Help needed for super reactive and sensitive skin...

[marymm]

Hi Missy - just wanted to be sure you'd read Paula Begoun's review of the Magic Mitt - looks like, depending on how you care for and dry the Magic Mitt, there could be fungi/bacterial growth... http://www.paulaschoice.com/beautypedia-skin-care-reviews/by-brand/jane-iredale/_/Magic-Mitt

 

[PintoBean]

Dr. Michelle Henry at Sadick. Never been to the NYC branch, but they are all super nice at the branch I go to.

 

[missy]

ame, any change today? Do the hives on your neck itch or hurt? Are they changing in size at all?

Nope... My eyelids are both still ridiculous, but thankfully my undereyes are currently not angry. My face is calm ish at the moment.

They only itch if my hair or shirt brushes on them and tickle the area and then I go at it with my hands. That's the only way I even really know it's there.

You might want to stop using that chamois. I use the clarisonic with the cashmere head--its the softest they have--and only use it like 2x a week max. Anything more (and anything above the middle setting) gives me a facial freakout. I've read that some of these conditions actually get angrier with exfoliation.

I think it's a great idea to see another dr. I am not in the area but it's worth a shot.

ame, I am very gentle using the cloth and avoid the PD area as best I can. There is no way I could ever tolerate the clarisonic though. I wish. I am in search of a gentle cleanser because then I could skip the cloth. Right now I am not sure how to get my face clean. I am not wearing makeup but want to be able to as necessary. But without the proper cleansing routine I think that would cause more issues.

Hi Missy - just wanted to be sure you'd read Paula Begoun's review of the Magic Mitt - looks like, depending on how you care for and dry the Magic Mitt, there could be fungi/bacterial growth... http://www.paulaschoice.com/beautypedia-skin-care-reviews/by-brand/jane-iredale/_/Magic-Mitt

Thanks for that link marymm. I didn't check that out before but read it now. So far I wash the "magic mitt" cloth thoroughly by hand with Dr Bronners soap and air dry and have not been wearing makeup so there is not much getting on it at all but good to keep that in mind. Thank you.

PintoBean, thanks for that recommendation. I am going to check it out!

 

[kgizo]

Hi Missy, it looks like you are getting a lot of help so I hope another recommendation doesn't add to the confusion. A friend recently recommended hyaluronic acid to me (Cosmedica brand, there are plenty others just make sure they don't contain oils, fragrances, etc). I'm using it to help with fine lines, but it is also a humectant so could be used as a light moisturizer. In researching it I read that it is good for people with rosacea which, if I remember correctly, is something important to you. Also, as an animal lover I appreciate your efforts to look for products without animal testing. They are a lot harder to research, but it's the right thing to do.

 

[VapidLapid]

My drematologist is also at Sadick at the west 15th street location, Dr. Romano. He's good.
My nephew has very sensitive skin too, but for a totally different reason. He has ecto dermal dysplasia. The result of that is he has no sweat glands, no teeth either. But he is in his first year of college, and manages it all quite well, though it is tough for a kid who is totally into sports not to have sweat glands. Still it doesnt stop him, he sprays himself down with a bottle throughout the games. I Guess he is ok with pertoleum products as he uses aquaphor.

Missy I do hope you find something soon that your skin can tolerate.

 

[2Neezers]

Hi Missy,
This is the only cleanser I found that I could tolerate when I was super reactive:

http://earthsciencenaturals.com/product/224/A-D-E-Creamy-Fruit-Oil-Cleanser-8-oz.-.html

It's a cream cleanser and has a bunch of natural oils in it, so I don't know if any of the ingredients would be on your no use list.
I was super sensitive to fragrance so I couldn't use any of the luxury brands. This one is very lightly scented and didn't bother me at all. I know it can be so hard to find the right products when what works for one person doesn't at all for the next.

