Ok, so remember way back when I bought the “BEST. BRA. EVER.“? Remember how it lifted up this post breast feeding, mid thirties mama and gave me all sorts of much needed confidence? Yeah, well, I have loved those bras ever since. Until about the last month or so. When I started having a burning, itchy reaction to them.
I kid you not.
I won’t post pictures – sorry stalkers – but imagine a very red, bra shaped, welted area on my chest right now. And it itches. And it has totally freaked me out.
I had it happen before to a lesser degree about a month ago. I thought it was a fluke thing. But still, I took a break from them awhile. It was hard because I love those bras, truly they do a fabulous job perking my girls up. But, like weaning myself from a drug, I did and waited for the rash on only one small part of my body to go away. After a few weeks, it did.
And then this weekend, I pulled one out again. After one day of wearing it, I woke up the next morning with the rash covering exactly where I wore the bra. I showed my husband and his reaction was not the usual reaction I get when I flash him. He looked horrified. And along with feeling and looking red, welted and irritated, my breasts also felt sore and achy. And so itchy. Did I mention the itchy part? Really really itchy.
This is not ok.
So, its Monday morning right now and I am waiting to call my OBGYN. But while I wait, I did some bra googling. And what do you know. Check out the google page I got for “Allergic reaction to Victoria Secret bra“.
And THEN, check out the news video I watched about women with SAME reaction. Sure this news story is from a year ago (as is most of the press I found), but still I am stunned. For real. My rash is exactly the same.
And here are some more articles.
And what’s the apparent culprit??
FORMALDEHYDE!!!
My jaw is still hanging open. For all the money dropped on these damn bras, we get formaldehyde and painful, itchy, burning breasts?
This is NOT the way to start my Monday.
My plan? I’ll call my OBGYN today. I will probably take a few pics (sorry folks, park’s closed – you won’t be seeing those I’m afraid, just take my word for it). And then I will call Victoria Secret. Minimally, I want my money back so I can replace them with non formaldehydey bras.
Shoot. I thought external, synthetic, booby enhancing materials were surely safer than internal, synthetic, booby enhancing materials. …right?
I’ll keep you posted.
**UPDATE: July 8 **
I’ve had a few people ask me what brand of Victoria’s Secret bra gave me this reaction. I have two and both are from the Victoria’s Secret Angels “Air” collection. I can’t seem to find the exact bra online however (which makes me wonder if it’s been discontinued). Also, I noticed from some of the news coverage that certain bras which caused a reaction were made in China. Mine were made in the Phillipines. Honestly it doesn’t matter to me where they were made, what matters is that they were made badly.
I’ve had many women react to this post. Interestingly, many women have had the same reaction I have but refuse to stop wearing the bras because they love their support. (I love their support too but still can’t even wear a regular bra for very long thanks to all the itching I’m experiencing.) Regardless its unacceptable that we dish out $40 per bra and then put up with welting and rashes just because it’s a “good bra”. Damn. We deserve better than this.
Finally, I have been in touch with my Doctor, I’ve taken pictures of the reaction and am currently waiting for a supervisor to respond to my complaint (custumer service said it would take up to 24 hours). I will write a new post with the updates as soon as I can. Until then, please feel free to link and retweet this post so that your friends and readers are made aware of what I have learned has been called “Victoria’s dirty little secret”.
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33 comments ↓
I have a strapless bra that does the exact same thing to me!
Damn, like it’s not hard enough to find a good bra!
Miss Britt’s last blog post… I’m one of those annoying people who quotes movies. Constantly.
Oh my gosh, that sounds awful! Is it an ingredient in the dyes? I hope you feel better soon.
Diane’s last blog post… Girl Talk Thursday – Shoes
Wow. I can’t believe what I just read. How disturbing is it that they put formaldehyde in their bras? Why would that ever be o.k.? Keep us posted on what happens – I would be going straight to head office!! Good Luck.
Maria @BOREDmommy’s last blog post… Sunday Funny – Boobage
Been there, done that had to toss them out. I am with Britt, as if we dont have enough to worry about, and enough trouble finding a good bra. VS=fail
Shellie’s last blog post… Cooking w/Kids – PassPort to the World Program by GingerKidsFun.com
I am SHOCKED this is something that’s been happening with others who’ve bought their bras. Seriously? For all that we pay?
