Uggh allergies

**frooz** · 11-28-2010, 11:13 PM

I'm having another case of allergies and I have no idea what it is. Hayfever was suggested and I've just purchased some antihistimanes to try - they are crazy expensive so I'm keen to work out what is causing this reaction.

Right now my skin is blotchy and red. So bad people could look at me and say OMG whats with your face. I have some dry scaly patches because over the last few weeks my skin has flared up so many times its not really recovering.

Other symptoms are runny nose, sneezing and headaches. But I've been to a doctor a few months ago for this and I've spoken to two pharmacists who tell me the skin rash isn't normal for hayfever.

I've tried not putting anything on my skin to let it breathe. I've quit wearing makeup each day although a couple of times I've sneaked on a tinted moisturiser just to try and even out my complexion. I used to wear foundation every day so this is a big adjustment for me.

I'm not eating anything different, I stayed clear of fruits as in the past I have had reactions on my hands when handling tomatoes and fruits such as pineapple and kiwifruit can make my tongue itch or ulcer so I avoid those.

In my part of the world it is spring, almost summer so I'm inclined to believe its hayfever. I've been taking natural hayfever relief which seemed to relieve my symptoms but now I've pulled out the big guns with anthistimines which I've always been so reluctant to take. i got talfast because it also deals with itchy skin rash/hives. And boy does it itch.

I guess my question after all this rambling is whether anyone else has experienced the blotchy redness on their skin with hayfever or have any clue what it could be? I would be grateful for any insight. The doctor I saw just told me to stop using beauty products and change shampoo and conditioner to natural products (which I did). I've also stopped using anything like soap on my face, and I've put my cleansing/toning routine on hold too.

Thanks in advance.

**2ndGenGranola** · 11-29-2010, 06:37 AM

The two worst items for allergies with rashes are laundry products. Tide (even the unscented) and Downey are by far the worst. Even natural products can cause issues if you are allergic to an ingredient in them. You are exposed to these 24/7. You wear them all day, they are on your jammies and sheets, on your towels...

Now there is something called cross reactive allergies. Since you mention some issues with fruit, know that some regular trees have similar pollens. You are actually allergic to the pollen of the trees but get symptoms when you handle/eat the fruit. You could be reacting to these pollens in bloom although you would have to be handling similar fruit/veggies to get the rash.

**brenda67** · 11-29-2010, 11:45 AM

I read somewhere to eat raw local honey for allergies..not sure if this will help or not but worth a try..HTH..

**frooz** · 11-29-2010, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by 2ndGenGranola

The two worst items for allergies with rashes are laundry products. Tide (even the unscented) and Downey are by far the worst. Even natural products can cause issues if you are allergic to an ingredient in them. You are exposed to these 24/7. You wear them all day, they are on your jammies and sheets, on your towels...

Now there is something called cross reactive allergies. Since you mention some issues with fruit, know that some regular trees have similar pollens. You are actually allergic to the pollen of the trees but get symptoms when you handle/eat the fruit. You could be reacting to these pollens in bloom although you would have to be handling similar fruit/veggies to get the rash.

Hmm that makes some sense, I had just washed my sheets the day before this really flared up so my face has been lying on freshly laundered pillowcases. It might be causing or just worsening the skin issues.

**frooz** · 11-29-2010, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by brenda67

I read somewhere to eat raw local honey for allergies..not sure if this will help or not but worth a try..HTH..

OOh will look into that, thanks

**HappyMama** · 11-29-2010, 02:35 PM

Yes definitely use raw honey ( local if possible) unless you are in an area with lots of pesticide use and GMO. Use pure coconut oil , or coconut oil with raw honey on your face! Let the coconut oil, soak in , it will seem greasy at first but will be smooth and feel great after while.

I just bought another 60 pounds of my honey , I was panicking as I was just about out...lol I buy mine raw, unheated, from a farmer that has no pesticides in use around him at all.

**shoiji** · 11-29-2010, 04:29 PM

I have used organic first pressed coconut oil on my skin and as a hair conditioner. I need to buy some more oil.

You mentioned you get a reaction from handling tomatoes. Tomatoes are in the night shade family. Which includes potatoes, tomatoes, tomatilos, green and red pepper. People with eczema avoid eating them which helps there skin. I have noticed my skin especially on my legs is now smooth and not flaky with scales. Try staying away from the nightshades for a couple of weeks to see what happens.

