E-Toy

Condition

TENS

Violet
Wand

Telephone
Magneto

Other

Notes

General Health Notes

Blocked Milk Ducts

Ö

Broken bones in the foot

Ö

Burns

Ö

Ö

Burns on nipples

Ö

Subbie swatter

Cystitis

Ö

Cystitis

Ö

With insertable urethral electrodes

Electrolyte Replacement

Ö

Ö

Ö

Ö

With prolonged (continuous hours) of E-Play

Hyper-sensitivity to electrical stimulation

Ö

Ö

Ö

Ö

With any form of E-Play

Metallic poisoning from electrodes

Ö

With internal or external electrodes

Muscle cramps or sprains, Tight/stiff muscles

Ö

Ö

Ö

Ö

Also EMS E-Toys

Post Play Hummm

Ö

Post Play Numbness

Ö

Rash

Ö

Sharp, unexpected sensations

Ö

Ö

Slowed Heart Rate?

Ö

Tearing of tissue in the anus

Ö

Unverified and suspect report

Health Effect:

Blocked Milk Duct

Symptom(s):

Temporary inability to lactate from nipple. Also swelling and soreness lasting about a week.

E-Toy Type:

Symptoms are associated with use of the Violet Wand in Lightning Hands mode where sparks were allowed to jump to nipple.

Report Type:

Anecdotal

Approximate Frequency:

One report from woman who experienced condition.

Commentary:

(Educated Guess, but not medically verified) Possibly due to the heating effect of the Violet Wand arcs and the close proximity of the woman's milk ducts to the skin surface of the nipple.

Suggested Prevention:

Make this discussion an aspect of pre-play negotiations. If condition manifests on partner, discontinue spark play on nipples.

Health Effect:

Broken bones in the foot

Symptom(s):

Pain in the foot. Inability to walk comfortably. Swelling.

E-Toy Type:

Telephone Magneto

Report Type:

Anecdotal

Approximate Frequency:

At least one incident reported

Commentary:

When a telephone magneto is used in E-Play (such as in military interrogation scenes), sometimes electrodes are placed on the soles of the feet. The resulting muscular twitching can be severe enough to fracture some of the smaller bones of the foot.

Suggested Prevention:

Avoid doing telephone magneto play on the soles of the feet. Larger muscle masses over stronger bones such as the buttocks or the thighs. Calves may be used, but there might be a tendency to cramp or get stiff.

Health Effect:

Burns

Symptom(s):

Localized narrow (1-3 mm in width) red welts appearing in area or a path where a metallic implement used in Violet Wand play touched the skin--Second Degree Burn

E-Toy Type:

The third symptom is associated where metallic implements such as knife blades, neural wheels, or even medical safety scissors are used in 'lightning hands' Violet Wand play.

Report Type:

Anecdotal

Approximate Frequency:

Not uncommon amongst the general BDSM population. Many players have observed these effects.

Commentary:

(Educated Guess, but not medically verified) The arc of the Violet Wand is a small but effective heat source that can dry out the surrounding skin area if the arc is allowed to dwell over that area. It is even possible to cause minute first or second degree burns under the same circumstances. Sometimes this would allow opportunistic infections to start in these areas.

Players should be aware of the potential of leaving marks and decide if that is an acceptable aspect of the play.

Suggested Prevention:

Make this discussion an aspect of pre-play negotiations.

Health Effect:

Burns on nipples

Symptom(s):

Scar tissue was observed on the nipple after numerous strokes of a subbie swatter

E-Toy Type:

Subbie swatter

Report Type:

Personal Anecdote

Approximate Frequency:

One reported case

Commentary:

(Educated Guess, but not medically verified) The subbie swatter uses a capacitive discharge circuit to produce its effect. When touched to the skin, its capacitor discharges its energy to the skin. Sometimes a spark can be seen.

There is sufficient electrical energy in each discharge resulting in a small release of heat energy. If done repeatedly over a short period of time, there may be a sufficient accumulation of heat energy to cause a burn.

