Allergy to pads? Is that even possible?

While writing the instructions for inserting tampons (you can find the full text here ), I recalled my early days in Portugal, when I found out that all the commonly available pads were covered with a special synthetic mesh that caused an allergic reaction in me.

I remember that at first I had a hard time connecting the dots. I had been using pads from many popular and less popular brands for years - until now I had never found myself in a similar situation. Allergy to pads? Somehow it didn't occur to me. I wondered if it was a matter of the local water or the detergents my boyfriend and I use to wash our underwear. Or maybe it was just a new symptom of menstruation to add to the collection?

My basic mistake was to continue using a product (a pad) that my body clearly didn't like for a few more days. Of course, I got annoying itching and painful rashes, which I absolutely do not recommend, but also - in the process - I gained quite a bit of knowledge about allergens used in the production of sanitary products for menstruating people.

What sensitizes us?

It is not only pads that can often cause allergies in intimate areas, but also sanitary pads and tampons. Allergens can be just as well fragrances that are designed to mask the natural smell of blood, as well as dyes used for completely unnecessary - admit it yourself - colorful prints. The glue with which we attach the pad/liner to underwear and thus do not allow it to move can also turn out to be the culprit. You can also be allergic to substances used to soften the agents used and moisture absorbers, as well as chlorine derivatives used for bleaching.

To sum up - when choosing intimate hygiene products, it is not worth being guided by aesthetic considerations. It is better to focus on ecological solutions, and thus - your own health.

So what products should you use?

With the general increase in interest in ecology, the demand for products designed with the environment and the health of the users themselves in mind is naturally also growing. Yes, it is true, their prices are usually slightly higher than those offered by, for example, popular discount stores' own brands. We have to decide in our hearts whether our safety and comfort are worth those few extra złoty each month.

Produced in harmony with nature, the products are not perfumed or coloured. Instead, they are delicate and naturally soft (without using chemical "improvers" for this purpose), nothing rubs, nothing irritates. Even on hot days, we do not risk a chafed bottom.

When choosing the right product in a drugstore or online store, spend a few extra minutes reading the product description. Unfortunately, manufacturers sometimes avoid transparency - it's easy to guess why. If a given product does not contain or contains strangely unclear information about the composition, this fact alone should arouse your suspicions. If the manufacturer is fair to you and Mother Earth, believe me, they will want you to know about it - after all, this is excellent advertising for them. Pay special attention to keywords such as: "organic", "certified", "100% cotton", "disinfected with hydrogen peroxide", "allergen-free" and so on.

For example, Your KAYA pads are made of 100% organic cotton with the GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certificate - a leading global standard that only approves products made from environmentally friendly raw materials (including us), while their back is made of Mater Bi, a fully biodegradable biopolymer produced from corn starch.

Sounds better than “soft as cotton” or “soothing with the scent of chamomile”, don't you think?

Allergy symptoms

We sometimes confuse an allergy with a sexually transmitted disease, infection or vaginal yeast infection , because the main symptom - persistent itching - occurs in each of these cases.

It's true - it itches, scratches, stings. The skin is red and irritated, swelling and oedema of the mucous membrane may occur. A rash in the intimate areas is characteristic of this type of allergy - its occurrence is not essential, however (you can be allergic and not have a rash). Often, a very unpleasant sensation is felt, as if the skin on the pussy was "pulled".

During the day you are able to control yourself, but at night your hands unconsciously go to the hot spot. The burning is so unbearable! You start scratching, leaving marks from your nails (so-called excoriations). You are tearing the epidermis and irritating the already poor mucous membrane even more, thus leaving a clear path for bacteria and allergens.

Therefore, if you were to remember only one sentence from this entire text, please let it be: “I will not ignore allergies.” You can obtain the rest of the information relatively quickly by using a web browser or consulting a doctor. Identifying the problem and reacting immediately is key here.

How to get rid of the effects?

Have you noticed an allergy to tampons? Or maybe an allergy to pads or panty liners? As soon as you notice any disturbing symptoms...

• ...get rid of the perpetrator of all this confusion as soon as possible.
• Then gently wash your vagina with lukewarm water and products designed for allergy sufferers. It would be great if you could find a product certified by a reliable organization, then you can be sure that the inscription "hypoallergenic" is not just a cheap marketing ploy. Try to be gentle with yourself, scrubbing the areas affected by allergies will only irritate them further.
• To reduce allergy symptoms, calcium supplementation is recommended - either in oral or soluble tablets, whichever is more convenient for you - which will seal the vascular endothelial cells and thus reduce swelling.
• You can also use an ointment for allergies in intimate areas. It is intended to alleviate itching.
• In a situation where after a longer period of time the symptoms still do not subside (2-3 days), a visit to a gynecologist is recommended. You need to check whether it is just an allergy or maybe other genital ailments. If you are diagnosed with an allergy, which may have already turned into an infection, there is a high probability that treatment will require the use of prescription drugs. I managed to avoid this, but we repeat, like a mantra: follow the recommendations of the doctor!

Prevention

I know I've mentioned this before, but I'll say it again to emphasize the importance of this: it's important not to ignore the possibility of an allergy, as it can develop into a genital tract infection relatively quickly.

Learn from my mistakes and first get rid of even the potential culprit - the product that may cause your allergy. Don't like waste? You can give the box with unused funds to a friend or leave it in one of the public toilets - there is a high probability that you will save someone's day this way.

Limit to an absolute minimum any means that could come into contact with your sensitive pussy - skip the colored gel, disinfectant wipes, using a sponge or washcloth. Think about whether you really need an intimate hygiene fluid, and if so - choose a natural fluid (not just in name), with the right pH (such as Your KAYA intimate hygiene fluid ). Long bubble baths are not recommended, instead it is better to opt for a short, warm shower (it is good to remember that the water should not be too hot or too cold).

Choose comfortable underwear made of natural material (e.g. cotton) and in a natural colour - this way you will reduce the risk of an allergy to artificial dye. Fancy thongs, synthetic lace, bright polyester - such "miracles" are better left for a special occasion (or best to skip them altogether - because why on a special day should you wear plastic?). Consider sleeping without panties between periods - it is not without reason that many gynecologists recommend this "airing" method, after all, your pussy also needs to breathe a little. During menstruation, your intimate areas become a perfect environment for bacteria to grow - after all, it is dark, humid, warm, with very limited access to air.

You can read more about the benefits of sleeping without panties and naked in our article here .

If your skin is particularly sensitive and prone to allergies, you can occasionally use preventive medicines that support bacterial flora and protect against infections. Many of them are available in pharmacies without a prescription, but - as the saying goes - it is worth consulting a doctor or pharmacist beforehand.