It is all fun until...
Several years ago, I had a client who had progressed to play that included Golden Showers. The Dungeon at the time had a space with an open shower and toilet, and he had shown that he was earnest in his desire to Play that way. It is a time I remember fondly. Until I almost sent him to the hospital.
I have a waiver and questionnaire that I have all of my in-person clients fill out. It is not unusual, as the intense nature of BDSM play can be dangerous, and a knowing, and willing, client is always preferable. Part of the questionnaire is a medical disclosure form, basic, but covers things that could make some scenes dangerous if not taken into consideration. I assumed at the time that the client had filled it out accurately.
I no longer assume that.
That day, there was a bit of wax play, some flogging and it segued into the shower for the wet part of the session. It was fun, and it was sexy… until I saw he was starting to have problems breathing. I stopped the session, tried rinsing him off where a rash was starting and also tried to get him to tell me how he was feeling.
I finally was able to pry out of him that he couldn’t breathe, he was itchy and he was feeling just unwell. It clicked for me and I made him take some antihistamines. And we called his emergency contact.
Let me back up.
About a week before, I started having UTI symptoms. It happens. So, I pushed fluids in the form of cranberry juice, choked down goldenseal and manganese and had a full prescription of antibiotics. I was still taking the pills when I met my client.
There was nothing in his medical questionnaire about being allergic to the antibiotics I was taking. In fact, when I rechecked, he hadn’t put anything in about an obvious scar on his leg, too. He failed as a client and a sub. I failed as his Dom for not making sure.
Along with other research I do for other portions of my life, I started looking into absorption rates and such for not only the pills I was taking, but of other medications. It is scary how much just does not get absorbed in most medications when taken in pill form. And it is also scary the scant amount it takes to make someone react when there is an allergy.
Keeping my horrific story in mind, you or your play partner may react during a session because of a sensitivity or allergy to anything. Most of the time, you won’t even know that the slight headache or redness is a reaction at the time. If you have mild symptoms, it can be easy to overlook. Any severe allergy needs to be kept in mind for any play and worked around.
The things you do not think about until too late are what can ruin a situation. Allergy to shellfish? You may react to red cosmetics or dye with carmine as it’s base. Your partner has food allergies? Make sure you don’t eat it for several days before you let them eat your ass. Latex allergies? Gloves, condoms, dildoes and more are available in other materials. Bee allergy? Some people are so sensitive that even beeswax candles can set it off. Even using a lotion with wheat derivatives can make a Celiac uncomfortable and then fully react in the time you have them bound and suspended.
If you have an allergy or sensitivity, make sure you keep your medicines in your play bag. Know your body. And if you play with someone who has an allergy, keep an extra set of meds with you, and know how to use all of it, up to and including an Epi-Pen. Keep a list of emergency contacts for yourself and your partner in your bag, too, just in case. Know how to deal with things, and when to call in for help. Emergency personnel have seen it all, so don't worry about that. Medical play is a great thing, but please make sure you know what you are doing in a real medical emergency.
Playing with our fantasies in a BdSm situation is wonderful. Keep in mind that fantasy can be smashed when reality takes your ability to function because of a medical issue. As a Dom, it is a responsibility, and a privilege, to take care of both.
See you in the Bennadryl aisle.
Miss R
The Leathermines.com
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