Suggested Prevention:

Make this discussion an aspect of pre-play negotiations. Avoid multipul strikes on the nipple area over short periods of time.

Health Effect:

Cystitis

Symptom(s):

Inflammation of the external vaginal area around the urethra

E-Toy Type:

Associated with prolonged use of the Violet Wand where the arc is allowed to dwell over the same area in the vaginal region. This is even possible (although no such cases have been reported) with a TENS Unit.

Report Type:

Anecdotal

Approximate Frequency:

Reports rare but relatively easy to manifest.

Commentary:

(Educated Guess, but not medically verified) The arc of the Violet Wand is a small but effective heat source that can dry out the surrounding skin area if the arc is allowed to dwell over that area. It is even possible to cause minute (1-3 mm) second degree burns under the same circumstances. This would allow opportunistic infections to start in these areas, and thence to migrate into the urethral tract.

Cystitis must be treated by a doctor.

Suggested Prevention:

Do not allow the Violet Wand to dwell on any one area in the pubic region.

Health Effect:

Cystitis

Symptom(s):

Inflammation of the urethra

E-Toy Type:

Associated with urethral insertable electrodes used with a TENS Unit.

Report Type:

Anecdotal

Approximate Frequency:

None reported, but possible

Commentary:

Cystitis must be treated by a doctor.

Suggested Prevention:

Clean all insertable electrodes thoroughly.

Health Effect:

Electrolyte Replacement

Symptom(s):

Tiredness or weakness after prolonged E-Play

E-Toy Type:

Any type of E-Toy

Report Type:

Not seen or reported yet. Advisory

Approximate Frequency:

Not seen or reported yet. Advisory

Commentary:

Suggested Prevention:

Avoid continuous hours of prolonged play. Take periodic rests and allow the receiver to replenish electrolytes with such things as bananas or 'Gatoraid'(TM). Extreme cases could lead to shock--a life threatening condition that requires immediate medical care.

Health Effect:

Hyper-sensitivity to electrical stimulation

Symptom(s):

Severe muscle and nerve soreness at points of electrical contact lasting for a week or more

E-Toy Type:

Any type of E-Toy

Report Type:

One case reported.

Approximate Frequency:

Extremely rare.

Commentary:

Suggested Prevention:

Must be identified during negotiations and respected by both parties. Special insulating precautions need to planned and observed for tops so identified.

Health Effect:

Metallic Poisoning from Electrodes

Symptom(s):

Various - dependent on electrode material

E-Toy Type:

Associated with internal and external electrodes used with a TENS Unit.

Report Type:

Anecdotal - Often appearing in mailing lists as a concern

Approximate Frequency:

No specific cases reported, but concerns crop up from time to time

Commentary:

Suggested Prevention:

Metallic allergies should be identified during negotiations. Knowledge of the nature and science of metallic poisonings will safegard against undo panic.

Health Effect:

Muscle cramps or sprains, Tight/stiff muscles

Symptom(s):

Muscle soreness or stiffness. Cramping may also be present.

E-Toy Type:

Generally TENS Units, but also possible with other electrical toys.

Report Type:

Anecdotal

Approximate Frequency:

One case reported

Commentary:

Prolonged use of EMS E-Toys on a particular muscle group can result in a condition known as tetany, i.e., muscular cramping.

Suggested Prevention:

Avoid prolonged intense electrical sensations affecting muscles causing the receiver to struggle against any restraints. This should be addressed during negotiations. Also the Top/Dom(ma) should be prepared to massage the receiver's muscles in the event they are cramped or sore.

Health Effect:

Post Play Hummm (Named from description on YaHoo Electrosex Club)

Symptom(s):

Symptoms are not considered undesirable by the majority of players that have reported same.

E-Toy Type:

TENS Units

Report Type:

Anecdotal

Approximate Frequency:

One report of the second set of symptoms (personal observation)

Commentary:

(Educated Guess, but not medically verified) No citations of this phenomenon have been observed in the medical literature. It is probably akin to like 'hitting one's funny bone' or having one's arm 'fall asleep'.

