Sanitary Pad Allergy – Causes, Symptoms and Solutions

Some women are allergic to certain sanitary pads. In this post, we’ll discuss some of the possible causes of these allergies, and some of the symptoms you should look out for. We’ll then explore some things you can try if you think you might have a sanitary pad allergy.

What Causes Sanitary Pad Allergies?

Most of the time, a sanitary pad allergy is a case of contact dermatitis. That basically means that your skin’s come into contact with something irritating.

Skin Irritants in Sanitary Pads

It could be any number of things, but it’s most likely to be polyolefins, zinc oxide and petrolatum in the pad’s top sheet – that is, the part of the pad that comes into direct contact with your skin.

Other culprits might be the cellulose used in the pad’s absorbent core, the adhesives used to attach the pad to your underwear, or even the chemicals used in the pad’s fragrance.

Another thing to remember: If you wear your pad all day, it’s going to spend a lot of time rubbing against your skin. So your irritation might just be the result of friction. Or, it might be a combination of moisture and heat leading to a build-up of bacteria that’s causing your irritation.

What Are The Symptoms of a Sanitary Pad Allergy?

Whatever the cause of your sanitary pad allergy, the symptoms are usually the same: Irritated skin, sometimes with redness and swelling, and sometimes with a rash.

If you treat these symptoms as soon as you see them, then they should go away after a few days. But if you don’t treat your symptoms, they could develop into something more serious. What’s more, the longer your symptoms persist, the longer they’ll take to treat.

You’ll usually be able to tell if you have a sanitary pad allergy, as the symptoms are deeply irritating and impossible to ignore. In short, your period products shouldn’t cause you any unnecessary stress or discomfort. But if you find that they do, then it might be time to find an alternative.

How to Treat a Sanitary Pad Allergy

If you’re getting nasty rashes or other symptoms from your sanitary pad, there are a few things you can try:

• Change your pad more often, to prevent the build-up of moisture, heat, and bacteria.
• Wear looser-fitting underwear to reduce friction.
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about over-the-counter creams to reduce irritation.
• Consider switching brands – try unscented pads, or all-cotton pads that don’t contain any dyes.
• Consider reusable pads – which don’t contain the chemicals used in disposable pads.

You might also want to try a different kind of period care product. Read our full guide to the pros and cons of some of the most popular period care products.

Comfortable Reusable Pads From The Conscious Parent

If you’re struggling with a sanitary pad allergy, consider switching to our skin-friendly reusable pads.

We make our reusable sanitary pads from only the softest and most natural of materials. We don’t use any potentially harmful chemicals, or any adhesive, or any artificial fragrances. That means our pads are kind to your body while remaining reliably absorbent.

Our reusable sanitary pads can be a lot more affordable than disposable pads too. Buy one pack and, so long as you take care of them properly, you’ll never have to buy any more ever again.

Kind to your skin and kind to your planet, our reusable pads will help make your period a lot less irritating and a lot more comfortable. Browse our complete range of reusable sanitary pads.