Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Sensitive Skin

For over 30 years I've had sensitive skin. It's selective sensitive skin, and I've pretty much worked it out. I have to change my mascara regularly, otherwise my eyes itch, but that's recommended and hygienically a good idea anyway. I can wear most moisturizers on my face without a problem. I can wear perfume, but can't wear it on my throat, and sometimes not on my décolletage either, as I'll end up in a rash. I can't wear fake jewellery as I end up with a major rash. That's not a huge problem though lol...but means I stay away from costume jewellery most of the time, as often the clasps or beads are metal which I react to. I have to be careful that jeans don't have pocket studs, as I'll flare up. I don't use soap on my nether regions because the skin is so sensitive and I'd end up burning and barely able to sit, I hurt so much. I have used the same deodorant for years and years. Rexona has always been good, a brand that I can wear without developing a nasty rash. It has never worried me, because I generally wear the same fragrance, but there are enough different ones if I want a change. I always come back to the Musk scented one. Last week, Billy-Joe took my deodorant to camp, so I bought a replacement. I noticed a new bottle shape, and hoped like mad that they hadn't changed the ingredient. I was fairly optimistic, I mean why would you change the contents, the outside is just to 'freshen' up the look of it, as it hadn't changed in years.

I am very disappointed! I have developed an itch under both underarms. The same itch I get whenever I've change my deodorant, or if I've used Peter's. I don't know what to do now. I still have some left, the one that Billy-Joe took to camp, but I am at a loss as to what to do when it runs out. I know it's not the aluminium that I'm allergic to, because that's in most deodorants. I have even tried the crystal type deodorant, and I still get a rash from it. Plus I hate the fact I have to wet it before I can use it, then I have a drip of water running down my body. I generally put deodorant on after I'm dressed too, to stop getting white marks on my clothes, so I don't want water dripping down when I'm already dressed. I have bought other brands which state they are hypo allergenic, but I still get a rash from them.

After some googling, I've discovered I'm not alone. Seems like all things internet though, they are usually American responses to Americans with the problem, so I can't try any of their recommendations because they aren't available here.

Going without is not an option. My search will continue.

4 comments:

Alaine said...

Hi Jenny, my husband and daughter have exactly the same problem. Ian's is so bad that sometimes the chlorine in the water when he has a shower drives him crazy with itch. I discovered that Mitchum roll on works for them both without the side effects. It's a green bottle and you can get it at Woolworths. If you have any trouble finding it let me know and I'll send some up. Try it though because it's the only one that they can use. Hate it when a company changes it's formula. I don't have the problem but have lived with it for a long time and I know how hard it is. Annie (my daugher) can't wear perfume either! Anyway try that deoderant, it might work for you too.

Teddyree said...

Talk about things sent to try you! Hope you find a substitute or your allergy's/sensitivities settle down quickly. Can you take an antihistamine in the mean time?
Thanks for thinking of me and your sweet comments on my blog too :-)

Karen Barr said...

Hi Jenny, That happened to Geoff a few years ago too and it was with Rexona too. He always used the sports one in the maroon bottle, and then ran into troubles. He has tried heaps of others and for some reason has now gone back to the original Rexona and isn't experiencing a problem now. Maybe it is just certain batches. Its a bit pricey but maybe the Body Shop might have something that is made of natural products.

Tami said...

I developed rashes over the years with perfume and jewerly. I can only wear real gold. Perfume has to be sprayed on my clothes, no where on my body. I haven't had a probelm with deodorant yet, but I do use fragrance free. I also can only use Aveeno lotion (fragrance free). I'm sorry you are having such a hard time of it. Very frustrating!

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