Oh and here’s another interesting point. My sister in law bought the same two bras at the same store (an Orlando outlet store interestingly) and has had no reaction. So I guess only some ppl have this happen. Maybe there are few enough people that Victoria Secret can keep manufacturing them at whatever discount they’ve worked out.
Regardless. Their brand has a reputation of making high end, well made products that are worth the investment… *WRONG*!!!!!
(Waiting for a call back from my OBGYN and pics have been taken.)
Oh, gosh. I’m appalled at the fact that they have put formaldehyde in their bras. How awful.
Get well soon!
FireMom’s last blog post… Stop the Presses: I HAVE LILIES!
No way! I recently wrote my own glowing post about Vicky’s Secret and the wondrousness of my new skivvies. It took a lot for me to shell out the dough, and I never would’ve expected anything like this. I hope your ta ta’s feel better soon. Thank you for sharing this information – and thanks for NOT sharing the pics. ;-)
Mary@Everyday Baby Steps’s last blog post… Join Me on MomTV For My Show, Everyday Answers
I’m thinking I’d call the dermatologist instead of the OB/Gyn…and then an attorney!! :)
I threw out a bra I bought this spring for same reason. Plus it occaisionally squeezed, which was, um, awkward. I thought it was some sizing or something on the surface of the fabric, but could not wash it out. Formaldehyde??? Sorry! Ouch, in July, too.
DANG! That is cuhrazy. I just tweeted a link to think post.
I read about this, too. I do get a wee bit itchy in some spots and blamed it on heat or laundry detergent… because I love the way my boobs look in these bras! Not sure how much longer I’ll go before giving up the poison. Maybe there’s a support group?
Sugar Jones’s last blog post… Jones Family Camping Trip: Part 1
I read this in my reader and never got over here to comment….
Add VS to my list of stores to avoid in the mall, right next to A&F and their wanna be store Hollister.
What I find most disturbing is the fact that they tried to shut those ladies up with free bras!
Lets not see what we can to to protect the consumer- let’s pretend like it doesn’t exist!
I 2nd the VS=Fail
Susan’s last blog post… Mommy Tip/Snack Bowl
Yet another reason to hate Vicky.
(I’m partial to raging against their sizing: Small=B cup, Medium=C cup, Large=D cup…..and if you aren’t one of those 3, well too bad for you, Miss Flatty and Ms. Knockers.
Elaine’s last blog post… A big day!
Hi, my name is Jennifer and I work for Victoria’s Secret. I read your post and wanted to make you aware of a Web page we have created to address questions you may have concerning our bras – particularly concerning formaldehyde. You can find it at http://www.limitedbrands.com/press/pressrelease.jsp. We are concerned about any issues our customers may have with our products and encourage you, or anyone who is experiencing issues, to contact us at 800-411-5116 or email us at customercare@victoriassecret.com.
Glad to see Victoria’s Secret responding here. Thank you Jennifer and the contact information is helpful for readers. I did think the formadehyde possibility seemed a little urban legend-ish. That being said, clearly quite a few customers have had the same allergic reaction I have so I hope VS is doing something to actually remedy this issue. I called customer service today and am looking forward to the supervisor’s call back soon.
Wow! I am so glad to finally realize what has happened to me. I have had a serious rash on my breast area since Dec. 2008, which is when I purchased my VS bra. It was fairly expensive, more than what I would normally pay for a bra but, the fit was the best I had ever had in a bra. Soon after, I got a serious rash and for months have been trying to figure out what is causing it. To this very day, I have gone to the dermatologist 4 times for tests and different medications to try and cure the rash, to no avail. After changing detergents (which I had been using the same one for years), I stopped using all body lotions and mists, all my perfumes, deleting certain spices in my food, etc., trying to figure out why I have this burning itching rash that looks like a bad case of the chicken pox or something, it finally hit me that maybe it could be my bra because that was the only area that I had a terrible rash. I decided to do some research on line and googled alergy to bra’s and found this website.
I have another follow up appt on August 4th with my dermatologist and now believe I know what the cause of my rash is; especially after looking at the video and seeing exactly the same rash that I have but, mine is much worse!!! I plan on bringing the bra with me.
