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bdsm medical play

Temperature Play vs. Chemical Play

October 27, 2021 By Joji Sada 3 Comments

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More than once, I have talked about definitions.  I have learned over the years that compatible definitions prevent miscommunication.  

It wasn’t until recently that I came to understand my definition of temperature play was not the same as the broader community.  To me, temperature play is any type of play that brings intentional hot or cold sensation to the skin.  In my experiences with temperature play, I have had wax, ice, anbesol, capsaicin cream, and icy hot used.  

For perspective, I need to express how sensitive my skin is.  I have three conditions that affect me the most.  

Cold Urticaria is an allergy to cold.  It causes intense itchiness, hives, and swelling of the skin that was exposed.  A cold glass (such as a drink with ice in it) can cause my hands to swell if held for more than 2 or 3 minutes.

Cholinergic Urticaria is an allergy to heat.  It causes intense itchiness and hives.  I rarely swell from the heat, but it happens occasionally.  I wear driving gloves in the summer to allow me to touch my steering wheel to drive to work.  A hot cup of cocoa or a hot plate of dinner are often too much to touch my bare skin.

Dermatographia (Skin writing disease) is a sensitivity of the skin that causes any kind of surface scratch (meaning no skin is broken) to turn into welts or hives.  Something as simple as nails across my skin can welt for a couple of hours and look like I was in a fight.

All three of these are treated with antihistamines like Benadryl.  I am allergic to those.

As I am sure you can imagine, my kink looks different than yours.  I know which sensations affect me more than others and Master will decide how we play depending on the condition of my body at the time.  Ice is the hardest for me to play with.  So, we do not often use it.  Cold is the second hardest since it takes me hours to warm back up.  We play with that more often (such as having the playroom cooled with a fan or AC).  It tends to intensify the sensations of impact without cold implements touching my skin.  

Now that I have expressed how sensitive my skin is, let me explain that I am allergic to most chemicals.  I have a specific body soap, shampoo, and laundry detergent I can use.  I often break into hives just by touching everyday objects that have minimal residue from other people.  

If you can hear the frustrations of testing the waters of temperature play over the years, then I am sure you are snickering at my misfortune.  Now, we simply shrug off the physical representations (like hives) and Master pays more attention to my body language and verbal communication.


Whew.

That was a lot of physical limitations to cover, wasn’t it?  Are you wondering how I function?  Don’t worry, some days I do too.

Master and I enjoy pushing ourselves.  Which, in turn, means people believe we play risky.  If you watch us scene, I often finish with excessive welting.  I refuse to allow my skin to prevent my ability to explore different types of play.

So, back to where this conversation started.

Temperature play.

Since my skin has such unique reactions to everyday items, I have always counted temperature play as anything that affects my skin.  Things like icy hot, which burn me, fall under “hot” sensations.  Things like anbesol, which can turn your nerve endings to ice when combines with a fan, fall under “cold” sensations.

I got into a debate with someone about my definitions.  “Because,” they said, “you are advocating for chemical play, not temperature play.”

Well, I had honestly never thought about it.  

But I had to ask myself one major question, “does definition matter?”

Between Master and I, this new categorization did not matter.  Why?  Because He and I are aware of my medical issues, and we adjust accordingly.  I am physically affected by both chemical and natural compounds.  So, what we call it isn’t that important as long as we play safely.

However, my definition does matter in regard to the education I provide to the local community. Temperature play and chemical play has different safety measures that should be considered.  

So, I am going to share with you some of the differences I have learned.

Firstly, both types of play fall under an umbrella term: Sensation Play.

Sensation play is basically any type of play that is intentionally meant to push the sensory limits of an individual.  This can include soft touches (like feathers), hot and cold sensations (such as the use of fire, ice, or wax), sharp touches (like pinwheels or needles), varying textures (like sandpaper), or the removal of one sensation to enhance other sensations (such as blindfolds or noise cancelling headphones).

If we are being honest, I would say 75% of play can fall under this umbrella.  So, the key is that Sensation Play is about intent.

Then we have Temperature and Chemical play.

Temperature play is the use of naturally occurring items (like ice) that cause the body temperature to rise or fall.  This can be an entire body experience (such as playing outside in inclement weather) or localized to singular spots on the body.

It has been specified to me, by a couple of people, that I am no longer allowed to consider urine/water sports as temperature play.  It, apparently, requires its own negotiation and classification.

It is generally expected that the temperature changes need to happen on bare skin, but I am not opposed to the idea that playing naked in 20-degree weather or playing fully dressed in a sweat suit in the summer, falls under this category.

