wearing Always. I was just trying to save a few bucks. Now I see I'm going to have to stick to my original brand. Also, forgot to mention, that this generic brand, femme, does NOT prevent odor. I was so embarrassed a few days ago that while I was working, I actually SMELLED my period and that has never happened to me before! Of course I go and immediately change my pad for a new one and not even an hour later, I smelled my period again. I was mortified. No one noticed though thank God, but I was so humiliated and I had changed twice! I don't know how they made this product but it's certainly not safe or comfortable to wear because it makes your skin break out and it doesn't help your confidence either. If you are ever tempted to buy this product or if you see it, avoid it no matter the cost!
GladRags Cloth Pads -- washable cotton pads -- gladrags ******* -- very absorbable from liners to heavy postpartum or nighttime
or
Natracare -- throwaway cotton pads -- Soft, certified organic cotton and totally chlorine free, plastic free, biodegradable materials
Go to: Natracare *******
or
Natracare -- throwaway cotton pads -- Soft, certified organic cotton and totally chlorine free, plastic free, biodegradable materials
Go to: Natracare *******
I did some light research on hypoallergenic pads and so far ORGANYC seems to be the obvious choice. You can try it out for yourself and see if it makes the difference in your life. You can find them at amazon.com keyword hypoallergenic or type in ORGANYC.
the only stores i can really get pads and things like that from is walmart and dollar general and places like that, do you know of any kinds in walmart that dont have the rayon? ive been dealing with this since i was 16 and ive been needing pads for after i have my baby and i already know i cant deal with the rash i get every time i use them, not for as long as ive been told by the gyno that i'll probably bleed anyways...any suggestions?
I have the same thing allergic to pads and tampons you can get hypo allerginic pads and tampons at a health food store or online mine started right after I had my daughter 9 years ago had to even go to the Er they told me use a wash cloth till I could get to a health food store and I could use benedryl cream or benedryl pills to alleviate the hives
I had to go to the pharmacy a few minute ago to go get some help. I literally thought this must be crazy , everytime lately I noticed as soon as my cycle start i get itchy feels just like i have a yeast infection, but i know i dont, I thought about the pads briefly but never paid it any mind . now i sure will since my pharmacist advise me that it might be the pads that I am using , I am convince that it is the pads I bought Kotex re with a tounch of cottom and with aloe, vitamine E and a cortizone cream along with a female wash that contains aloe. I swear its the bet thing ever happen , I am free again, it an instance effect thank god I went to the pharmacy now that I know I am not alone I will be 100% cotton pad user. and ladys be mindful of the type of body was you use, I am very allergic to olay. only dove but considering Cetaphil since its fragrance free.
Good luck ladies.
Good luck ladies.
Its possible to allergic to just about anything. Most sanitary products don't bother me, but I have found a few brands that make me hurt! I'm in the process of switching to cloth reusable, and so far, it's so much more comfortable, and no more uti's! Good luck finding what works for you :)
I used tampons maybe for the first ten years of my period and use to wonder why I always itched. Come to find out. I was alergic to them. They caused me to get infections. Now I use Always and I have to worry about that.
I have this problem, too. I don't use scented pads, but I still get irritation sometimes. I use diaper rash cream to soothe the affected area.
I have urinary stress in continence so I have to wear a pad every day whether I'm on my period or not. I started with poise but found it to be irritating so I switched to serenity which was fine for awhile but now since they switched the name to tena i think they changed how they make the pad. I never thought to check the ingredients. I thought It was a yeast infection at first because I get those from time to time but when I use the over the counter medications it goes away for awhile and then comes back. i then started using diaper rash cream I figured if babies get diaper rashes from wet diapers maybe i had pad rash lol! and it works for awhile until just before my period starts and then raw soreness comes back and the intense itching and fishy smell. its embarrassing. I just want to get rid of it. does anyone know of 100% cotton incontinence pads I could buy to see if maybe that will stop the madness?
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Women's Health Community
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
Normal vaginal discharge varies in color, smell, texture and amount.
Bumps in the genital area might be STDs, but are usually not serious.
Chlamydia, an STI, often has no symptoms, but must be treated.
From skin changes to weight loss to unusual bleeding, here are 15 cancer warning signs that women tend to ignore.
