Can you be allergic to maxi pads?

[mommyoffive 8,512]

Can you be allergic to these? 

 

Or maybe sensitive? 

 

 

How did you realize if you were? 

 

 

What do you use instead? 

[FuzzyCatz 19,249]

I started having irritation in the last year.  I have had no issues since I switched to this brand at Target.  Now my DD likes this brand better to so she's stealing them.  :lol:

 

https://www.target.com/p/l-organic-cotton-regular-pads-42ct/-/A-51206630?sid=1095S&ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Health+Beauty+Shopping_Brand&adgroup=SC_Health+Beauty&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9019546&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyvXPBRD-ARIsAIeQeoHEEikhlQ8W1FQC8x21RpQobfDBmBKAhnDE8vQJto0C_mN5y9ij8-4aAqa0EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Ottakee 17,425]

I have sensitivity to some brands.  Always brand seems to be the worst for me.  I just use the Walmart brand and those seem better.

[Teachaheart 277]

Yes. I switched to a diva cup and use homemade cloth pads for backup (if I might not have access to suitable facilities on a heavy day) and very light days.

[SparklyUnicorn 70,572]

I have sensitivity to some brands.  Always brand seems to be the worst for me.  I just use the Walmart brand and those seem better.

 

Exact same here.  Always seem to be very "plasticy" (for lack of a better term).  Walmart brand isn't and is better.

[hornblower 27,809]

yup, especially the scented one.  Itchorama. 

[rjand6more 1,115]

I started having irritation in the last year.  I have had no issues since I switched to this brand at Target.  Now my DD likes this brand better to so she's stealing them.  :lol:

 

https://www.target.com/p/l-organic-cotton-regular-pads-42ct/-/A-51206630?sid=1095S&ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Health+Beauty+Shopping_Brand&adgroup=SC_Health+Beauty&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9019546&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyvXPBRD-ARIsAIeQeoHEEikhlQ8W1FQC8x21RpQobfDBmBKAhnDE8vQJto0C_mN5y9ij8-4aAqa0EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

Exactly.  I switched all of us to this brand.  I am so happy with them.  And actually, they are not that much more expensive.

[SparklyUnicorn 70,572]

yup, especially the scented one.  Itchorama. 

 

The scented ones make me want to gag.  UGH.... I accidentally bought some once.  So gross.

 

TMI I'm sure.  LOL

[mom2scouts 5,802]

I am allergic to Always brand. I switched to something else and the severe itching went away. It seems to be a common complaint with that brand.

[prairiewindmomma 33,663]

Yes. Many maxi pads still contain latex.  Fragrance, the liner topping, and the processed nature of the absorbent material can also be triggered.

 

I do well with Natracare pads, or anything made of organic cotton. 

[MercyA 21,593]

Absolutely yes. Itching and irritation. 

 

Natracare are probably my favorite brand of disposables. I've also used some drugstore brand organic cotton ones that were fine. I've used cloth pads, too.

 

I'd try to avoid ones that are very plastic-y, have the "mesh" overlay, or are scented or dyed. I have actually seen pads with colored lines on them. So weird.

Edited November 4, 2017 by MercyA

[ktgrok 78,789]

I am allergic to Always brand. I switched to something else and the severe itching went away. It seems to be a common complaint with that brand.

Yup. My midwife specifies NOT to buy that brand for post partum bleeding, it is so common. 

 

I'm a Kotex girl. Well, I normally do Kotex tampons, but if I need pads for some reason I use that brand too. 

[bolt. 16,615]

Yes, I have serious skin allergies of all kinds of products (lotion, makeup, shampoo, etc) so it's not surprising that my most sensitive skin is allergic to various products. I have to use 'all organic' disposables or cloth or diva options.

[Splash 272]

yes

 

[justasque 11,600]

Using cloth pads for light days can minimize exposure to irritants and save a bit of cash as well.  If you sew, they are very easy to make at home.
Here's my free pattern.
 

[Jean in Newcastle 176,728]

Another person who has had trouble with Always brand. 

[gardenmom5 35,851]

there are chemicals  in them - you can certainly be sensitive.  I'd try a different brand.

[busybuzzybee 8]

Wow, I didn't realize how common this is! I CANNOT use Always brand, either. I can use Kotex. But much prefer cloth and a cup now.

 

Edit: I can use Stay Free, not Kotex pads. Got the brands mixed up!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited November 5, 2017 by busybuzzybee

[sassenach 13,695]

I’m allergic to Always, but stayfree is fine.

[Audrey 18,803]

Can you be allergic to these? 

 

Or maybe sensitive? 

 

 

How did you realize if you were? 

 

 

What do you use instead? 

 

I use NatraCare products.  I had always found pads uncomfortable and tampons unbearable.  At some point in my 20's, I purchased some all cotton/organic pads out of desperation.  It was all I could find immediately and needed them.  To my surprise they weren't itchy/uncomfortable. I didn't know any different, so until I tried something that didn't irritate me, I just assumed being so uncomfortable was normal.   I kept using that brand and some other organic cotton brands after that, eventually settling into the NatraCare brand as they're easy for me to find here. 

[WoolC 687]

Yes, I switched to cloth and cup years ago.

[Petrichor 1,187]

I've also switched to cloth and a cup and been much happier.

[AnnE-girl 2,382]

Yes. I thought I had some sort of infection towards the end of postpartum bleeding with my second. It was just a reaction to something in the pads I was using.

