Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow It FeelsSymptomsSelf-CareSeeking CareTreatmentDurationComplicationsLimiting Risk
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How It Feels
Symptoms
Self-Care
Seeking Care
Treatment
Duration
Complications
Limiting Risk
Pad rash is skin irritation (contact dermatitis) that develops on the vulva, inner thighs, or buttocks after prolonged contact with sanitary pads, such as menstrual pads and panty liners. Friction, moisture, or sensitivity to materials or chemicals in sanitary pads can lead to a pad rash, causing itching, inflammation, and discomfort.
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How Pad Rash Feels
Pad rash can develop on any part of the skin in the pelvic and genital region, including the vulva, inner thighs, buttocks, and perineum (area between the genitals and anus).The skin in this area tends to be more sensitive and prone to irritation due to its higher concentration of blood vessels and nerve endings.
Symptoms of pad rash vary depending on its severity and may include:
How Pads Cause Rash Symptoms
While any sanitary pad can cause a rash when friction, moisture, heat, and lack of airflow irritate the skin, certain disposable menstrual pads and panty liners are more likely to irritate the skin and cause pad rash. These contain harsh chemicals, fragrances, dyes, or synthetic materials.
Most disposable menstrual pads have three layers:
You are more likely to develop a pad rash when using disposable sanitary pads made with synthetic, non-breathable materials (e.g., plastic) and harsh chemicals that irritate the skin, like fragrances and dyes.
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Self-Care for Pad Rash
While pad rash can be itchy and uncomfortable, self-care strategies can help soothe skin irritation and promote healing. Taking action as soon as you notice symptoms, like itchiness or irritation, can help prevent the rash from worsening and relieve discomfort, such as with:
When to Consult a Provider for Treatment
Most pad rashes clear up within a few days with self-care. You should see a healthcare provider if your symptoms persist or worsen despite at-home treatments or if you develop symptoms of an infection, such as increased redness and swelling, ulcers (open sores), oozing or crusting blisters, or a fever.
A primary care physician (PCP), dermatologist, or gynecologist can diagnose and treat pad rashes and other causes of skin irritation in the genital area.During the appointment, your provider will ask about your symptoms, menstrual history, hygiene practices, and what types of menstrual products you use. They will examine the affected area for tell-tale signs of a pad rash, like redness, small bumps, or swelling.
If your rash is severe and persistent, your healthcare provider may recommend diagnostic testing, such as a skin swab (culture), to test for bacterial or fungal infections. If your provider suspects an allergic reaction is causing your symptoms, they may order allergy testing to identify the underlying cause.
Pad Rash: Differential DiagnosisPad rash shares similar symptoms with several other conditions that can affect the skin in the pelvic area, including:Contact dermatitis from other sources, like body wash or laundry detergentEczema (atopic dermatitis)Fungal or bacterial skin infectionsIntertrigo (Irritation in skinfolds)Lichen planus (an inflammatory skin condition)Lichen sclerosus (an autoimmune skin condition that typically affects the genitals)Psoriasis (buildup of skin cells causing dry, itchy patches)Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)Sharing detailed information about your symptoms and the products you’re using can help your healthcare provider make an accurate diagnosis.
Pad Rash: Differential Diagnosis
Pad rash shares similar symptoms with several other conditions that can affect the skin in the pelvic area, including:Contact dermatitis from other sources, like body wash or laundry detergentEczema (atopic dermatitis)Fungal or bacterial skin infectionsIntertrigo (Irritation in skinfolds)Lichen planus (an inflammatory skin condition)Lichen sclerosus (an autoimmune skin condition that typically affects the genitals)Psoriasis (buildup of skin cells causing dry, itchy patches)Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)Sharing detailed information about your symptoms and the products you’re using can help your healthcare provider make an accurate diagnosis.
Pad rash shares similar symptoms with several other conditions that can affect the skin in the pelvic area, including:
Sharing detailed information about your symptoms and the products you’re using can help your healthcare provider make an accurate diagnosis.
Medicated Treatment Options
When self-care measures are not enough to relieve pad rash, your healthcare provider may prescribe medications to relieve symptoms and promote healing. Most treatments are topical ointments you apply directly to the affected area.
If pad rash leads to a secondary fungal or bacterial infection, your healthcare provider will prescribe topical or oral antifungal medication or antibiotics to treat and eliminate the infection.
How Long Can Pad Rash Last?