Suggested Prevention:

Be aware of this possibility in your assessment of play risk. Avoid prolonged stimulation.

Health Effect:

Post Play Numbness

Symptom(s):

E-Toy Type:

TENS Units

Report Type:

Anecdotal

Approximate Frequency:

One report on E-Mail list

Commentary:

(Educated Guess, but not medically verified) No citations of this phenomenon have been observed in the medical literature. It is probably similar to the Post Play Hummm described above.

Suggested Prevention:

Be aware of this possibility in your assessment of play risk. Avoid prolonged stimulation.

Health Effect:

Rash

Symptom(s):

E-Toy Type:

Violet Wand

Report Type:

Anecdotal (Reported on YaHoo Violet Ray E-Group).

Approximate Frequency:

Two reports on E-Mail list

Commentary:

(Educated Guess, but not medically verified) This might be an extreme case of mild first degree burns form of Violet Wand play on especially sensitive shin (see Burns). Another thought suggested by E-Mail was the possibility of promotion of hystimines on especially sensitive skin thereby causing an allergy-like rash. This was because Benadryl seemed to clear it up.

Suggested Prevention:

Be aware of this possibility in your assessment of play risk. Avoid prolonged stimulation. If this manifests on partner, topical application of Benadryl may work.

Health Effect:

Sharp, unexpected sensations

Symptom(s):

Sharp, unexpected sensations (which may or may not be considered painful by the recipient) that feel like an arc touching at an electrode point. (This should be differentiated from intentional sharp sensations in pursuit of play.)

E-Toy Type:

TENS Unit electrodes and the Violet Wand's 'Body Contact Pad' used in 'lightning hands' play.

Report Type:

Anecdotal

Approximate Frequency:

Common

Commentary:

If the entire electrode surface is in good contact with the skin, then the current is uniformly distributed across the surface. This affects all nerve cells covered by the electrode equally (approximately). However, if the electrode is not in uniform contact (i.e., lower relative surface area), the same amount of current will affect less nerve cells. Hence the sensation will be more intense.

Suggested Prevention:

Secure electrodes well so that they don't move during play. Conductive gel may also mitigate this effect.

Health Effect:

Slowed Heart Rate?

Symptom(s):

Perceived body weakness after prolonged TENS Unit play in the upper thorax region. Generally condition is short-lived.

E-Toy Type:

TENS Unit

Report Type:

Anecdotal

Approximate Frequency:

Two reported cases in a survey of 30 respondees from 800 members of the YaHoo ElectroSex Club.

Commentary:

(Educated Guess, but not medically verified) No citations of this phenomenon have been observed in the medical literature. It could be possibly associated with an effect on the Vegas nerve--involved generally with regulation and pacing of organs such as the heart. But this particular mechanism in this phenomenon has not been demonstrated or even investigated by medical researchers.

Suggested Prevention:

NOTE: If you have a known heart condition or wear a pacemaker, E-Play or E-Stim is contra-indicated.

Health Effect:

Tearing of tissues in anus

Symptom(s):

One report (unverified and suspect -- see below) of SexTek's Electro Ball electrode coming apart while inside a player's anus, thereby causing internal tearing of tissue in the anus and requiring hospitalization.

E-Toy Type:

SexTek's Electro Ball -- a TENS Unit electrode

Report Type:

Anecdotal -- reported on Electrosex2 YaHoo list (see Messages 5732, 5740, and 5741 in March, 2002. A photo of the damaged electrode was included)

Approximate Frequency:

Only 1 case reported

Commentary:

The SexTek electrode in question is constructed using a soft, malleable copper wire inside an insulating sleave. This is attached to a plated steel ball that is used inside the anus. The wire is bendable to allow proper placement inside the anus. It is possible to achieve a fracture of the wire, but it would take many repeated rapid bendings at the point of fracture--a condition not likely to be found in the normal practice of E-Play/Stim.

Suggested Prevention:

Inspect all electrodes--especially internal ones--before play use. Make sure there are no sharp edges and that the electrode is mechanically sound.