 

[missy]

Thanks so much for your recommendations kgizo, VapidLapid and 2Neezers!

kgizo, thanks for your recommendation. I am grateful for all of the recs here because though it is more to research I am hopeful one of them might just be the one I need! I am going to check your recommendation out this morning. And yes I hope to find relief with a company that doesn't test on animals. LOVE all the animals.

2Neezers, I just had a look at the website thank you. So the cleanser did not bother you though it had fragrance in it? Their line looks good and I checked out their unscented products but they don't have a suitable cleanser except for this one that you are using. However it has fragrance so I am concerned about that. You wrote it has very little in it...when you apply it to your face can you smell the fragrance? Sorry for all the questions LOL I just cannot be too careful. Read below.

I tried the Dr Alkaitis line yesterday and the oil turned me bright red immediately because of the fragrance in it and I rinsed it off a couple of minutes after as the redness was not dissipating. As soon as I rinsed it off my face started calming down thankfully but OMG I just could not tolerate the fragrance in that product.

VapidLapid, I am so sorry about your dear nephew. How challenging an issue to deal with at such a young age. Kudos to him for handling it with strength and grace and going out for sports and enjoying everything he should be enjoying at his age. I am impressed by your nephew and you must be very proud of him.

Thank you for recommending your doctor at that clinic. Is it crazy that I am nervous about calling? As I said to my dh every time I get a new recommendation my hope level starts rising and then it just gets dashed lol. But I am hopeful as you just never know when relief is around the corner...


ame, how are you doing this morning? Thinking of you and hoping your skin is calming down.

 

[ame]

Thank you! No change...but I'm just dealin with it. It just looks insane, thankfully.

 

[missy]

Just updating...I have an appointment with Dr Romano February 9th...thanks Vapid and Pinto for the recommendation. Fingers crossed. I am super nervous because that is 2 days before I return to work after an 8 month absence...

ame, lol I hear you. Next week for your appointment with the new doctor right? Fingers crossed for you too.

 

[ame]

Just updating...I have an appointment with Dr Romano February 9th...thanks Vapid and Pinto for the recommendation. Fingers crossed. I am super nervous because that is 2 days before I return to work after an 8 month absence...

ame, lol I hear you. Next week for your appointment with the new doctor right? Fingers crossed for you too.

Yep, they just left me a VM to confirm. Of course we're supposed to get snow on Sunday too so I am sure the roads will be a delight on Monday. I hope yours goes well!

 

[2Neezers]

2Neezers, I just had a look at the website thank you. So the cleanser did not bother you though it had fragrance in it? Their line looks good and I checked out their unscented products but they don't have a suitable cleanser except for this one that you are using. However it has fragrance so I am concerned about that. You wrote it has very little in it...when you apply it to your face can you smell the fragrance? Sorry for all the questions LOL I just cannot be too careful. Read below..

Hi Missy,
Sorry to hear you had such a bad reaction to the fragrance in the product you tried. I usually have to use fragrance free products, but for some reason the fragrance in this cleanser doesn't bother me at all. It's not perfumey and has just a very light apricot type scent. It is very subtle and doesn't irritate my skin, eyes or sinuses and after I rinse my face the scent is gone. I don't know how people can tolerate some of the highly fragranced face creams that they make. I feel like I can't breathe when I have tried to use them in the past and they sting my eyes and turn my face red too. The cleanser I suggested does a great job removing make-up, doesn't dry out my skin and I never break out when I use it. It is my miracle cleanser, but I know everyone is different so it may not work as well for another person.

I also use these little baby washcloths when I wash my face. They gently exfoliate without being harsh like exfoliating cleansers can be.
http://www.amazon.com/Spasilk-pack-Terry-Washcloth-Yellow/dp/B002LARFR8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1422639260&sr=8-2&keywords=baby+washcloth

 

[missy]

Thanks ame!


2Neezers, thanks so much for the further info. I am leaning towards ordering it and just trying it. The price is very reasonable though I do wish I could just buy samples of everything I want to try so I don't have whole unused products going to waste. My dh can only use so much of my unwanted goods lol.

