Allergy Life
I have a lot of allergies. They're not fatal; I'm just not going to feel good. If I get exposed to dust, I'll have hay fever symptoms and my skin will itch and burn. I might end up with tonsillitis or a sinus infection. I have been known to pass out in Wonder Woman pajamas from Walmart on the bathroom floor. I refuse to die in cheap Walmart pajamas, in the damn bathroom. I refuse! This isn't happening! That was a combination of dust, soy, and probably the plant extracts in all the makeup I was depotting that day. I passed out, hit my head, and injured my stretched ears. Probably should have been more concerned about the possibility of concussion, but...my ears?!
When you pass out and incur injury, it's harder to pretend this isn't happening. It's real, y'all. So I have to take my allergies a little more seriously. I can't say "Oh, there's probably not enough chamomile in that lotion to bother me" while completely accepting red hands as a normal effect of friction from application. Your skin care and makeup's job is to make you feel good and if it's failing, it needs to be fired.
I had to go to the dermatologist this week because of a stupid rash on my face. The doctor said it's from allergies, and that it's probably either mild eczema or contact dermatitis. He chose contact dermatitis for the sake of something to put in the computer, but I did say about 500 times that it flares up when I've eaten things I react to. It flared after peanut butter. I do not rub peanut butter into my face, but peanuts cross-react with both birch and grass. He gave me some cortisone to calm it down. We reviewed skin care. Apparently, I have sensitive skin on top of being allergic to everything. I am a delicate fucking flower.
Alrighty, you ready to see this stupid rash? I know, just what everyone wants -- to look at someone's rash.
This is from using a coconut oil product with sunflower oil in it for a couple of weeks without having read the label. It's something I bought before I started respecting my allergies. I thought I'd already weeded out problematic products, and didn't check the label. I got a rash, and a zit. Thanks for that, sunflower oil. The sunflower made the rash worse than usual, but I usually have a paler version of it in the same place, right along my lower jawline. And it's on both sides.
Some of the problematic ingredients I encounter in products (not an exhaustive list):
When you pass out and incur injury, it's harder to pretend this isn't happening. It's real, y'all. So I have to take my allergies a little more seriously. I can't say "Oh, there's probably not enough chamomile in that lotion to bother me" while completely accepting red hands as a normal effect of friction from application. Your skin care and makeup's job is to make you feel good and if it's failing, it needs to be fired.
I had to go to the dermatologist this week because of a stupid rash on my face. The doctor said it's from allergies, and that it's probably either mild eczema or contact dermatitis. He chose contact dermatitis for the sake of something to put in the computer, but I did say about 500 times that it flares up when I've eaten things I react to. It flared after peanut butter. I do not rub peanut butter into my face, but peanuts cross-react with both birch and grass. He gave me some cortisone to calm it down. We reviewed skin care. Apparently, I have sensitive skin on top of being allergic to everything. I am a delicate fucking flower.
Alrighty, you ready to see this stupid rash? I know, just what everyone wants -- to look at someone's rash.
This is from using a coconut oil product with sunflower oil in it for a couple of weeks without having read the label. It's something I bought before I started respecting my allergies. I thought I'd already weeded out problematic products, and didn't check the label. I got a rash, and a zit. Thanks for that, sunflower oil. The sunflower made the rash worse than usual, but I usually have a paler version of it in the same place, right along my lower jawline. And it's on both sides.
Some of the problematic ingredients I encounter in products (not an exhaustive list):
- Chamomile and it's derivative, bisabolol. They started putting bisabolol in my Aquaphor.
- Sage
- Sunflower oil, sunflower lecithin, any sunflower product
- Soy lecithin, soybean oil, soy protein -- not necessarily any soy product. I think soy-based glycerin is okay but I wouldn't say it definitely is; I patch tested and had no immediate reaction though, and I'd react to soy oil immediately.
- Lemongrass or any grass
- Birch
- Almond extract, almond oil, almond essence
- Roses and rosehips
- Witch hazel (unsure, but suspicious of it)
- Any plant in the asteraceae family, and this is a vast family so if I see a plant extract, I have to Google it. I'm learning the Latin names for things like cornflower and calendula, and it's not because I feel a burning need to know their Latin names. I have to read a label.
- Chemical sunscreens. This is amazing because I am pale AF and fry in the SoCal sun in minutes! Uggggghhhhhh, why?
I'm supposed to be using bland products in my skin care, for my sensitive skin. I have to read every single label because there is so much "hypoallergenic" stuff marketed for sensitive skin that has chamomile in it. Chamomile is supposedly soothing if you're not allergic to it. I wouldn't know, as it makes my throat constrict and my skin burn. I don't feel too soothed as my skin goes up in flames. You have to read every last ingredient.
