First it was an embarassing medical problem, now it's an embarasing laundry question

December 12, 2009 1:26 PM

How to removie anal suppository residue/stain from the crotch in my underwear.

It's bad enough that I've developed hemmeroids that hurt, now I realized that the treatment (anal suppositories I take at bedtime) are slowly ruining my underwear. Mostly what I'm noticing is that even after stain treatment and washing them, crotch is becoming progressively more stiff/starched from the suppositories. The only suggestions I've found online are how to get diaper rash balm out of diapers, but I'm pretty sure that's a completely different compound than the suppositories I'm taking. Worst case I'll have to buy new underwear, but I'm not sure yet how long I'm going to have to do this treatment/be completely healed.

posted by anonymous to Home & Garden (9 answers total)

I'm not sure how to get the stains out, but maybe you could try using panty liners for the duration of the treatment?

Or if you're a guy and find that idea too femme, Depends also makes some stick-on pads that might do the trick.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 1:32 PM on December 12, 2009

Look at the drug packet information, find out what the inert filler is in the medication, and look up laundry treatments based on what the filler is (glycerol, corn starch, cellulose, etc.). Might be cellulose from the effects you're describing.
posted by benzenedream at 1:36 PM on December 12, 2009

Just rotate a couple pairs and consider them write-offs.
posted by Sys Rq at 1:44 PM on December 12, 2009 [2 favorites]

In the short term, I agree with sysrq's suggestion. I keep several pairs of plain cotton panties that I refer to as "period panties" for obvious reasons. they are stained beyond fixing but otherwise completely fine so I just wear them on those nights.
posted by supermedusa at 2:05 PM on December 12, 2009 [2 favorites]

what stain treatment are you using? i prefer "Shout Ultra Gel" because of the little scrubby brush on the top. it seems to really help with things that are caked/hardened on.
posted by nadawi at 2:07 PM on December 12, 2009

I've found that a soak in a bucket of OxyClean solution (follow the directions on the OxyClean container) followed by regular washing will get rid of almost any stain, as long as it hasn't gone through the dryer. Once a stain is heat-set, it's very, very difficult to remove. If that's the case, I'll agree with Sys Rq; use the already stained underpants whenever you use the suppositories and then toss them when you're done with the treatment.
posted by Lulu's Pink Converse at 2:14 PM on December 12, 2009

Seconding supermedusa's suggestion. We females have to deal with this problem all the time and I think most of us have "period panties".
posted by Lobster Garden at 4:22 PM on December 12, 2009

Shout Ultra Gel will get rid of almost any stain, but I still wouldn't go wearing my favorite undies while dealing with this.
posted by nosila at 4:45 PM on December 12, 2009

Suppositories are mostly made up substances that are solid at room temperature but melt at body temperature, like cocoa butter for example. Yours will say its ingredients on the insert. However, my point is it could be stiff and starchy because they are room temperature again, i.e. they've frozen back to solid state. Try washing it by hand in some warm water (around 95-100 degrees F) to get it to melt. Then use whatever you think might work: detergent, soap, Tide, Shout, Oxyclean, whatever.

Since you take them at bedtime, how much does it matter what underwear you wear? If it's not a big deal, use your "suppository undies" for bedtime and change after you've taken your morning shit and shower, assuming that's part of your schedule.

When you lie down for bed, try lying down on your left side to start out if you don't already. May or may not help, but worth a try I say.

Buy some new underwear. Can never have too much.

Hopefully, you'll be done within a month. If it still persists, there are other options that you can talk to your GI about.

Don't be embarrassed.
posted by mathlete at 7:29 AM on December 13, 2009