I cant use it either. I dont think its an allergy problem (for me at least) with the pads, its that mast cells are quickly activated by anything that happens with our skin... like electric current. Sorry Hon. It may be different for you. Try to call your Dr about changing the type of pads?? But you may just be irritating your circulation under the skin enough to provoke a reaction.
Hope you feel better
Ramona

Have you reacted to other adhesives?  I get those splotches from band-aids... even the kind that don't have latex.  

Heather

I'm wondering if you could try some alternative way of attaching the TENS pads that don't use adhesive... like maybe cloth tape?  It doesn't last as long, but it shouldn't bother your skin so much.  I have really sensitive skin too.

I haven't followed Old Crow Medicine Show too closely, but I do LOVE the song in my signature... it's very special to me  Thanks for sharing that connection you have!

Heather

Bandaids can also have something derived from lanolin. My son reacts to some, and has a lanolin allergy, I'm assuming that's the connection for him.

I wonder if the home-made skin cream idea using some sodium cromoglycate mixed into it would help with the reaction.

Hi! I use microcurrent, so it may be a little different than TENS, but I have a couple of things that you can check into.

I have some gloves that attach to the wires that are supposed to be used by a therapist. Not the cloth ones being sold to patients, these are some kind of black graphite that conducts the current. You can wrap these gloves in wet towels, and wrap the towels around body parts to conduct the current.

I also like to take a bath, and I drop the lead wires into the water. Microcurrent runs on 9 volt batteries, so I am not going to electrocute myself. The wet towels and the bath water both conduct a lot more current than my body could otherwise tolerate.

I've been trying out using a foot bath, with either one sticky pad, or a wet towel. It works pretty well, and is more easily available than a bath.

None of these are great solutions for using the TENS while active. I'm still looking for something that works for that. I have been tempted to try some of the conductive garments out there, but am hearing very mixed reviews, so hate to spend the money till I hear better things.

The sticky pads I do use are the EMPI StimCare Premium Electrodes. I still get some itching, and worse the longer I wear them, but sometimes the relief is worth the rash.

If you find something that really works, I would love to hear about it!

There is research showing that Benadryl applied on the skin can cause people to become allergic to ORAL Benadryl.  So be careful, especially if you need Benadryl as a rescue medicine, not to put it on topically.  That includes all anti-itch creams that contain diphenhydramine.  I don't know if it applies to other anti-histamines used in creams or sprays, but I would guess so.

I had no idea about the benedryl thing.  I do use it topically sometimes.  I don't use it too often orally as it makes me kinda wired and my heart races.  Last night I stupidly ate something with MSG not realizing (flavored chips=no no).  But taking a Zyrtec and a Zantac helped calm down the mess I had made...errrg! Today, at work, I feel like someone dragged me through something.

I am wondering if the cream should be a cortizone rather than an antihistamine then...ahh, too many twists and turns.  Yes, I have wet the electrodes before.  This makes me think the nasal cromolyn spray would work as the liquid.  Think I am gonna give that a go first...oh, and no more flavored chips for me.