**Please beware of the hazards of heat stroke and/or hypothermia if attempting the aforementioned ideas**


For the following discussion, please understand that I do not advocate the attempt of this type of play, nor do I advocate the use of any of the chemicals listed, on anyone beyond myself. I use the acronym P.R.I.C.K (Personal Risk, Informed Consensual Kink).  You are all adults.  What you do with your partner and/or with your body is your responsibility.

Chemical Play is the use of chemicals to produce a specific reaction or sensation on the body.  The most common items are tabasco, icy hot, rubbing alcohol, peppermint/spearmint, and ginger.

The most fascinating aspect, to me, is that many of these items fall under more than one type of play.  

  • Rubbing alcohol, for example, can be lit (by either a source of fire or electricity) and now you may be taking part in fire and/or electrical play.  
  • Ginger oil would fall under chemical play due to its reactions with the excretions of the body.  But ginger root, which causes similar reactions, falls under food play.
  • Tabasco creates a similar burning that icy hot does.  However, because it is edible, it also falls under food play.
  • Peppermint/Spearmint can cause cooling, burning, or numbing sensations.  They can increase sensitivity in the mouth and genitals.  The sensation can come from chemical sources (such as mouthwash), natural food items (such as mints, gum, candy), or artificial chemical means (such as anbesol—which does not taste like peppermint but creates the same sensations).
  • By definition, wax is also a type of chemical play.  However, it is generally considered its own entity.

*Regardless of the type of chemical play you may decide to play in, I recommend testing your reaction on a small, generally non-sensitive patch of skin first.  The forearm or leg are a great place to start…before deciding to use it as lube.


Whether you want to delve into temperature play, chemical play, or any other type of play that crosses over, the most important advice I can give is to know your partner.  Beyond their limits, know their reactions.

Master and I are aware that many of the items we use will cause a reaction on my skin.  Hives are something that we most often just brush aside.  He knows to look for a reaction like dizziness or excessive lethargy to signify a more substantial reaction that may need medical intervention.

However, if anyone else is on his table, and he sees hives or welts (beyond the expected results of the type of play), he will call the scene and move into aftercare/medical mode.  

It is always important to include allergies when you negotiate.  As I mentioned above, hives are often treated with medications like Benadryl.  Benadryl, if given to me, causes seizures. I would rather deal with the hives and the itchiness than the seizures.  

My restrictions make me extremely cautious regarding pick-up play.  My style of negotiation (blanket consent) does not give me the personal freedom of experimenting with anyone outside of Master (or anyone Master chooses). These are my choices.

But, that does not mean you cannot experiment.  If you have medical issues, you need to remember a couple important points.

  1. Advocate for yourself.  Do not compromise your health.  Know your allergies, your reactions, your cures.  
  2. Medications taken and allergies (to medication or otherwise) should always be disclosed to your partner.
  3. Keep your emergency contact information within reach.  On the off chance that you become non-responsive, your play partner should know who to contact, whether 911 is necessary or not.
  4. Respect the preferences of your potential partner.  If they do not feel comfortable having a scene with someone with medical restrictions, respect that.  Patience is difficult, but your safety is worth it.
  5. Allow yourself to work within your limits for pick-up play.  I recommend pushing limits with a more permanent partner or one intimately familiar with your restrictions.

And, above all, know your partner’s definitions.


My name is Joji.  I am 29 years old currently and I have been in and around the kink community about 15 years.I am a collared submissive to Magick42.  I am also a Daddy to a wonderful babygirl, and have been for more than three years now and I find it very fulfilling.  I am being mentored in and being taught electroplay.  I am a masochist at heart and thoroughly love impact play, especially caning.  I enjoy reading anything I can get my hands on and am a die hard Harry Potter and Doctor Who fan.  I am also the secretary for a group in Idaho called Moscow S.P.A.R.K.E (Simply Providing Another Route to Kink Education).  It is our mission to teach safe practices to those new to the community and give them a safe haven to ask questions and learn without judgement.  We accept all kinks and all we ask in return is respect between all our members.

Tagged With: bdsm, bdsm community, bdsm medical play, bdsm play, bdsm relationship, bdsm scene, dominant, fetish, kink, submissive, temperature play

BDSM 101: Cleaning before Anal Play or Anal Sex

April 2, 2021 By Kinky Assignments 3 Comments

Interested in Anal Play?

Then check out this amazing video brought to us by Sam from Kinky Assignments!

