CONTACT-DERMATITIS ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF ALWAYS SANITARY NAPKINS

Objective: To report a clinical association between vulvar irritation or contact dermatitis and the use of Always sanitary napkins. Design: Case series. Setting: A gynecology practice in Montreal. Patients: Wom en presenting between September 1991 and September 1994 with itching o r burning of areas that would be in contact with a sanitary napkin (mo ns pubis, external surfaces of the vulva and perineum) beginning at le ast 1 day after the use of the napkins was started and less than 5 day s after the use was stopped. Results: Twenty-eight women experienced v ulvar itching and burning, often associated with eruptions resembling contact dermatitis, of the vulvar and perineal surfaces after using Al ways sanitary napkins. Twenty-six reported that symptoms disappeared a fter they stopped using that brand of sanitary napkin. Seven women who later used the same brand again reported a recurrence of the vulvar i rritation. Conclusion: The findings of this case series reveal Always sanitary napkins as a potentially important cause of recurrent vulviti s. Physician awareness of the association will enable effective advice and relief for a large number of women suffering ''chronic vaginitis. ''