topic Re: Has anyone experienced a UTI after using fabric softener? in Wellness

Has anyone experienced a UTI after using fabric softener?

Deanie — Sun, 18 Nov 2018 13:51:43 GMT

I just started using fabric softener. I had not done so before. I have developed symptoms of a UTI without the accompanying bacterial issues. While not going into any more symptoms so as not to get this thread poofed, I wonder has anyone else had this happen? I did look up the possibility on the Internet and it is amazing how many chemicals are contained in these sheets and in the liquid. I had previously only used white vinegar. I am now going back to that. Oh, and I started my self on a low dose of Bactrim.

Re: Has anyone experienced a UTI after using fabric softener?

novamc1 — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 12:06:09 GMT

Fabric softener has been number one on my avoid list since I was in my 20's and living in an apartment building with community washers/dryers.

Two times, someone had left a fabric softener sheet in a dryer that I hadn't noticed.

I soon became covered with huge hives. Both times I had to see a dermatologist, and got huge doses of antihistamine Benadryl. Enough drug to make me pass out, sleep forever and not go to work for a few days.

Re: Has anyone experienced a UTI after using fabric softener?

SXMGirl — Sun, 18 Nov 2018 14:46:46 GMT

@Deanie, I had a severe reaction to those washer crystals that helped prevent odors. I started using them because of my workouts. I spent 8 months in serious pain from something that I only used a few times. New and improved can be a health hazard.

Re: Has anyone experienced a UTI after using fabric softener?

Deanie — Sun, 18 Nov 2018 15:28:41 GMT

@SXMGirlyes. When I read about the chemicals from fabric softener, I banned it to never land. You are correct. New and improved is in the eyes of the beholder.

Re: Has anyone experienced a UTI after using fabric softener?

jlkz — Sun, 18 Nov 2018 15:43:45 GMT

@Deanie wrote:
I just started using fabric softener. I had not done so before. I have developed symptoms of a UTI without the accompanying bacterial issues. While not going into any more symptoms so as not to get this thread poofed, I wonder has anyone else had this happen? I did look up the possibility on the Internet and it is amazing how many chemicals are contained in these sheets and in the liquid. I had previously only used white vinegar. I am now going back to that. Oh, and I started my self on a low dose of Bactrim.

My only UTI was after a very exhausting day packing and moving from our apartment to our new home. Thought I would relax with a bubble bath....never drank water or ate that day. Perfect set up for a UTI !

Re: Has anyone experienced a UTI after using fabric softener?

jeanlake — Sun, 18 Nov 2018 22:54:33 GMT

I'm glad you mentioned something because I'm so sensitive. I can't even sit in a hot tub or flail around in the sea.

Anyone know how to keep towels soft without using fabric softener?

Re: Has anyone experienced a UTI after using fabric softener?

SilleeMee — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 00:51:20 GMT

I stopped using fabric softeners years ago. Now I use those Woolzies brand of wool dryer balls. They help cut drying times and make my clothes soft. You need several of them, like six balls, in a normal to large size load...just so you know.

These are the ones I use:

Amazon item number B0067STK3C $17

Re: Has anyone experienced a UTI after using fabric softener?

Deanie — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 01:53:29 GMT

@SilleeMee They are now in my cart at Amazon. Thanks muchly

Re: Has anyone experienced a UTI after using fabric softener?

tuscaloosa — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 03:32:42 GMT

Oh yes to the fabric softener. I have to be so careful with soap as well. I use Tom's soap. I double rinse my towels and panties. And I use non irritating detergent. No baths for me. I avoid citric acid. A&P root beer has none. I remember using philosophy's washes years ago and kept getting UTI's; finally figured it out. My coffee intake has to be watched as well.

Re: Has anyone experienced a UTI after using fabric softener?

GenXmuse — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 04:15:32 GMT

Yes! I have found that to be a culprit.

Re: Has anyone experienced a UTI after using fabric softener?