Mild pad rashes, especially those that develop due to chafing and friction, typically improve within a few days with proper self-care.However, more severe rashes, especially those that develop due to an allergic reaction to a substance in sanitary pads, can take up to several weeks to heal.
Scratching an itchy pad rash can cause breaks or tears in the skin, creating openings that allow bacteria and other microbes to enter the body, which can lead to infections, cause additional discomfort, and prolong the healing process.If you’re struggling to resist scratching, consider applying a barrier cream, such as Vaseline petroleum jelly to protect the affected area or over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to relieve discomfort.
Reasons Symptoms Are Not Improving
If pad rash symptoms persist despite treatment or you develop additional symptoms, such as vaginal discharge, it may be a sign of an underlying condition that requires more attention or different treatment. Common factors that contribute to persistent pad rash include:
Diaper Rash vs. Pad RashDiaper rash is more common in infants, young children, and adults with urinary or fecal incontinence who wear absorbent products, such as incontinence pads. If you do not change the product after experiencing stool or urine leakage,adult diaper rashand bacterial and fungal infections are more likely to develop.In contrast, menstrual pads are primarily designed to absorb menstrual fluid, and you can generally leave them on for a few hours without the risk of infection.
Diaper Rash vs. Pad Rash
Diaper rash is more common in infants, young children, and adults with urinary or fecal incontinence who wear absorbent products, such as incontinence pads. If you do not change the product after experiencing stool or urine leakage,adult diaper rashand bacterial and fungal infections are more likely to develop.In contrast, menstrual pads are primarily designed to absorb menstrual fluid, and you can generally leave them on for a few hours without the risk of infection.
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Next Period Cycle: Limiting Risk of Dermatitis
If you have sensitive skin or are prone to pad rash, consider trying menstrual pad alternatives such as the following to protect your skin and preventdermatitisthe next time you get your period:
Summary
See a healthcare provider if you experience persistent or severe pad rash or a rash with other concerning symptoms. They can recommend effective treatments to clear the rash and improve comfort and skin health.
24 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yale K, Awosika O, Rengifo-Pardo M, Ehrlich A.Genital allergic contact dermatitis.Dermatitis. 2018;29(3):112-119. doi:10.1097/DER.0000000000000371Farage MA.Sensitive skin in the genital area.Front Med (Lausanne). 2019;6:96. doi:10.3389/fmed.2019.00096National Association for Continence.How to prevent and treat adult diaper rash.Vulvovaginal Disorders.Contact dermatitis, irritant, and allergic.Upson K, Shearston JA, Kioumourtzoglou MA.Menstrual products as a source of environmental chemical exposure: a review from the epidemiologic perspective.Curr Environ Health Rep. 2022;9(1):38-52. doi:10.1007/s40572-022-00331-1Park CJ, Barakat R, Ulanov A, et al.Sanitary pads and diapers contain higher phthalate contents than those in common commercial plastic products.Reprod Toxicol. 2019;84:114-121. doi:10.1016/j.reprotox.2019.01.005New Jersey Department of Health.Periods (menstruation).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy habits: menstrual hygiene.Vulvovaginal Disorders.Overview of treatment of vulvar skin disorders and pruritis.MedlinePlus.Contact dermatitis.Raef HS, Elmariah SB.Vulvar pruritus: a review of clinical associations, pathophysiology and therapeutic management.Front Med (Lausanne). 2021;8:649402. doi:10.3389/fmed.2021.649402American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rash 101 in adults: when to seek medical treatment.Metin A, Dilek N, Bilgili SG.Recurrent candidal intertrigo: challenges and solutions.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol.2018;11:175-185. doi:10.2147/CCID.S127841Knabel M, Mudaliar K.Histopathologic features of inverse psoriasis.J Cutan Pathol. 2022;49(3):246-251. doi:10.1111/cup.14142Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC).Admani S, Maghfour J, Jacob SE.Localized systemic contact dermatitis: the vulva as a clue to identify allergen ingestion.Int J Womens Dermatol. 2021;7(5Part B):843-844. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2021.02.009SkinSight.New itchy skin rashes in adults.MedlinePlus.Skin infections.DermnetNZ.Irritant contact dermatitis.O’Connor C, McCarthy S, Murphy M.Pooling the evidence: a review of swimming and atopic dermatitis.Pediatr Dermatol. 2023;40(3):407-412. doi:10.1111/pde.15325National Association for Continence.How to prevent and treat adult diaper rash.Women’s Voices for the Earth.Menstrual care products & toxic chemicals.Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.Menstrual care products & toxic chemicals.van Eijk AM, Jayasinghe N, Zulaika G, et al.Exploring menstrual products: A systematic review and meta-analysis of reusable menstrual pads for public health internationally.PLoS One. 2021;16(9):e0257610. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0257610
24 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yale K, Awosika O, Rengifo-Pardo M, Ehrlich A.Genital allergic contact dermatitis.Dermatitis. 2018;29(3):112-119. doi:10.1097/DER.0000000000000371Farage MA.Sensitive skin in the genital area.Front Med (Lausanne). 2019;6:96. doi:10.3389/fmed.2019.00096National Association for Continence.How to prevent and treat adult diaper rash.Vulvovaginal Disorders.Contact dermatitis, irritant, and allergic.Upson K, Shearston JA, Kioumourtzoglou MA.Menstrual products as a source of environmental chemical exposure: a review from the epidemiologic perspective.Curr Environ Health Rep. 2022;9(1):38-52. doi:10.1007/s40572-022-00331-1Park CJ, Barakat R, Ulanov A, et al.Sanitary pads and diapers contain higher phthalate contents than those in common commercial plastic products.Reprod Toxicol. 2019;84:114-121. doi:10.1016/j.reprotox.2019.01.005New Jersey Department of Health.Periods (menstruation).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy habits: menstrual hygiene.Vulvovaginal Disorders.Overview of treatment of vulvar skin disorders and pruritis.MedlinePlus.Contact dermatitis.Raef HS, Elmariah SB.Vulvar pruritus: a review of clinical associations, pathophysiology and therapeutic management.Front Med (Lausanne). 2021;8:649402. doi:10.3389/fmed.2021.649402American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rash 101 in adults: when to seek medical treatment.Metin A, Dilek N, Bilgili SG.Recurrent candidal intertrigo: challenges and solutions.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol.2018;11:175-185. doi:10.2147/CCID.S127841Knabel M, Mudaliar K.Histopathologic features of inverse psoriasis.J Cutan Pathol. 2022;49(3):246-251. doi:10.1111/cup.14142Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC).Admani S, Maghfour J, Jacob SE.Localized systemic contact dermatitis: the vulva as a clue to identify allergen ingestion.Int J Womens Dermatol. 2021;7(5Part B):843-844. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2021.02.009SkinSight.New itchy skin rashes in adults.MedlinePlus.Skin infections.DermnetNZ.Irritant contact dermatitis.O’Connor C, McCarthy S, Murphy M.Pooling the evidence: a review of swimming and atopic dermatitis.Pediatr Dermatol. 2023;40(3):407-412. doi:10.1111/pde.15325National Association for Continence.How to prevent and treat adult diaper rash.Women’s Voices for the Earth.Menstrual care products & toxic chemicals.Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.Menstrual care products & toxic chemicals.van Eijk AM, Jayasinghe N, Zulaika G, et al.Exploring menstrual products: A systematic review and meta-analysis of reusable menstrual pads for public health internationally.PLoS One. 2021;16(9):e0257610. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0257610
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Yale K, Awosika O, Rengifo-Pardo M, Ehrlich A.Genital allergic contact dermatitis.Dermatitis. 2018;29(3):112-119. doi:10.1097/DER.0000000000000371Farage MA.Sensitive skin in the genital area.Front Med (Lausanne). 2019;6:96. doi:10.3389/fmed.2019.00096National Association for Continence.How to prevent and treat adult diaper rash.Vulvovaginal Disorders.Contact dermatitis, irritant, and allergic.Upson K, Shearston JA, Kioumourtzoglou MA.Menstrual products as a source of environmental chemical exposure: a review from the epidemiologic perspective.Curr Environ Health Rep. 2022;9(1):38-52. doi:10.1007/s40572-022-00331-1Park CJ, Barakat R, Ulanov A, et al.Sanitary pads and diapers contain higher phthalate contents than those in common commercial plastic products.Reprod Toxicol. 2019;84:114-121. doi:10.1016/j.reprotox.2019.01.005New Jersey Department of Health.Periods (menstruation).