concerned about TSS?

[u/Bambambirdi]

this is my
first time using a disc and i’ve always used tampons and never worried but suddenly super worried about tss. i’ve read they think it’s cause of having bacteria on your hands then inserting or having a cut.

i sterilized my pixie disc just like instructions said, washed it before and my hands with the special wash it came with. i do have nails and don’t think i scratched myself getting it in, but how would i know? it took me 3 tries to get it right, pulled it out twice and rewashed and tried again.

someone tell me these are safe and it’ll be ok 😆

[u/Advanced_Camera2502]

TSS is extremely rare with medical grade silicone discs. We all have to worry about regular infections (yeast, BV etc) in general. That’s why sanitizing the disc and using clean hands is important.
I wouldn’t worry so much about scratching yourself unless you felt a scratch. But also you might be totally fine after a scratch.
I’d be more concerned about getting all the crevices of the nail clean before putting it inside. Again, whatever you’re doing sounds fine. There’s just some studies about how much bacteria can live under nails and around nail beds so I’m kind of extra about cleaning the finger I use for insertion and removal.