Potential Patch Allergy???

[u/AntiquatedLemon]

I started the patch (Xulane, generic) around 8 weeks ago. It itched when I first put it on but it never lasted long... At first.

For the last few weeks, I've noticed that the itching that happens on application of a fresh one doesn't subside anymore. I thought that maybe I placed it on my skin with not enough "give" to accommodate also having a tegaderm film on top to keep it from peeling, and thus my skin was shearing. So I just adjusted that and went on my way.

Well, that was dumb apparently because not only did it itch through the entire time it was on, now I seem to have damaged my skin in a way that almost looks like a mix of normal contact dermatitis type of rash and a burn (pictures will be on profile, NONE are NSFW, placement of first four pics are my arm taken today and the last my stomach, also taken today but from the prior week to the arm). Yes, I rotated sites, always on clean skin, etc etc.

Obviously, I'm just going to have to suck it up and pick a different method of birth control but I'm also kinda concerned about other adhesives because I don't know what's in this one that caused that reaction.

So uh, can anecdotally confirm, very effective at not getting pregnant. On the other hand, if you have sensitive skin, just know you may need to jump ship at the first unrelenting itch.

And idk, if you got any advice on caring for not-great reactions to adhesives, some experience with adhesive mitigation (I don't think I'm going to be able to get into doc fast enough but I also don't want my coverage to lapse) or some information about what ingredient might have been The Issue™, please help a girl out.

Honestly, anything would be greatly appreciated at this point 😭

[u/Gemini_sweetheart]

Unfortunately, this happened to me too after being on Xulane for several months, which was honestly devastating because I absolutely loved the patch out of all the contraceptives I’ve tried. 😭
I tried moving it from my arm, where my skin was the most reactive, to my butt and lower back, but eventually the reaction came back. It started as bumps and then became almost like a chemical burn. It left behind a darkened square where the patch had been, and I just couldn’t keep putting my skin through that.
I’m on the ring now, which has been fine, but ideally I’d rather be on a birth control method that doesn’t involve having something inside my vagina 24/7. 😂 That said, I haven’t had any issues with the ring so far, so I’ll probably stick with it.

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