To wonder if I could be allergic to toilet roll!?

We use family cloth (though not for the same reason). Organic cotton wipes (made by Imse Vimse). I keep a beaker of water by the toilet to dampen them before use. They go in the normal washing with everything else (just like underwear).

I still use toilet roll when out, but you could take some out with you in a wet bag if necessary.

I have vulvodynia, never thought it could be loo roll related, will think about that.

Cream wise, I found some stuff on Amazon called Vulva Harmony (what a name for a girl group that would behaha) which has helped things a lot. I also have a steroid ointment but save that for really bad flare ups.

Good luck ansum hope you get some relief.

I have looked for a toilet roll that contains no irritants, but the manufacturers don't seem to supply such a thing. Wouldn't this be helpful? No bleach, formaldehyde, perfumes, etc. At least I haven't noticed such a thing in supermarkets and I don't want to have to start buying things like this online.

Instead we get products with even more stuff added, such as shea and aloes. Presumably to soothe away the irritation caused by other irritating ingredients they include.

Is it not possible to have a real hypoallergenic toilet roll?

Haven't logged in in a long time, but needed to answer this...

I had so many issues with thrush and UTIs (now have a diagnosis of interstitial cystitis) but coconut oil with a tiny bit of tea tree oil worked wonders for me when everything is sore, the coconut oil moisturises and soothes; both are antifungal so assist with thrush.

Due to poor health, I had oral thrush for a year. Whenever i get prescribed anti-bs, I ask for thrush meds. But the best solution I have found is a tampon coated in coconut oil, few drops of tea tree oil, used once a day for approx 6 hours, for no more than a week.

Thrush seemed to cause the cystitis and vice versa (and my period caused both). I really hope you find something that works for you, the hell of swollen, cracked, bleeding labia, with a burning urethra, cannot be underestimated.

I wish all fellow sufferers the very best.

It's definitely possible! I highly suspect I'm allergic to the stuff at my parents house - I think it's "coated" in Shea butter.

To me it sounds like vulvodynia. There are different types, and management is individual to the person and their specific symptoms. I'd recommend you get a referral to a gynaecologist. GUM clinics are very good on this sort of thing too.

Interesting coincidence that this thread came up, as I have been suspecting the same thing, and have changed toilet paper to an unbleached recycled one, and seem to have miraculously recovered. Although the one I had been using didn't say it was perfumed (was on sale, so thought I'd try it) there was a definite fragrance to it, so I feel that might have contributed to it. So itchy and burny: just horrible.

Just wanted to add to this, I don’t have issues with loo roll (though I do buy the cheap own brand value ones so are they unbleached??) but I had similar issues with Always pads. They changed formula about ten years ago and I had the worst pain down there, burning and skin tears after each period. Switched to sanitary pads from health food stores without bleach plastic etc and I never had problems again.

About a year ago, at the end of each period I'd have a week of intense burning and itching deep inside down there which would gradually wear off and then boom, next period would start and it'd happen all over again.

I always used to use Sainsburys own brand toilet paper (the blue plastic wrapper) but store brand non-applicator tampons. I switched to a different toilet roll and now only use Lil-ets and the problem has gone (which I am beyond thankful for as there were times I was in tears with the discomfort).

I use a generic aquaeous cream in the shower (completely cover the whole downstairs, leave it there til the very last minute) wash hair/body in sulphate/silicon free everything, and then wash downstairs in the aqueaous cream as it's a soap substitute. Still have flare ups but usually when I'm stressed about anything, and only having the rare calm times because I talked to a friend who has the same symptoms and they recommended the cream. Honestly feels like it must be acidic down there sometimes I can't even sit down. This way helps but its not a long term cure.. Sex, stress, chocolate, even just warmth makes it worse

We have the cloths left over from reflux and cloth nappies. All made from cotton baby sheets I’ve picked up from charity shops so lovely and soft.

Wiping with cloth helped here for DS2. For a poo I’d add a squeeze of aveeno.

I cannot use Andrex toilet roll or I get thrush, every single time. It seems more powdery or dusty than the supermarket own brand.

YANBU after a couple of rounds of veeeery strong antibiotics I’ve been left with permanent sensitivities down below too. I can’t use regular loo roll - I buy unbleached loo roll made from bamboo on Amazon. It’s called cheeky panda. An absolute godsend!

I also have to buy special sanitary towels - also unbleached, totally unscented. They’re made from organically farmed cotton, no plastic and are biodegradable. Anything from the supermarket leaves me in agony.

My itching/burning has calmed right down but I’m also on medication to help. Google a condition called vulvodynia and see if it sounds like your symptoms.

Yes, dermol is great for everything!

I had these symptoms. A consultant prescribed Dermol 500 cream - used on plain white toilet paper and dabbed (not rubbed) on. It dries quickly, and has worked like magic for me. It's very cooling and soothing.

I have a friend whose allergic to some toilet rolls. I think she finds the recycled ones bad. She uses Costco Kirkland toilet paper and it’s fine.

Since I got diagnosed with a hair dye allergy I have given up trying to figure out my triggers as I seem to be sensitive to everything. Its like it opened a floodgate.

I often smear the area with diprobase or epiderm or similar. I find the greasy layer really protects my skin.

Thankyou so much for this post. It explains a lot of previously unexplained symptoms i have had over the years.

Also, try using aqueous cream, again Google will explain it much better than I can.