VaBelle35 — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 13:06:15 GMT

Anything can change your pH and make you susceptible to a UTI or yeast infection.

It could also just be an irritation due to an allergic reaction to something in it.

I have never used fabric softener. Why do people use it?

Re: Has anyone experienced a UTI after using fabric softener?

Deanie — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 17:40:32 GMT

@tuscaloosa one more thing to add to my cart. Which one is it for Toms soap? There are several.

Re: Has anyone experienced a UTI after using fabric softener?

sfnative — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 22:53:49 GMT

@VaBelle35 wrote:
Anything can change your pH and make you susceptible to a UTI or yeast infection.

It could also just be an irritation due to an allergic reaction to something in it.

I have never used fabric softener. Why do people use it?

@VaBelle35

@Deanie

(Deanie, I hope you're the OP.)

VaBelle,

You ask why people use it. Well, I use the sheets in the dryer because I simply loathe bath linens that feel like sandpaper and clothing likewise. Have used various "balls," and they simply do not provide the results I'm after.

Now, I have a question for you and the OP. If you are past menopause and are exhibiting symptoms of a UTI or are exhibiting some but not all of the symptoms of a UTI, you may very well not have a UTI at all. It is quite common in post-menopausal women, whose estrogen levels have dropped some or plunged, to experience feelings of a UTI. I am one of those women - millions of women who do.

Never assume you have a UTI and dose yourself with an antibiotic. Never!

Get yourself to a doc or urgent care center where they can do a UA to make a proper determination.

If lack of estrogen is the culprit, a twice a week vaginal application of Estrace will take care of things.

Re: Has anyone experienced a UTI after using fabric softener?

VaBelle35 — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 23:42:14 GMT

@sfnative Thanks for the fabric softener info.

You are absolutely correct about post-meno and UTI symptoms.

I learned that earlier this year.

Re: Has anyone experienced a UTI after using fabric softener?

Deanie — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 03:05:56 GMT

Thanks for all the comments. I went to my primary and I do have a UTI. I am getting a panel of blood work tomorrow. Oh by the way, I know my way around self dosing. Even my primary agreed with what I did

Re: Has anyone experienced a UTI after using fabric softener?

Drythe — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 03:10:45 GMT

@jeanlake

1/4 cup white vinegar instead of softener. No Problem!

Re: Has anyone experienced a UTI after using fabric softener?

Trinity11 — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 03:46:58 GMT

@Deanie wrote:
Thanks for all the comments. I went to my primary and I do have a UTI. I am getting a panel of blood work tomorrow. Oh by the way, I know my way around self dosing. Even my primary agreed with what I did

I never heard of self dosing an infection without having a culture to determine what bacteria is causing the infection. Without a culture it is impossible to know whether the bacteria will be eradicated by the antibiotic.

Not all antibiotics work for UTI's because some become resistant to particular antibiotics. That is why a sensitivity test should be used each and every time a patient has a UTI.

Re: Has anyone experienced a UTI after using fabric softener?

tuscaloosa — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 03:58:20 GMT

@Deanie Tom's orange blossom with moroccan argon oil - also Kirk's original Coco Castile soup is great too. Good luck.

Re: Has anyone experienced a UTI after using fabric softener?

TTerri — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 04:05:05 GMT

@VaBelle35 wrote:

I have never used fabric softener. Why do people use it?

It cuts down on static greatly.

Ladies, doctors tell you not to use fabric softener in your underwear!

Re: Has anyone experienced a UTI after using fabric softener?

chrystaltree — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 17:16:07 GMT

Probably, I think any of us can develop sensitivies to anything. I didn't get UTI's but I did get itching, irritation, boils. I did my own research online and discovered that some detergents and fabric softeners can do that. So, I started hand washing my undies in with shower gel. I figured if my shower gel weren't causing me any skin problems so it was safe to use them to wash my undies and I was right. I haven't had any of those problems since. I think, for me, that the residue from the harsh laundry detergent was the culprit. But I do hang my undies to dry.