I am FLOORED yet “relieved” to finally know what’s happening to me. At this point, it has been so long that my breat area is so scarred from the rash, itching, swelling and pain that I can no longer wear a top lower than my shoulder area. I am so afraid that the scars will not heal completely and I will be damaged for life! Or, a very long time, at best. I’m thinking about looking in to some type of surgery to restore that area. Before, my chest was flawless! I am a fairly young women (in my early 40′s) and now feel very self conscious about my breasy area and am embarrassed to remove my shirt in front of my own husband!!!!! This is horrible! I pray that there is a remedy, not just by way of REFUND for the dirty bra but, mainly for my flesh! I finally allowed my husband to see it and take pictures and he was horrified! I will definitely be contacting Victoria Secrets and then an attorney!
http://jonathanturley.org/2008/11/11/lawsuit-angels-secret-is-formaldehyde/
I thought I was just imagining the severity of the itchiness. The fact that I woke at night itchy I began to blame on dry skin or summer heat. I washed all my bras in fragrance free detergent. I used over the counter itch creams and sprays. I used expensive moisturizers. For four weeks I have been dealing with this thinking it was a crazy issue to take to my doctor. But, today, I got on line and it’s all over the web- Victoria Secret bras began manufacturing in China. Keeping the bottom line black, I guess. Keeping me red– literally. I’m going to my doctor today.
8/19/09, I am done with VS Bras after breaking out on three different occations this year. Each time I had been wearing a brand new VS Demi or VS Wave. I had been a loyal VS bra wearer for years. I returned all three bras and refuse to ever purchase another. The constant itching each time lasts 2 weeks and the rash covers the entire cup area. This is totally unacceptable…………my faith in VS is in the toilet.
9-10-09 I purchased 2 Body By Victoria Bras on 8-5-09. I developed a terrible red rash over both my beasts with blisters,this was so extremely itchy that it woke me up at night.I have been treated by both my family doctor and a surgeon.I was prescribed antibiotics,steroids and about 4 differant ceams and ointments.I had to undergo several tests to rule out breast cancer and a full thickness skin biopsy.So at this point I am still not wearing a bra.By the way the skin biopsy showed a severe allergic reaction.Needless to say I would never wear these bras again and have told every woman I know my story.Something should be done about this.
I also purchased VicS bras on 8/09 after my breast implants from last yr. (had to wait to buy a good underwire bra for several mths.)…I immediately developed a rash so bad that I was blaming the plastic surgeon…he said no connection…went to my primary Dr. only to be prescribed steroids….it took several weeks for the rash to go away…it was horrible, all over my breasts and below them….I finally was told by a friend last nite about the story of the “rashes”…which is a disappointment due to loving their bras and the special treatment when you go in to buy one…the girls are great and very helpful…so I just now contacted Customer Service and have asked to be reimbursed for the Dr’s visit…this is probably not going to happen but I do want my money back.
I have a brand new VS bra that the clerk said was made with newer/different materials than other VS bras. I have been wearing VS bras (3 different styles) for about 4-5 yrs. and never had a problem.
I wore the new bra yesterday for the first time and thought I was going to itch out of my mind/bra in a five hour board mtg. that was dominated by men. I’m going back to the store and want my old style back.
I bought 3 Victorias Secret Bras in L.A while I was there and 3 months ago. I have been getting bumps on my back that turn dark and scar and went to see my derma thinking I was breaking out on my back. She noticed that I only get bumps where my bra straps are on my shoulders and where it does up on my back. Then I noticed that I only get new bumps after I wear my VS bras. I feel like getting my bras tested to see whats in them. I wont be buying or wearing any more VS bras.
I’ve found that almost all bras use this nice soft padding nowadays. It started with my VS Very Sexy bras and I immediately stopped wearing them. The rashes were so bad that I had to skip work one day due to the inability to wear a shirt. I went to the doctor and he just said to stop wearing the bras.
I went to Kohls to buy a bunch of new ones and found that almost all bras have the soft padding that feels like a natural breast, and that is what makes me allergic. Does anybody know where you can get bras that “enhance” and do not have this padding?
I have had intense itching only on my breasts where my new victoria’s secret bra was. This has been going on for about 2 weeks. It helps to wash my chest at night before sleep, otherwise it keeps me up at night. very scary wondering what’s in the bra and what’s in my system now.
I find the VS post from the employ very funny. Obviously she has not experienced this itching rash. VS is totally irresponsible to not address this issue admit fault and make things right with us. I have been a loyal VS bra shopper for 12+ years. I am so disappointed that this company would treat their loyal customers like this. I purchased my culprit bra in August of 2009. It was probably my 25th bra I have owned from the. I too have suffered with this rash for 5 1/2 months thinking I had parasites using very unhealthy doctor perscribed parasite creams, mental stress of worrying about some horrible disease to only narrow it down by myself and realize the rash only showed up and got worse when I wore my Very Sexy Push Up Bra.
