Allergies to pads

Almost every modern woman cannot imagine her life without pads (daily pads or regular ones, if she does not use tampons): today their choice is great, ranging from inexpensive regular ones to elite ultra-thin ones that absorb odor, do not leak, hold their shape, etc.…

However, despite such an abundance of choice, allergy to pads increasingly worries modern women and girls. It is very important to pay attention to the symptoms of allergy to pads in time, because if it is not treated, a woman's life can become simply unbearable.

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Causes of allergy to pads

Allergy to pads can occur in women who constantly use pads (for example, panty liners), as well as in those who use them once a month (or even less often). The reason for this is often the fragrance of the top layer of the pads, as well as the fact that any, even the most modern pad does not allow air to reach a woman's intimate areas. As a result of the lack of ventilation, the delicate intimate skin sweats and gets sweaty, and such an environment favors the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms and all kinds of infections of the genitourinary tract of a woman. This is why modern gynecologists and urologists first of all ask patients at the appointment whether they use pads, and whether their current problems (for example, cystitis, thrush, inflammation of the ureters) are related to wearing sanitary pads.

When choosing sanitary pads today, a woman is faced with the fact that along with ordinary, truly hygienic products, supermarket shelves are filled with pads with ultra-stylish perfume compositions, with dyes (for underwear of different colors), and so on. Manufacturers thus attract the attention of customers, but in pursuit of the ultra-fashionable and super-stylish, girls forget that this is still a hygienic product that should be changed every 3-4 hours.

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Main symptoms of allergy to pads

• A sensation of itching and continuous burning of the external genitalia of a woman.
• Swelling of a woman's labia and the area around it.
• Redness of intimate areas.
• Pain in the intimate area of a woman.

So, if you notice any prolonged (more than a day) redness, accompanied by itching or even swelling, immediately remove the sanitary pad and it is better to consult a gynecologist. Most likely, you are allergic to pads.

Precautions for allergies to pads

Here is a list of things you should/shouldn't do to avoid getting an allergy to pads:

• Change the pad every 3-4 hours. If you wear the pad longer than the specified time, it can lead to the development of pathogenic microorganisms on the body of the pad, and with direct contact with the intimate areas of a woman, it can cause vaginitis, cystitis, thrush, etc.
• Always wash (or disinfect with a special gel) your hands when changing a pad.
• If possible, avoid using pads with dyes. As mentioned above, dyes are chemicals that decompose when in prolonged contact with the body in a favorable warm environment, causing itching and irritation of delicate skin.
• Give your preference to pads made of natural material with natural filler.
• Do not use panty liners at night (except during periods or other discharge).
• If you absolutely need a panty liner all the time (especially at night) due to heavy discharge of an unclear nature, be sure to consult a doctor, because this is not normal.

Treatment for allergies to pads

Treatment is often carried out at home, since only serious consequences (for example, swelling of the female genitals) will require medical intervention. An allergy to pads is not a death sentence, and it is quite easy to cope with it.

First of all, it is necessary to relieve irritation and itching. For this, ordinary cool running water is the best option, reducing itching and blood flow to the problem area.

Itching can also be reduced with alcohol (vodka, for example) or any alcohol infusion (5% calendula tincture is good). We do not recommend using intimate area washes during itching and redness, as the chlorides they contain will only make the situation worse during inflammation. In this case, chamomile tincture is good for washing (you can use chamomile tea: brew 2 bags in half a liter of boiling water, let it cool and wash the reddened intimate areas). A compress with chamomile on the reddened areas also helps well (for half an hour before bed, wash with cool running water after the compress).

If you do not have time or it is not very convenient to carry out medicinal washings or compresses, you can use antihistamine ointments. Almost any ointment from the "antihistamine" class will do, the pharmacist will help you choose the right one for you.

Today, there are also medicated pads (sold only in pharmacies) that soothe itching and redness of the skin. When using medicated sanitary pads to treat allergies to pads, do not forget to change them as often as regular ones (every 3-4 hours). When changing pads, do not forget to wash with cool running water (if this is not possible, use hypoallergenic intimate hygiene wipes).

During the treatment of allergy to pads, sexual abstinence is strongly recommended. If sexual intercourse does occur, use condoms and be sure to use lubricants.

In addition, it is recommended to use externally the ointments Purelan and Solcoseryl, as well as Arnica ointment (instructions for the ointments are in the package insert; use one of the above ointments for treatment, since the active substance in them is the same).

Tampons with Bifidumbacterin

If the cause of itching is vaginal candidiasis (thrush), it is recommended to use the drug Bifidumbacterin (ask in pharmacies). Soak regular menstrual tampons in a solution of Bifidumbacterin, insert into the vagina for 2-3 hours. It is better to carry out the procedure before going to bed.

Treatment of allergy to pads with folk methods

Don't neglect grandma's recipes when treating perineal itching from allergies to pads. Here are some healing recipes:

Douching with Veronica officinalis infusion

30 grams (a tablespoon of dry Veronica officinalis (grind in a mortar) pour half a liter of boiling water and leave to infuse for two hours. After the infusion, strain the decoction. Take half a glass of the infusion orally 20 minutes before meals. Sitz baths with this infusion have also proven themselves well. The recipe is the same, only a different dosage: 6 tablespoons of herbs per 3 liters of water.

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Diet for treating perineal itching from allergies to pads

If you have an allergy to pads accompanied by itching, you need to exclude from your diet all fatty, fried, spicy and hot foods. Do not change your diet much, change the way you cook your usual dishes. Eat according to the principle: instead of fried potatoes - boiled, instead of Korean carrots - a salad of grated carrots with apple, honey and celery, at night - a glass of low-fat kefir, in the morning - cottage cheese with low-fat sour cream and weak tea. Do not abuse coffee during the period of treatment of itching from an allergy to pads. Drink more fluids, preferably water. Avoid sour juices: apple, grape, orange, currant juice.

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Tips for choosing pads

We suggest you use the advice of gynecologists when choosing pads to minimize possible allergies to pads:

• Give preference to pads with a natural cotton surface (without fragrances, dyes or patterns on the surface of the pads).
• Since the internal absorbent layer contains chemicals aimed at abundant absorption and odor absorption (which often cause allergies to pads, irritating the delicate skin of the genitals), choose pads with a natural filler (for example, wood cellulose). Information about the filler is on the back of each pack of pads, regardless of the manufacturer.
• It is preferable that the bottom adhesive layer has not one adhesive strip, but several. This way, the pad is more securely attached to your underwear, avoiding leaks and slipping during wear.
• It is better to use pads with wings, as this is an additional factor of protection against leaks. In addition, choose pads with wide wings, or double ones. Often the wings are placed on an adhesive base (which causes chafing and chafing of the skin), so choose pads with a natural coating of the wings.

It is important to select pads specifically for your type of menstruation (if you have scanty periods, you should not take pads for 5-6 drops and vice versa).