Yes, I developed a sensitivity to pantyliners while pregnant. You can buy 100% cotton liners anywhere - CVS, Target, etc.

I’m currently experiencing a bad reaction as well with the Equate brand. Its very uncomfortable

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are the carefree actifresh scented? You are likely reacting to the fragrance.

Carefree when they came out in the mid 80s, had a distinctive, powdery smell (I know because I used these as a teenager and would keep the package in my underwear drawer - acted as a sachet). Carefree still makes scented (same scent I recall), but all these yrs later, it's too strong so I opt for unscented.

I'd suggest a baking soda bath, warm. Sleep without underwear and go without panties and or wear loose clothing for the next few days. No tight workout shorts.

This. Go to CVS. They sell unscented cotton pads and liners under their own label. It made a world of difference for one of our daughters.

+1

This is a great motivation to switch to those period undies instead of using panty liners....

Yes. Happened to me after years of no trouble wearing unscented panty liners. It took over a year to figure it out. Multiple doctor visits. No rash for me, but terrible itching, stinging, pricking sensations, very red and swollen. Switched to all natural, dye-free from Whole Foods and the problem went away.

Me too! This is happening to me now...that's why I'm here. The irony is that the pad that I was wearing was Carefree Actifresh (deodorant). I've had reactions before but did not make the possible connection until a few months ago. I use Carefree, but I would just alternate from the deodorant to the unscented according to what was available at the store. I thought it was medication, mixture of vitamins, maybe not hydrated enough--maybe even what I was eating....Then I started to notice that when I would use the deodorant brand, I would have a reaction. Miserable.

I had been using the unscented and had no issues but the store only had the scented on the shelf so... and yup... Here I am.

If this is happening to so many women using the same product and having the same issue is being made apparent, I think the concern about the product's safety needs ro be made public.

Just think, 50 years ago they were suggesting and ACTIVELY advertising Lysol as a safe and effective "intimate cleanser" for women.

Anonymous wrote:Are the carefree actifresh scented? You are likely reacting to the fragrance.

Carefree when they came out in the mid 80s, had a distinctive, powdery smell (I know because I used these as a teenager and would keep the package in my underwear drawer - acted as a sachet). Carefree still makes scented (same scent I recall), but all these yrs later, it's too strong so I opt for unscented.

I'd suggest a baking soda bath, warm. Sleep without underwear and go without panties and or wear loose clothing for the next few days. No tight workout shorts.

This. Go to CVS. They sell unscented cotton pads and liners under their own label. It made a world of difference for one of our daughters.

Anonymous wrote:There are also reuseable cloth pantiliners that you can just throw in the laundry with your clothes, or disposable ones. If you get organic cotton or similar, you can minimize your exposure to anything that might irritate (bleach, etc.).

Examples (I am sure there are many more):

https://www.mylola.com/products/liners?gclid=CjwKCAjwo4jOBRBmEiwABWNaMSabLqBy9nBmxVO7irkMTrjGxNUsJQeeqdO71AHpaCYSU08VAcqNshoCRYkQAvD_BwE

https://gladrags.com/product/382/Organic-Pantyliner.html

+1. I also use cloth pads and they are wonderful! There is no smell like with disposables and they don’t get stained either.

Anonymous wrote:Why do people wear pantiliners? Why not just cotton underwear?

Sorry if this is TMI- but I have discharge literally everyday. If I don’t wear a liner my underwear is wet and very uncomfortable. No I don’t hav an infection- and have talked to my OB about this. It’s normal , but a complete nuisance.

I just spoke to Carefree on the phone about their 'acti-fresh' brand. They said that even though it is listed as 'unscented', according to FDA standards they are still allowed and do use a low level of fragrance, and they wouldn't disclose what this ingredient was, as the 'odor-control' ingredient. I also broke out in rash and I'm glad I found this forum so I could figure out the cause. They said their 'original' pantiliners do not not contain this 'odor-control' ingredient.

Please read up on "Lichen Sclerosis" and rule that out. Please don't self-diagnose. You must see a GYN.

Anonymous wrote:+4
I had been a Carefree woman for over 20 years until I suddenly noticed unpleasant skin rashes down there.
I went to my gyn and she said pantiliners increasingly contain chemicals, perfumes, nowadays even colors, and when manufacturers change them new ingredients can irritate a sensible bikini area .
She recommended Always because she is sure that this brand unlike others is still doing permanently very extensively tests. She herself wears them and so I switched from my pink to the purple liners.
I quickly got rid of the rashes and thanks to Always now I feel fresh and super comfy in my panties again. Just try them out!

Funny! Always irritates me. I can wear any other brand.

I cut up and baste together old t-shirts/sweatshirts to use as panty liners, secured to underwear with post it adhesive spray. If you can use a needle and thread you can do a dozen while watching one TV show. Don't know what is in disposables but it gives me a rash.

I am experiencing that same issue right now. Doctor ran a bunch of tests. About to discuss this with her this week. I have been in pain since I used them. Same symptoms as well

Itching, rashes, allergies…
The manufacturers should test more intensively, our vags are not their guinea pigs!