Summer is knocking at our doors, temperatures will be soaring high, and you are all set to buy light and cool stuff to stay fresh & calm. But what about your menstrual health? Many of us suffer from pad rashes during summer. You are wondering whether you haven’t suffered from this dilemma; it is true for many women.
In summer, our bodies sweat a lot, and similar goes for the vaginal area. It may even lead to itching & irritation. It just takes a few hours for irritated skin to develop a period rash. Young girls having menstruation for the first time can better tell how much trouble a pad rash can bring.
What is a pad rash?
A pad rash, also called contact dermatitis, is a skin rash or irritation resulting from prolonged contact with your skin with a sanitary pad. This type of rash is usually red, bumpy, and itchy and may appear on the skin surrounding your vaginal area.
What are the monsters causing pad rash?
Before having a look at the causes of pad rashes, it is necessary that you first understand the composition of sanitary pads.
Composition
Sanitary pads are made from multiple layers of different materials. Each layer contains potential ingredients that may irritate your skin. Some of the common components in period pads include:
- The back sheet of the pad is made from a plastic compound called polyolefins to stop menstrual blood from leaking. This plastic compound is also used in making ropes, straws, & clothes.
- Between the top sheet & back sheet of the pad, an absorbent core made from wood cellulose and absorbent foam exits, sometimes also containing gel-based absorbents.
- The top sheet of the pad mostly comes in contact with your valva’s skin. This is because it includes components like zinc oxide, polyolefins, and petroleum. As a result, it may chaff your skin, causing rash due to constant friction, especially when experiencing the menstrual cycle, as our skin is most sensitive due to bleeding.
Causes
In summer, when the thermometer goes straight up, a lot of heat causes sweat or friction that results in pad rash. Most of the pads available in the market are made from synthetic materials that include lethal chemicals like plastic & bleach. When your menstrual blood mixes with these materials, the pad gets hotter & stickier, making it the perfect site for a rash to form.
Some of the causes include:
Allergic reaction: Different kinds of adhesives are used on the back sheet of the pad that helps the pad to stick to the underwear. Most of them are prepared from FDA-approved glues. A study reported 0.7% of skin rashes were developed as an allergic reaction to adhesives used in sanitary pads.
Some manufacturers add a fragrance layer below the absorbent core that comes in contact with the vulva’s skin and often develops rash & allergic reactions.
Some women are allergic to adhesive & fragrant materials used in pads. So, it’s better to read the buyer’s guide before buying one.
Heat & Moisture: Just like your unchanged baby develops a diaper rash, so too makes your pad mess with your skin and turn into a nasty rash. The purpose of the pad is to collect and trap menstrual fluid. However, unfrequent pad changes result in a lot of heat and moisture that irritate the vulva’s skin in some women and cause a rash.
Yeast or bacterial infection: Infrequent pad changes trap moisture and provide a warm environment that helps bacteria of yeast infection to flourish. The symptoms may include swelling, itching & abnormal vaginal discharge. According to a study conducted by Torondel, poor pad hygiene may result in the following:
- Bacterial vaginosis
- Yeast infection
- Infections in the lower reproductive tract
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if a woman suffers from vaginal yeast infection, she might have the following symptoms.
- Itchiness in vagina
- Pain during intercourse & urination
- Abdominal discharge (which can be harder to see during periods)
Chafing: Unfrequent sanitary pad changes often result in chafing, causing skin irritation.
Game changer: How can I tell it’s a pad rash?
Usually, a rash on a pad disappears as soon as you stop wearing it, but if the rash persists for longer, it is a matter of concern. You must visit a doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms:
- Fissures
- Painful blisters
- Chills
- Fever
- Flu-like symptoms
- Rash expanding outside the vulvar area
You may find a pad rash on your thighs, buttocks, or vulva.
Treatment
- Try different brands of pads and smaller ones to reduce friction that is related to rashes.
- Apply OTC hydrocortisone cream if your outer vulva gets affected by a rash.
- Purchase a sitz bath from drugstores and use it to relieve irritated areas. Sitz bath is a unique bath that sits over the toilet seat. Fill it with warm water and sit in it for 7 to 10 minutes, then pat the vagina dry,
Prevention of Pad Rashes in the Future
- Avoid using toilet paper if your vulva’s skin develops pad rash. Instead, wash it using the bidet, as the stream of water from the bidet removes bacteria or yeast causing irritation, itching, or swelling.
- Instead of synthetic pads, use organic cotton pads, as they are hypoallergenic, breathable, and contain zero synthetics, plastic, or bleach.
- Avoid using scented pads and change your pad after every 3-4 hours.
- Use loose-fitting underwear, and to avoid yeast infection, use antifungal ointments right from the onset of your menstrual cycle.
- Use a menstrual cup or tampon instead of synthetic pads.
