Question from Debbie
I appreciate this website so very much. It has helped to educate me about the things that make me sick. So thankful for all your very good information.
My question is that I have a “red and raw” irritation. The doctor had no advice for me once he ruled out infection. I have been trying to figure out the cause. I started wondering if toilet paper could do this to me. (That is where the problem is) We use some that we buy at Costco that is very white. The paper has no fragrances.
Could that be at least a cause of the rawness? I would appreciate any information or advice you can give me. Thank you so much.
Debra’s Answer
Toilet paper could certainly be the problem. Even if there is no fragrance, the paper itself could be an irritant.
We use Scott 1000. I know there is recycled toilet paper, but I don’t feel comfortable using recycled paper for this purpose. I don’t know what toxic materials might remain in the recycled paper of that rough quality.
You could also use a bidet. This website has a little video that shows how a bidet works: www.biffy.com/.
And check out this blog for more discussion on toilet paper: ReNest: Green Alternatives to Toilet Paper.
I see this question is from several years ago, but I wanted to mention that if you are like me and find yourself red, raw and itchy (and bleeding!) despite trying various brands of paper, you could try the “family cloth” system. There are several sellers on etsy that make family cloth if you don’t sew (and want cloth with finished edges). Family cloth plus a water bottle (poor man’s bidet) has helped me go from 40 years of great discomfort – I think I have had this allergy for all of my life- to healing. I must admit that it took me several months to get used to it, but now it is no big deal and totally worth it for the relief it has brought.
Also, if you are a woman who has a reaction to feminine products, there is a whole world of natural, chemical free reusables out there! “Mama cloth”, menstrual cups. etc.
I have been wiping with wash cloths (when at home) for years for this very reason. I have some small, thin ones for this purpose. I have a special hook for it and change it out often enough that there is no odor.
I do use tp for #2, but some people are using rags for that too. It is similar to diapering to set up a system for it.
This is another one of those things that advertising convinces us that we need, but did not exist in the past – like dryer sheets, a special cleaner for each and every purpose, special soaps – I just use baking soda, vinegar, dish soap and bar soap for everything. And I have all different kinds of rags. Tons of them. You can make them from your old clothes or buy them. I even have a basket of disposable rags to replace paper towels. I noticed that there is a small quick-dry towel that you can attach to a back pack for students to use now on the market. It is for the Zero Waste movement.
Hi Debra, would you be willing to elaborate more on Scott 1000 and how it fits into the toxic free lifestyle? I am having similar issues, and have tried some of the recycled toilet paper, but they are so thin, that I feel like I’m wasting much more paper than I was. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
After trying different brands, I finally settled on Scott 1000 because 1) it has no dyes or scents and 2) it comes wrapped in paper instead of plastic. I’ve never had a problem with it. As I was typing this it occurred to me that if the paper was bleached with chlorine, the paper would contain dioxin, which is very toxic, so I called Scott Brands and the customer service rep told me that “chiorine is not listed on the list of ingredients.” I asked, “If chlorine was used in the processing of the paper, it would be on your list?” And she said, “Yes ma’am.” She also told me the types of trees used to make Scott 1000 toilet paper: aspen, maple, birch spruce, and eucalyptus. I’m just getting this picture of millions of acres of trees being turned into toilet paper, but it’s kind of a necessity.
The adhesives binding it together could pose a problem, too, right?
Yes.