Do you think the microfiber baby cloths you are using are softer than the regular microfiber cloths? Or even just cotton balls? I have been using cotton balls lately instead of the magic mitt because I feel it might be gentler on my skin but truthfully I don't really know. Just guessing. I douse the cotton ball in Avene water and remove the oil during my OCM. Sometimes I feel like I am just shooting in the dark here though I am reading and researching. Thanks for your input.

 

[missy]

ame, how did your appointment go? Hoping for some good news for you!

 

[ame]

I really liked them. They were ON TIME for one thing, but they were receptive. VERY. We started with a topical antibiotic before we go with an oral since Neosporin worked on most of my stuff, we just went with a stronger one. IF that doesn't work we'll do the oral. I didn't want to take something if something else works first.

She also was more receptive on my desire to try a different retinoid than I'd been using recently. I really liked that.

I am also backing off the La Mer serums and creams while I try this new antibiotic cream at this doctors request to see if there's anything in it triggering an outbreak. Neither of us believe that's the case, but we want to be 100% sure. So far it's seeming that we're right that it's not anything in there. I am using Cerave PM on my face in the meantime.

When is yours?

 

[missy]

That's great ame! Glad you like this new doctor. Please let us know how it goes. Wishing you clear skin very soon!

My appointment with the new dermatologist is Monday.

VapidLapid and PintoBean, not sure if you will see this but when I go to Sadick Dermatology I am sure they will want to know who recommended their practice so if you want to share your names with me I would be happy to give you guys credit. If you want to contact me please reach me here.
http://loupetroop.com/listings/other/for-rainwood-and-aztonie

 

[Kelinas]

If you are looking into more recommendations, check Atopalm
It's made in south Korea but I hear you can find it in target (of all places)
It's meant for people with ezcema/ extremely dry / sensative skin and people with rosacea have responded well also.
I hear they changed the formula for the face cream (scent) so I'd be weary of it but to be honest, I just use their body lotion on my face m

The ingredients: Water/aqua, glycerin, propanediol, myristoyl/palmitoyl oxostearamide/arachamide MEA, caprylic/capric triglyceride, cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate, dimethicone, carthamus tinctorius (safflower) seed oil, portulaca oleracea extract, polyglyceryl-10 distearate, sorbitan stearate, vitis vinifera (grape) seed oil, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, hydrogenated vegetable oil, tocopheryl acetate, phytosterols, caprylyl glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, allantoin, arginine, carbomer

Sorry if it has something that's a no no; I'm dealing with a migraine "hangover" and my eyes are kinda wonky.

I hope your appointment with the derm goes well and he can get you some relief!!

 

[missy]

Thank you so much for your recommendation Kelinas. I will check it out. How are you doing? I miss seeing you and hope all is going well with you. (((Hugs))).

 

[Kelinas]

I'm good. Life is ...well life
But it's getting better

How are you doing lately? I read that you are going back to work! Are you eexcited to ho back?

 

[PattyCo]

Missy, didn't you have an appointment today? I hope it went well and they were able to help you.

 

[missy]

I'm good. Life is ...well life
But it's getting better

How are you doing lately? I read that you are going back to work! Are you eexcited to ho back?

Hi Kelinas! I am glad things are at least improving albeit slowly. You are doing great and a real trooper. Not really looking forward to work tomorrow lol. More nervous than excited.

Hugs to you and sending more good luck vibes for everything to keep getting better and better.

Missy, didn't you have an appointment today? I hope it went well and they were able to help you.

Thank you PattyCo. That is so nice of you to remember. Yes I had the dermatology appointment yesterday and no big surprises but it was worth trying. He recommended patch testing at Cornell but it is involved and I am not sure I will get anything new out of the results so have not decided if I will do that yet though I did make the appointment for the consult there at least.

Thank you VapidLapid and PintoBean for your recommendation. I really appreciate it.

ame, how are you doing this week? Have you noticed (I hope) improvement?