Have you gone to a dermatologist or allergist? Maybe they can help figure out what is going on.

I remember as a child having allergies and prickly heat. Basically a rash. But now I think it was also my body reacting to the nightshades I was eating.

You can also try a thin amount of neosporin on your clean face at night. I use it when my face gets chapped from the wind and cold.

**frooz** · 11-29-2010, 11:51 PM

thanks for all the suggestions, I'll try them all.

I was using aqueous cream on the recommendation of a pharmacist but its not having much effect so I've gone back to using the Aveeno skin relief lotion today. It relieves the itching with menthol in it and its the only thing that seems to take away a lot of the redness that I've tried so far.

Will definitely avoid the nightshade family thanks, peeling potatoes has occassionally given me a rash too, I thought that was weird but it makes sense now I know its in the tomato family.

I went to the doctor today, I'd had enough and my face was swollen on one side when I woke up this morning. He couldn't help me, just said to do what I'm doing taking hayfever meds and bland creams without perfume but offered me a referral to a dermatologist so that's my next step.

I also see a sports doctor at times for an old neck injury I have. I call him a miracle doctor because when I've been almost crippled with pain he's fixed me when a physiotherapist couldn't. He practices chinese medicine too and told me once that my neck injury can create a lot of other health issues when its out of alignment. I've been feeling a few twitches in my neck shoulder area so I think I'll book in to see him to check my alignment as well and see if he's got any suggestions about my face. I'm willing to try anything at this point. And I'm on the scout for raw honey! Will try visiting the organic store one day after work.

Between doctors and pharmacies this is denting my budget but its better than walking around looking like a mobile disease unit!!

Thanks everyone for your advice so far

**bonnotsm9** · 11-30-2010, 09:09 AM

I'm sorry you are having this trouble. My two oldest children have had itchy swollen rashes from seasonal allergies. My son gets it to some degree every spring when whatever it is he's reacting to is in bloom. One year both of their faces swelled up with a puffy, itchy, fluid-filled rash. They are both allergic to various pollens, molds, etc. Topical creams did nothing to help with the swelling and itching. Anti-histamines helped a little.

**frugalfranny** · 11-30-2010, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by frooz

Hmm that makes some sense, I had just washed my sheets the day before this really flared up so my face has been lying on freshly laundered pillowcases. It might be causing or just worsening the skin issues.

The soap laundry issue was already mentioned but if you hang your sheets outside.......stop doing that. You didn't say how the laundry was dried. Either hang inside to dry.....or use your dryer.

I don't hang anything outside........this helps not pick up pollen in the first place. (you bring enough inside on your clothes!!)

**frooz** · 11-30-2010, 11:41 PM

Originally Posted by frugalfranny

The soap laundry issue was already mentioned but if you hang your sheets outside.......stop doing that. You didn't say how the laundry was dried. Either hang inside to dry.....or use your dryer.

I don't hang anything outside........this helps not pick up pollen in the first place. (you bring enough inside on your clothes!!)

I only use the dryer, the boxer thinks its a fun game to pull clothes off the washing line

**shoiji** · 12-01-2010, 06:56 PM

Yup, my hands would always itch after I had washed a potato. Then my whole body would start itching. Now that I stopped eating nightshades I hardly ever scratch myself. Seriously. If I do scratch myself I know I ate something I should not have. Usually in processed food. So becareful with processed food. Look for words such as modified food starch since it is usually potato. Just the word spices should probably be avoided since it probably also includes red hot pepper or paprika which is made from red peppers.

**frooz** · 12-01-2010, 11:48 PM

Oh wow so much to avoid, thanks for the heads up about processed food I'll keep an eye out.

The good news is that my skin is looking MUCH better today. Yesterday my eyes were so puffy I could barely keep them open and it hurt to blink, today a lot better.

**SwirlyThing** · 03-11-2011, 10:06 PM

You said that this erupted in springtime. Have you been outside? Any chance that it's polymorphic light eruption (PMLE)? PMLE is a sun sensitivity that is fairly common in women of european descent. Current theory is that it is an allergic reaction to a protein that the skin makes in response to sunlight. It shows up usually 12-48 hours after sun exposure and lasts for a week, give or take. It commonly shows up in the spring, and may reoccur over the course of the following months. In some people, it gets slowly better with continued sun exposure, only to return the following spring (others never experience the improvement in symptoms over the season).

It may be something else entirely, but you might want to consider PMLE.