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy habits: menstrual hygiene.Vulvovaginal Disorders.Overview of treatment of vulvar skin disorders and pruritis.MedlinePlus.Contact dermatitis.Raef HS, Elmariah SB.Vulvar pruritus: a review of clinical associations, pathophysiology and therapeutic management.Front Med (Lausanne). 2021;8:649402. doi:10.3389/fmed.2021.649402American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rash 101 in adults: when to seek medical treatment.Metin A, Dilek N, Bilgili SG.Recurrent candidal intertrigo: challenges and solutions.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol.2018;11:175-185. doi:10.2147/CCID.S127841Knabel M, Mudaliar K.Histopathologic features of inverse psoriasis.J Cutan Pathol. 2022;49(3):246-251. doi:10.1111/cup.14142Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC).Admani S, Maghfour J, Jacob SE.Localized systemic contact dermatitis: the vulva as a clue to identify allergen ingestion.Int J Womens Dermatol. 2021;7(5Part B):843-844. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2021.02.009SkinSight.New itchy skin rashes in adults.MedlinePlus.Skin infections.DermnetNZ.Irritant contact dermatitis.O’Connor C, McCarthy S, Murphy M.Pooling the evidence: a review of swimming and atopic dermatitis.Pediatr Dermatol. 2023;40(3):407-412. doi:10.1111/pde.15325National Association for Continence.How to prevent and treat adult diaper rash.Women’s Voices for the Earth.Menstrual care products & toxic chemicals.Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.Menstrual care products & toxic chemicals.van Eijk AM, Jayasinghe N, Zulaika G, et al.Exploring menstrual products: A systematic review and meta-analysis of reusable menstrual pads for public health internationally.PLoS One. 2021;16(9):e0257610. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0257610
Yale K, Awosika O, Rengifo-Pardo M, Ehrlich A.Genital allergic contact dermatitis.Dermatitis. 2018;29(3):112-119. doi:10.1097/DER.0000000000000371
Farage MA.Sensitive skin in the genital area.Front Med (Lausanne). 2019;6:96. doi:10.3389/fmed.2019.00096
National Association for Continence.How to prevent and treat adult diaper rash.
Vulvovaginal Disorders.Contact dermatitis, irritant, and allergic.
Upson K, Shearston JA, Kioumourtzoglou MA.Menstrual products as a source of environmental chemical exposure: a review from the epidemiologic perspective.Curr Environ Health Rep. 2022;9(1):38-52. doi:10.1007/s40572-022-00331-1
Park CJ, Barakat R, Ulanov A, et al.Sanitary pads and diapers contain higher phthalate contents than those in common commercial plastic products.Reprod Toxicol. 2019;84:114-121. doi:10.1016/j.reprotox.2019.01.005
New Jersey Department of Health.Periods (menstruation).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy habits: menstrual hygiene.
Vulvovaginal Disorders.Overview of treatment of vulvar skin disorders and pruritis.
MedlinePlus.Contact dermatitis.
Raef HS, Elmariah SB.Vulvar pruritus: a review of clinical associations, pathophysiology and therapeutic management.Front Med (Lausanne). 2021;8:649402. doi:10.3389/fmed.2021.649402
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rash 101 in adults: when to seek medical treatment.
Metin A, Dilek N, Bilgili SG.Recurrent candidal intertrigo: challenges and solutions.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol.2018;11:175-185. doi:10.2147/CCID.S127841
Knabel M, Mudaliar K.Histopathologic features of inverse psoriasis.J Cutan Pathol. 2022;49(3):246-251. doi:10.1111/cup.14142
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC).
Admani S, Maghfour J, Jacob SE.Localized systemic contact dermatitis: the vulva as a clue to identify allergen ingestion.Int J Womens Dermatol. 2021;7(5Part B):843-844. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2021.02.009
SkinSight.New itchy skin rashes in adults.
MedlinePlus.Skin infections.
DermnetNZ.Irritant contact dermatitis.
O’Connor C, McCarthy S, Murphy M.Pooling the evidence: a review of swimming and atopic dermatitis.Pediatr Dermatol. 2023;40(3):407-412. doi:10.1111/pde.15325
Women’s Voices for the Earth.Menstrual care products & toxic chemicals.
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.Menstrual care products & toxic chemicals.
van Eijk AM, Jayasinghe N, Zulaika G, et al.Exploring menstrual products: A systematic review and meta-analysis of reusable menstrual pads for public health internationally.PLoS One. 2021;16(9):e0257610. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0257610
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