My doctor was pretty happy when I told him I have to use a physical sunscreen. I went to him with only Cotz and a light dusting of LunatiCK translucent powder on my face, and I felt really uncomfortable going out like that. I mean, I have a fucking rash on my face! But the sunscreen actually covered pretty well. Too well. I had to show him the above picture to fully illustrate my point.
My doctor was pretty happy when I told him I have to use a physical sunscreen. I went to him with only Cotz and a light dusting of LunatiCK translucent powder on my face, and I felt really uncomfortable going out like that. I mean, I have a fucking rash on my face! But the sunscreen actually covered pretty well. Too well. I had to show him the above picture to fully illustrate my point.
This is a giant pain in my butt! Maybe it's a pain in your butt too. I have yet to encounter a person with identical issues, but if you're that person, then hey, here's a list of things you might want to try (and I'm pretty unmotivated to create affiliate links at the moment so there are none). I will now list some skin care products that DO work with my allergies and dang ole sensitive skin. This specific list, I went over with my dermatologist and he approved:
My skin is on the dry side, and I'm not breakout prone (if I'm not using harsh sulfates or allergens on my face). So I use all of those moisturizers on my face. Usually not all together, but I will sometimes slap on the CeraVe PM, realize it's not enough, and then go over it with a thicker Vanicream or CeraVe Cream. I use both Vanicream and CeraVe cream on my body as well. My skin is also happy with pure coconut oil or shea butter.
My doctor suggested AmLactin or CeraVe SA lotion because I also have KP on my arms. I have yet to try them, but I'm going to. He specifically named those products, but also said to look for lactic acid or salicylic acid.
I still need to get my soap situation sorted out. We usually have cheapo, highly scented soap of questionable ingredients from the dollar store. I'm going to replace it with Vanicream Free & Clear Liquid Cleanser. I have used Cetaphil cleanser, but it doesn't lather and I have a hard time feeling clean without it. I've used diluted Dr. Bronner's Baby soap with good results, but it's getting hard to find in a brick and mortar store for some reason. I'll order online if necessary, but I'd rather just zip into my local Target for it.
I'm not sure I'm prepared to try the Free & Clear shampoo or conditioner. My assumption (which could be wrong) is that they're allergy-friendly, but not great for my fine but thick, curly, dry hair. I imagine my scalp will be happy but my hair will be a matted mess. Will probably try them eventually, but I'm set for conditioner for the time being.
I'm having a hard time finding physical sunscreens for the body without problematic ingredients. I obviously need sunscreen for my pale-ass skin because I do need to go into the sun on occasion. I have one for my face but it's such a small tube. I have so far only come up with three options and they are Cotz, Blue Lizard, and Vanicream. Blue Lizard has Vitamin E, which is sometimes code for soy. Same for the tocopheryl acetate in Cotz. Looks like I should just go with Vanicream. Vanicream, and buy a semi attractive sun hat, like this one. Little Goth on the Prairie? -__- I have a really good (if hideous) sun hat for hiking, but a halfway cute one is necessary for everyday life. My doctor was saying that the sun itself could be contributing to my reactions. The sun is actually trying to kill me!
As for makeup, I refuse to quit wearing it. I refuse! (I wasn't instructed to, but finding safe makeup can be a challenge.) I've been using my Meow Cosmetics mineral foundation more often lately. There are only a few ingredients, and plants and perfume aren't among them. My shade is Inquisitive Siamese. I feel like if I use this and the Cotz sunscreen as a base, then whatever's in my more colorful face powders should matter less. I'm not aware of problematic ingredients in my blush, contour, or highlighter but you never know. Using waterproof Inglot gel liner on my eyes makes a teary eye day more bearable. It doesn't mix with tears and get into my eyes, ever. And I am being more mindful of what's in my lipstick. It's annoying but it has to be done.
If you have three million allergies too, comment and let me know what products you're able to use. Maybe I'll find something new.
As for makeup, I refuse to quit wearing it. I refuse! (I wasn't instructed to, but finding safe makeup can be a challenge.) I've been using my Meow Cosmetics mineral foundation more often lately. There are only a few ingredients, and plants and perfume aren't among them. My shade is Inquisitive Siamese. I feel like if I use this and the Cotz sunscreen as a base, then whatever's in my more colorful face powders should matter less. I'm not aware of problematic ingredients in my blush, contour, or highlighter but you never know. Using waterproof Inglot gel liner on my eyes makes a teary eye day more bearable. It doesn't mix with tears and get into my eyes, ever. And I am being more mindful of what's in my lipstick. It's annoying but it has to be done.
If you have three million allergies too, comment and let me know what products you're able to use. Maybe I'll find something new.
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