[Chrysalis]

Well maybe this is a weird topic, but I was just wondering if it is possible to be allergic to pantyliners or pads? I wear my divacup normally but i've been wearing pantiliners a lot this week to go with it, and i'm now noticing a sore redness down there. I'm certain it's not a yeast infection, and I looked up std pictures and well it doesn't appear that i have any bumps or anything too unusual looking. it's really painful though!! I've noticed that before i switched to the divacup, regular pads would make me irritated down there. . . anyway i'm just wondering if anyone has found the same thing? unless i'm imagining it . .

 

[isowish]

I got that. I'm pretty sure it wasn't an allergy, I just had really sensitive skin where they rubbed, like nappy rash (ewww).

 

[karenlovessnow]

Actually, it is possible...maybe not exactly an allergy, but I have contact dermitis and when I was wearing pads, I definitely had an irritation from them. I went to my gyno and she was able to prescribe an ointment that was helpful, but unfortunately, as long as I continued to wear the pads, it was an ongoing battle. Luckily, I don't have that problem anymore! Getting old has it's benefits!

 

[Iria]

My mom can't wear certain brands of pads because she gets horrible irritation from them. She can only wear softer, more breathable brands (I think Kotex works for her, but Always causes a reaction).

I get problems like that around my period, but it usually happens before I even start bleeding, so I know it's a symptom of PMS and not a reaction to my pads.

 

[queenfluff]

Are you wearing organic cotton pads? I use tampons now but I know that if my 'parts' can't breathe down there, I tend to get a rash. Wearing pads sometimes you don't get enough air 'down there'.

 

[veggielove]

Use organic pads. I had the same problem develop last year, I had no idea what it could be - doc thought it could be a fungal infection, because like you no rash, just redness. I noticed it always started around my period, and one day I wasn't sure when I was going to start so I put on a pad early just in case - low and behold - it started up again.

I switched to organic pantiliners and pads and tampons, and now I'm fine. I shudder to think of what chemicals they are putting in the non-organic ones!!!!!!!! That's why my baby is getting cloth diapers, not disposables!

 

[eggplant]

Yeah, I was going to also ask if you used organic unscented ones. Mainstream brands often have chemicals and scents in them that could cause an allergic reaction.

 

[Thalia]

I use unscented, Target version of always. Ones without the plastic lining can cause problems for me, too.

 

[rabid_child]

I used to get yeast infections, or something similarly itchy, from using certain pads. It was the lack of air circulation I think. Always, I've found, are the WORST for this! The plastic coating and the gel stuff inside or whatever just traps moisture. I use a keeper now, and super thin pantiliners that don't seem to bother me, but at the time I switched to the Natracare organic cotton pads/pantiliners, and they didn't irritate me at all. That whole experience sold me on cloth diapering when I have kids though. I can't imagine having that plasticy feeling on my entire panty region for two years!!

 

[Ludi]

Yep, very possible to be allergic to any of the various materials in the pads, esp any of the scented or deoderant kinds.

I finally got Luna pads and I'm so glad I did, they were entirely worth the initial expense.

 

[thebelovedtree]

I had a friend who got such a severe rash from a specific brand of pad that she had to be prescribed pain killers to pee, or sit down. Originally the Dr. tested her for herpes because it was so bad (it was negative and she hadn't be sexually active at that time). It took her quite some time to figure out what was causing it because she borrowed them from a friend once every few months. I think she broke out like 4 times before she figured out not to borrow pads from that person, lol.

 

[veggielove]

I also found the Always pads to be the worst offenders! What are they THINKING??? I always used unscented pads, but there's still something in them that makes them evil....

All about the organic pantiliners now! Wooo hoooo ;-)

 

[IamJen]

If you switch pads and are still having trouble, you might try sprinkling a bit of cornstarch baby powder on your pads/panties. (never use talc

) It helps to combat moisture and works well for some.

 

[missbelgium]

Same for me, I have an oversensitive urinary tract so there are brands I can't use (and certainly none of the brands that contain perfume of some kind !). They need to be cotton-based for me and not many pantyliners have that composition anymore. I do well with Carefree (that's a brand by Johnson & Johnson). Might be different in the States though.