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

[Ansumpasty]

I’ve been having awful ongoing issues down there for almost 6 months. Been tested for everything under the sun and the only thing that comes back is b strep. Basically feels like thrush, but with an alkaline ph and no answers!

Right before this started, I had a bad skin reaction to a facial treatment. I then had an allergic reaction to hair dye (tint) for the first time in my life. Been colouring my hair since I was 16 and never had an issue.

Is it possible that non scented and not aloe Vera covered toilet roll could cause a reaction? Anyone else ever had issues like this or AIBU and just clutching at straws in desperation...

Hi ansum, I only need this for a wee, its the moist areas of vaginal exterior and labia that are affected. Thank god can still use tissue to the rear. So, at home I just have a stack of flannels, that I use once for dabbing dry (dab dont scrub!). Hotwash in machine (just water) end of day, dry by morning. If out, I take cotton wool pads (make up remover size) with me and dab away with a couple of those, dont get any bad reaction from them at all. Wrap in tissue or plastic bag and put in bin. Dont flush them. I've tried every brand of tissue, cheap or pricey, and presume its something used in the process of pulping that I react to, all tissues useless to me. If I get extra itchy I'll use Canestan if I've got some around but find Aveeno cream just as good. Stay away from anything 'fragranced'. Good luck

Get unbleached toilet paper - it's worth a try.

Use a bidet and only water. If you dont have a bidet there are ways to improvise, eg spray water bottles. Take toilet paper off the agender entirely. If you still have problems the paper is eliminated. Better for the environment and the drains also. Win Win

Ha Drum! Got this from Cushelle.

Fleece wipes are good. Think of it as being like a tame version of washable nappies. Keep a lidded bin next to the loo, preferably with a net bag or pillow slip in as a liner. Every few days pull out the bag and stick it in the washer.

Google 'Family cloth'.

I originally read about it some time ago, the person that wrote about it had simply cut up old t shirts as they were soft. It has evolved since then.

Toilet paper seems to be going the same way as sanitary towels, unpleasant things being sneaked into them. Why people would want to put chemicals down there is ridiculous, not to mention where the pollution ends up.

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

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

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

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 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.

Thanks, everyone!

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.

Yes, dermol is great for everything!

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.

You ladies are great, thank you. I’ve spent months crying over this with no answers and feeling very alone as it’s not exactly something you can talk about on the school run!
Praying this might be the answer for me

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

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

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.

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

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.