BDSM 101: Cleaning before Anal Play or Anal Sex

Tagged With: anal play, anal sex, bdsm medical play, bdsm play, bdsm relationship, bdsm safety, bdsm scene

Video: Medical Play

December 19, 2020 By Evie Lupine 2 Comments

Interested in medical play?

Want to know how to implement it safely?

Then, check out this awesome video by Evie Lupine!

BDSM 101: Medical Play

Tagged With: bdsm, bdsm medical play, bdsm play, bdsm relationship, bdsm scene, fetish, kink, medical play

Medical Play, the Next Level!

November 7, 2016 By Baadmaster 2 Comments

This is kinkweekly.com’s second article on medical play. The first one – “The Doctor Is In: Medical Play” — was basically an introduction. We not only examined the inherent D/s roots of medical play, but we also explained basic play for beginners and listed much of the entry level equipment — examination tables, speculums, Wattenberg pinwheels, tongue depressors, bandages, thermometers, reflex hammers, scopes, etc. Using most of these medical toys and role-play scenarios are pretty self-explanatory. Just tie your slave to the examination table, spread the stirrups and play away. (With a safe word, of course!)

But now let’s take it a little further. First on tap – The “TENS” unit.

The “TEN” in “TENS unit” is actually an acronym for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator. It is a specially modified electrical pulse generator that was originally intended for actual medical use.

A TENS unit causes low levels of intermittent pain which appears to produce endorphins. Since a rush of endorphins is presumed to cause the phenomenon of subspace, and a TENS unit can stimulate the body’s production of endorphins, it was only a matter of time before some Dom/me tried it on his/her submissive. Amazing! And what better place is there than your “medical office” to use a TENS unit? Just do not course the current across the heart area.

Needle play in a medical scene is a natural — although needle play is not solely done in medical scenes. Often called “play piercings,” these are temporary piercings.

In any medical scene with needles, your approach to sterility should mirror that of an actual doctor. Sterility is essential, from the needles you buy to the play areas in your “office.” When you buy your piercing needles, some medical supply houses offer ethylene oxide gas sterilization. Once sterilized in this way, the items are sealed in plastic and are germ free until you use them. (Always use needles ONCE and throw them away as medical waste.)

Before you start your play-piercing session, wash your hands thoroughly with a hospital quality anti-bacterial soap. Latex examination gloves should be placed on both hands immediately after washing. The submissive’s skin should also be toweled with alcohol or an anti-bacterial wash. You should have all these products on hand, neatly arranged on your medical table, so that the doctor role-play and sterility precautions merge seamlessly. In needle play, sterility isn’t everything, it’s the only thing!

Now it’s time to get really deep into medical play. (If you want to!) We’re talking about urethral play – using penis plugs and urethral sounds! And although I will describe this type of play, it is wise to learn it from an experienced Top. That said, here is a good overview.

A penis plug is a smooth metal rod designed to be inserted into the urethra. In the hands of an experienced Top, a penis plug makes the penis more sensitive and intensifies orgasm. This is usually done in the context of medical scene; it can really add to the Dom/sub dynamic.

But it is in a urethral sounds scene where medical role play can truly approximate reality – after all, sounds are actual medical devices; they are used for dilating the urethra for medical exams. (Note: in both penis plug and sounds play, do not skimp on the lube – and always have a safe word!)

Urethral sounds can also be used to magnify sexual pleasure; many subs get off on the feeling of having their urethra stretched and played with. Being longer and slimmer than the penis plug (sounds are sold in sets of assorted widths and lengths), they can even reach and stimulate the bladder. As these are truly medical devices that require major skills to use, working with an experienced Top would be a great place to start.

As we have explained in our previous article, the fun of medical role-play is that the Dom/sub dynamic is already built in. When a real life doctor (or nurse) says, “Time to examine your urethra,” you let the doctor do it. This hierarchy continues into BDSM medical role-play – without the constraints of a real doctor/nurse/patient relationship.
The world of medical play runs from “hot nurse role-play” all the way to needle and urethral play.

But I have to go; it’s time to give my submissive a medical exam!

By BaadMaster
After a ten year run as head writer for the legendary bondage.com, and an equally long run as the host of the hit internet show “Baadmaster’s Dungeon,” we are pleased to welcome the one and only Baadmaster to KinkWeekly. His thoughts about all things BDSM will now appear regularly on these pages. From the mental aspects of D/s to the nuts and bolts of S&M play, Baadmaster will cover every facet of this ever expanding lifestyle.

Tagged With: bdsm medical play, kink, medical paly, scene, scene ideas

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