[craftymama 342]

OMG!  Thanks for posting this.  I have been having issues this month...issues I have had before but not for a long time.  I just switched brands last month.  I hadn't even made the connection because I try not to change brands of things like this.  I cannot thank you enough for bring this to my attention today.  

[chocolatechip 1,859]

It sounds like an exaggeration, but when I say cup and cloth changed my life, it's 100% the truth. 

[Butter 25,840]

I'm allergic to my own sweat so disposable pads caused a nasty rash for me because the plasticyness held sweat against my skin.  I used cloth and then a cup and then coughed out my uterus and had to have a hysterectomy two years ago so I don't have to worry about it anymore.

[creekland 41,103]

I’m allergic to Always, but stayfree is fine.

 

Ditto for me.  I've tried Walmart's too, but theirs don't seem to "work" as well as Stayfree, so I'm pretty committed now and no longer even compare.  I just get what I want.  I absolutely can not use Always.

[Jyhwkmama 1,838]

Another Always hater here.

[FuzzyCatz 19,249]

Always were an issue for me too.  In solidarity - :lol:

[TeenagerMom 2,077]

We're the opposite here. DD has had severe allergic reactions to everything BUT Always.  Like severe.  Like looks like someone scorched her with an iron severe.

 

We use cloth here now though but keep Always for backups in the car, etc.

[freesia 8,138]

Another person who has had trouble with Always brand.

Me, too.

 

And I can't use any with wings

[bensonduck 340]

I also like Natracare and had some issues with Always. Oddly enough since I stopped using Always my cramps seem to be lessened too. It could be al in my head though, who knows :shrug:

[lmrich 3,731]

Yes and some tampons. 

 

Like we need something to make it worse!

[happi duck 15,693]

We use always with no problems which is shocking because DD and I react to lots of things.

 

Are y'all just talking about skin irritation?

[freesia 8,138]

Skin irritation but welts, too and it comes on super fast and gets bad quickly.

[creekland 41,103]

For me it's a bit of itching and irritation.  I considered that normal - until I tried another brand.  Then I tossed the remainder of my Always and experimented with other brands, finally settling on Stayfree.  I had no idea Always reacted with so many people until this thread!  Now I wonder what's in them that's different.

[mathnerd 6,178]

I am allergic to Always brand. I switched to something else and the severe itching went away. It seems to be a common complaint with that brand.

Really? That explains a lot of things. So, thank you! I was wondering if I was developing infections etc because I seemed to have developed a problem with this brand. I will switch to Kotex for a while. And yes, to the poster who called them "plasticy". 

[mathnerd 6,178]

Skin irritation but welts, too and it comes on super fast and gets bad quickly.

I seem to learn so many things from this board. Knowing this really helps me a lot as I have silently suffered for a few months now not knowing what my issues are.

[creekland 41,103]

I seem to learn so many things from this board. Knowing this really helps me a lot as I have silently suffered for a few months now not knowing what my issues are.

 

I learned to try a few brands to see what worked the best for me.  I highly suggest it.  Like you, I thought it was all normal for quite some time.  It's not.

[Carrie12345 20,568]

I can use just about any brand, and prefer Always. But, omg, if I accidentally pick up scented (of any brand, pads or tampons... and, ew on sticking perfume up there, btw,) forget about it! 

To be fair, synthetic fragrances make me want to barf, in general.  I have to take shallow breaths walking down cleaning and hygiene aisles.

[mommyoffive 8,512]

I will have to try some other brands now.  It is Always that I have been using but to me it seems like they are bugging me. 

 

I thought it was in my mind.  Thanks for making me feel like I am not crazy. 

Edited November 5, 2017 by mommyoffive

[SparklyUnicorn 70,572]

We use always with no problems which is shocking because DD and I react to lots of things.

 

Are y'all just talking about skin irritation?

 

Yep

[ILiveInFlipFlops 8,050]

How funny! I finally realized a few months ago that Always give me trouble as well. I strongly prefer Kotex or Stayfree.

 

I love love love my Diva Cup, but my periods have changed. Now I have three days that are so fast and furious that I don't trust cloth pads as a backup anymore and need to rely on at least a few disposable pads each month, especially at night. Blech.

[ILiveInFlipFlops 8,050]

Skin irritation but welts, too and it comes on super fast and gets bad quickly.

 

Yes! Ugh, so bad.

[Seeking Squirrels 1,530]

I used Always for years and just dealt with how itchy and uncomfortable I was, assuming it was just a package deal. Then I tried a different one and didn't have that. I wish I had switched sooner!

 

It's interesting how many are posting problems with Always specifically.

[creekland 41,103]

It's interesting how many are posting problems with Always specifically.

 

I agree. I still want to know what's in them that makes them affect so many of us so much.

[ILiveInFlipFlops 8,050]

I agree. I still want to know what's in them that makes them affect so many of us so much.

 

I always chalked it up to them being plasticky and less breathable, but someone above pointed out that they'll most likely contain some latex too, which is a problem for lots of people.

[creekland 41,103]

I always chalked it up to them being plasticky and less breathable, but someone above pointed out that they'll most likely contain some latex too, which is a problem for lots of people.

 

I'm not allergic to latex, but I can see where that would affect others.  I wonder if it's the less breathable part - allowing easier growth of itchy bugs or yeast.

[eternalsummer 8,998]

Might be the bleach

[ILiveInFlipFlops 8,050]

Might be the bleach

 

I've thought about that, but Always is the only kind that bothers me. I've never had problems with other regular pads or even tampons. I lean toward the reduced airflow for myself, based on the kind of reaction I have.