 

[ame]

Glad your appointment went well. Yes that patch test thing is kind of a nightmare. It's entailed and drawn out!

My neck is looking better, thanks for checking in! My eye is getting angry again, so I might go back to just neosporin.

 

[missy]

Glad you are doing better ame! When you say your eye is angry again do you mean the outside of the eye or in the eye?

 

[ame]

Glad you are doing better ame! When you say your eye is angry again do you mean the outside of the eye or in the eye?

It's like on my eyelid. So outside.

 

[missy]

ame, be careful with the neosporin because while I know it works well for you on other parts of your body near the eye can be more sensitive. Some people can get a contact dermatitis from neosporin.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/735534_2

Hope you wake up this morning with everything 100% clear!

 

[PattyCo]

Ug, Missy, how frustrating that nothing productive was done for you except the "same ol' patch test" that you know will tell them the "same ol' thing"! Have any of the products that PSer's recommended been any help to you? I am still looking for my magic wand to wave over you and everyone else going through this, I think I left it by my money tree...

 

[ponder]

Missy,

I have been following this thread and have no recommendations for products, I just keep thinking that there is an underlying systemic issue. Have you seen a immunologist or endocrinologist lately?

 

[ame]

My skin is going ape again. I have no idea what is going on but my eyes and neck are ridiculous again.

 

[PattyCo]

My skin is going ape again. I have no idea what is going on but my eyes and neck are ridiculous again.

Oh, Ame, I am so sorry that skin has flared up again

 

[missy]

Patty, thank you so much for checking in with me and wanting to wave your magic wand. I can use all the help I can get and that includes magic. So wave away

So far the only products that are not making me worse (i.e. burning/stinging causing more bumps and redness) are the cold pressed organic hemp oil I am using to moisturize with and cleanse my face. To be fair I still have not tried all the products recommended to me here but I am holding off on some of them due to their ingredients. Really don't want to push things at this time and make it worse as I have started back to work and need to be conservative. My skin does NOT like change.

Ponder, thanks for weighing in...definitely a possibility as I do have autoimmune conditions. I will ask my dermatologist about that. I am so tired of going to specialists after the 2014 doctor merry go round I was on without any real answers. I appreciate your great suggestion though and let me see if my dermatologist has any recommendations about the specialists I should see. I would have no clue how to find the best endocrinologist or immunologist for me. Thank you!

ame, ugh! I am so sorry. The skin sister saga continues because guess what popped up on my body yesterday afternoon? A HUGE hive on my right forearm and I was hoping it would be gone by this morning but no such luck. I am just praying it is nothing but a hive because I am saturated with these mysterious health issues and really don't want to deal with something else. I know you know what I mean.

Did you check into the neosporin as being a possible culprit into your contact dermatitis issues if that is what they are?

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/735534_2

American Contact Dermatitis Society (ACDS) recently named neomycin the 2010 Allergen of the Year (McNamara, 2010).

The combination of impaired skin barriers with the prolonged use of topical antibiotics can increase the risk of developing allergic contact dermatitis (Gehrig & Warshaw, 200. Therefore, the risk of ACD secondary to neomycin is increased when patients use neomycin on damaged skin such as atopic eczema

Neomycin sensitivity can manifest as an eczema-like localized reaction, contact urticaria, and rarely anaphylaxis (Marks et al., 2002). It may also present as delayed wound healing. It usually starts at the site of primary exposure but may spread to more distant sites...

How are you this morning? When are you seeing your new doctor again? I forget, are your rashes/hives itchy and does taking antihistamines help you at all? Didn't help me at all last night. This huge hive on my arm is so itchy.

Wish we both had a magic wand we could wave over each other that would make us all better.

 

[ame]

Its ANGRIER. And above my lip is now angry. I emailed the dr. I hope she has an idea. I had not seen that and WEIRD. I hope that is not making it worse.

I am on antihistimines all the time already, so I don't think much of that... I hope you taking some will help your new hive. Dangit!