Shame on you VS that you will not own up to this but in the end you will pay. We are not making this up and many of us have scars to prove it, pictures and all the testimonies from these other needless sufferers. You should have come clean back in 2008. You have let this go on far too long. I have NEVER been allergic to anything. I am 45 years old, great health and bought your tainted product that has caused much stress, over a $1000 of uneeded treatment bills, loss of quality time with my family and now extreme anger after reading all these 100′s of post from other sufferers. We will join together because in the end the truth always prevails. Please feel free to contact me anyone who would like to join together and end VS’s neglegence.
Last week I bought a new bra from Victoria’s Secret. Today I am going to dermatologist with a horrible, itching, painful & rapidly spreading rash. A friend mentioned the VS bras and I, of course, go online and could not believe what I was reading. I wear VS bras and have had similar reactions but none this severe. I never thought about it being the bras. Always thought dry skin, sweat, etc. Please let me know how to join the class action lawsuit should I find out that is what my rash if from. VS needs to be held accountable for sure. I am requesting the allergy patch test today.
it is not formaldehyde, it is morgellons ( can just be bites with no fibers you see until the disease progresses ) from a bioengineered pesticide fabric. Engineered with a GMO bacteria implanted in the fiber to eat the bacteria from your sweat so it stays clean and odor free ( like women are really that sweaty… ) I can email you a document from Dartmouth of the paper the creators presented on this work.
I fear this has happened to me as well and I can’t believe what I’m reading! Now I don’t even know which bras are safe. How long did it take for your itching to go away? Are you wearing any of your older VS bras? I am going to try to return mine this weekend, but am scared to wear anything with the fear that the itching could start up again. My itching has decreased but I would hate to go back to square one – it was awful! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
For almost one year I have suffered with a rash that followed along the bottom lines of my Victoria Secret Push Up bras and up the center of my chest. At one point ,I thought “I have skin cancer.” I went to a Dermatologist several months ago and he was not sure what it was but gave me a topical med to put on it. Sometimes it seemed to get better and then it would get worse. Two weeks ago a light finally went on in my brain and I thought, ” it’s my bra.” I start wearing my old bras and sure enough the rash started going away. Yesterday I googled ” Victoria Secret Bra Al….and before I could type in the next L up popped Allergies. To make a long story short I contacted MEDHELP who documented what I had to say so they could report to the EPA and they gave me a ph# to Victoria Secret. I have since been assigned a case number and they want me to send the bras back to them. I will keep you posted. Thanks, for the formaldehyde, China!!!!!!!!
I just developed a raging case of welts and then a systemic rash requiring Decadron IM injection, Allegra tab, high doses of prednisone. My breast areas that is excoriated encircles my breast where the underwire rest on the proximal area of both breast. I itched like crazy. Checking for bugs. Then thought I may have Inflammatory Breast Cancer as the pictures looked very similar. It started on one breast then a few days later both were swollen, reddened, hot to touch, and extremely itchy. I couldnt sleep without benadry. I then found this site and Roberta Ritters situation on GMA abc news. This has been going on and VS has brushed it under the rug. Obviously, there has been no resolution or attempt to find the cause, other than test state-side. We all know that china’s products have a history that leaves a lot to be desired. Many products from China have been recalled-why not this? VS has great fitting bras. They need to act and resolve this situation. Victoria Secret has an obligation to their consumers to produce SAFE articles of clothing to the public. A recall is alot cheaper to fix and restore my faith as a customer, than to face a lawsuit that would inevitably destroy the trust of VS. Climaco, John ATTY from Cleveland has a history of being involved in this case. I dont know him. Has good impressive resume’ though. If enough contact him maybe we can push further for resolution.
I purchased an ambrielle bra from JCP and had the exact reaction, there is something in these padded foamy bras that is causing this awful allergic reaction. mine lasted two weeks and I thought the itching was going to drive me insane. I am sad to say it is not just the VS bras. One thing though they all have in common, they are all made in China.
Even though I thought it might be the new bra, I treated my whole body for scabies after itching so badly I couldn’t sleep for two weeks. I hadn’t worn the bra since then (a couple months) because I was concerned. This weekend was a holiday party – I wanted to look “perky” so I wore it just for the evening….. ay yai ai!!!!!!!!!! Itching and burning is worse now a couple of days later… how can they still be selling this harmful product?!!!!
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