VaginaPagina

I know I have to alternate between pads and tampons because tampons scrape up the inside and pads the outside.

This is a silly question, but I'll ask just to make sure: Have you washed or taken a shower? Depending on if you use scented pads or not there could be some chemicals in the pad itself that cause the rash.

Also, I have gotten some pretty wicked "diaper" rash or heat rash from using pads. So it could be that, too. I'd say if the rash doesn't go away or get better in about a week, then go to a doctor. Until then just keep it clean and dry. Blow drying the area after you get out of the shower helps too.

Sounds like a pad rash to me. I can't wear pads (and haven't since I was a relatively young teen) because even coming near one gives me the same sort of rash.

I don't think it's necessary to see a doctor unless it continues to get worse or develops some other symptoms after you stop using pads; I doubt it will. Just keep it dry, treat it well, and avoid a pad or pantiliner.

This happens to me especially towards the end of my period when I wear the same pad longer. It usually goes away in a few days.

Like some of the other posters, I always experienced the same thing from pads back when I used them (non scented ones even). Mine also only took a few days to go away, making sure to keep the area clean and dry really helped

penaten cream!

THIS HAS TOTALLY HAPPENED TO ME.

i thought it was herpes for 2 days.
i didn't do any at home things because i was scared of the herp so i don't know about solving it at home. i went to the dr. asap who gave me cream for the itch and medicine for the vagsadness which cleared it up within 2 days.
for the itch, i'd take a bath with baking soda as that always seems to take away itches for me.

in the future, i'd go with the cup if i were you. i've had horrible bleeding on that and never had a problem like this again.

i'm in australia. here you can get this stuff called 3B cream (that's a brand-name) that is designed for chaffing. it really calms the area, stops the irritation and the pain. i'm sure wherever you are, there will be an equiv. product available in a pharmacy. just check with the pharmacist that it's okay to use on 'sensitive' areas, but it's sort of what it's designed for so it should be fine. also try to keep the area dry, and wear cotton/natural fibre underwear for a while just to help it breathe, stay dry and heal. depending on how you feel about medication, you could try taking an aspirin or ibuprofen tablet, they're anti-inflammatories and might help to ease things a little bit. also - something cold might soothe it - maybe sit with your underwear on on an ice-pack wrapped in a towel or whatever, might help, again, with calming the irritation and take away some of the discomfort for a while.

i can't say if your reaction was too the deoderants/etc in the pad, or was simply a reaction to the texture and having something damp there chaffing you for a while. i have made the switch to cloth pads, i'm not sure how you feel about those (they're not disposable so you have to launder them and some people don't like the idea of that), but i've had no chaffing/rash issues with them. i've bought from a number of sellers, and i've made my own. here are some pictures of what i'm talking about:

http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_query=cloth+pads+mama&search_type=tag_title&order=&min=&max=&page=7

not advocating any particular seller, but if you're interested comment back and i'll give you the names of some communities where you can find out more. in your situation, i'd have a few on the side for days when you do want to wear them to catch spot-bleeding or whatever.

- kat :)

I just want to add that you may want to avoid using scented soaps in the area until it feels better. The perfume could irritate the rash even more.

I can't wear pads because they give me a really bad rash. I could never use tampons, either, so before I discovered menstrual cups, I just used pads and dealt with the pad rash. I found moisturizing and just trying to keep the area from getting too sweaty helped it go away more quickly.

A few years ago I developed an allergy to pads and my labia become very irritated if I use them. I don't know if it was because the way they are manufactured or because my body just decided it had had enough. I switched to reusable cloth pads.

I had to switch to cloth padsand stop using tampons also because the current super absorbant stuff they are made of irritates me. I think you should try cloth pads, Instead or cups.

They make creams for when that area is irritated. Try one for a few days.

That happened to me every period until I discovered cups - it would go away a few days after my period ended. Maybe some nappy/diaper rash cream would help?

You are probably having a reaction to disposable menstrual products..

I suggest you join cloth_pads and visit http://clothpads.org/

:)

I had a similar problem like this and so did my sister. I was curious about cloth pads so I brought a couple and loved them :)

There is also the INGENIOUS, Menstrual Cup!! And while you are wearing the Menstrual Cup you can wear some cloth pad liners =O

check out your local co-op or whole foods as they have all natural non-bleached menstrual products. also, have you considered a collection cup (moon cup, diva, instead)? I cannot use brands like always or kotex anymore as i am allergic to something in them and develop this issue when i use them. There are also cloth pads to be considered.
A wash of Apple cider vin diluted with water and applied to the area of which hazel (like what you find in tucks pads) is what my GYN and MW recommends. You can also put an ice pack on the area (just not ice directly on the area with a towel or something - getting frost bite would not help!)
good luck as i really do understand your pain!

hi i have the same thing at the moment and i also thought it was herpes but thats highly unlikely since i have not had sex for 4 or 5 months and this has only come up recently. i have my periods and use pads and the rash will not go away. i put paw paw cream on it and it seemed to calm it a little but are there any brands of gentle or sensitive pads? also i cannot use tampons because i get Toxic Shock Syndrome(TSS). so thats not an option and the cup and cloth pads dont appeal to me very much.

Hi
i think i'm having the same problem. well not to be gross but i think i have a pad rash? im not a 100% sure. I wore my pad for a whole day and night because i didn't have anymore and i was in a camping trip. The next day i notice a rash of itchy bumps. it was mostly on the vagina lips and some of those bumps in my butt cheeks. The itch has went away because i rubbed rubbing alcohol but the bumps still look they are there. i did also scratched the rash a lot before i started putting alcohol on it. what can i do to make the bumps go away? its been 4 or 5 days since the rash started.
someone help please!:/