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Unusual Allergy Symptoms to Feminine Care Products

Dear Dr. Kagen:

In the last year and a half I have developed a seemingly unusual allergy problem.

I have developed a sensitivity to female hygiene products (ie. pads, tampons). The pain, itching and burning is unbearable and my allergist and gyn are empathetic, but have no suggestions as to what the cause or solution might be. My gyn suggested it was the fragrance or deodorants added to such products and that I should coat myself in KY jelly and hope for the best. Someone else suggested it was the chemicals and chlorine bleach used to make such products. I am tending to agree on the bleach, because I have noticed a similar effect after I have bleached my underwear. Is this allergy/sensitivity this unusual and unheard of? I have severe allergies to 'everything' (pollen, molds, dust, dust mites, cats, dogs, etc..) according to my allergist. I am also allergic to antihistamines (except benadryl), bandaids, adhesive... I regularly break out in hives. I get asthma attacks during exercise and during the pollen seasons, and from extreme cold air during the winter.

What is a possible solution to this problem. It is obviously something I cannot avoid. I have found a very limited and expensive source of more natural products, but they aren't completely bleach or chemical free. They are, however, easier for me to use compared to advertised brands. My allergies have worsened over the past few years, so that has me wondering what if this allergy/sensitivity gets worse? Can it reach the point of someone allergic to latex? (Frankly, my doctors are surprised that I have not reacted stronger to latex). Soaking in cool water offers very little relief and is not practical for someone at work. Ointments, salves I don't think are meant to be used in such an area. What other suggestions do you have for this unusual(?) problem? I can find no mention of it or information on it in any place I have researched.

Thank you for your time and interest.

Bernadette

Dear Bernadette:

Thanks for asking about your allergy symptoms.

Some female allergy sufferers experience symptoms of vaginitis, or inflammation in the vagina, during their allergy seasons. Patients allergic to tree pollen aeroallergens may have symptoms of allergy not only in the eyes, nose and lungs, but also in the mucus membranes of the vagina. The vagina mucosal surface produces very similar mucus as is found in the upper airways. Ob-Gyn physicians refer to this condition as seasonal vaginitis. So, you may have allergy not only in the mucus membranes of the upper body, but the lower regions as well.

Also, you have explained that you are sensitive to adhesives and band-aids. This strongly argues for the presence of sensitivity to latex-like allergens - which allergens may also be found in birch and grass pollens. It may not be the pads and the tampons that are causing your symptoms. It may be the fact that you have tremendous sensitivity to aeroallergens present in foods, pollens and latex containing products.

I am not certain if these feminine hygiene products contain latex proteins. If they did, I believe that there would already be many, many patients with allergy complaints when using these items.

Also, if you are extremely allergic to specific allergens in the foods related to grass and birch pollens, you may have allergy symptoms such as hives and itching in the vagina after eating those foods. Examples of what we allergists call "cross-reactive" foods include birch [ apples, peaches, pears, carrots and celery ], grass [ potato skins, carrots, celery, oats, lettuce and corn ], and finally ragweed [banana, sunflower seeds, and watermelons].

I hope this brief info is useful to you. Please discuss these facts with your own allergy specialist since I am unable to give any medical advice over the Internet.

Good luck.

Steve Kagen, M.D.
Allernet.com