Temporary Allergies?

[wordinista]

Okay, here's something weird.

I am presently at the start of my monthly girlbits rebellion, and in addition to the bloating and cramping, I apparently have also developed an allergy to some of the Murad skincare products I got for Christmas.  (I've been using this stuff for a week straight, and only NOW developing a problem.)  I used the moisturizer yesterday, like I've been doing for a week straight, and took care to make sure I got the fine lines around my eyes.  Last night my eyes (or, rather, the area around my eyes -- lids and such) started itching.  This morning that area is all red and puffy -- and itchy.  I can think of nothing else that might've caused this.  I've applied Benadryl cream to the itchiest parts, and took some Benadryl tablets (which helped when Tora-kun broke out into hives as a reaction to Pizza Hut's "pork topping") and now I'm just waiting. 

It's itchy.  ITCHY.  OMG.  And I know the worst thing I can do would be to try and relieve the itchiness by scratching at it.  Because... eyes.

I'm almost positive it was the moisturizer, though.  I haven't eaten anything out of the ordinary, and unless I've suddenly developed an allergy to cats, I'm pretty sure it's not either of the girls (though Kisa got me good the other day when she mistook my finger for her stuffed mouse). 

But I've been using the stuff for a week.

It makes me wonder if ... whatever it is that makes me break out this time of month (because that's the only time I ever do really break out) is causing a weird reaction with this moisturizer.  Maybe my skin's more sensitive right now.  I don't know.  I do know that I'm totally not using it again for about a week.

WTF, skin?  What, bloating and cramping AREN'T ENOUGH?  YOU'VE GOT TO MAKE ME ITCH, TOO?

Comments

[mscongeniality.livejournal.com]

Actually, that doesn't sound so wierd to me. You've got this substance that you may or may not have a sensitivity to, that you've never used before. Then, instead of occasional exposure, you apply it all the time. It takes your body a bit of time to adjust, but because of repeated applications it has no time to really sort things out and finally it decides it can't adjust and starts to protect itself.

Allergies tend to manifest themselves...pretty much that way. Either you'll react the first time you use something or, more commonly, you'll react after some period of time--which is why 'sudden onset' allergies take so many people by surprise and can be a royal bitch to figure out.

I could be entirely wrong, but in my experience that sounds normal/reasonable.

[w0rdinista.livejournal.com]

Now, I thought reactions were supposed to manifest themselves after about three days of use. (And I don't understand why I haven't gotten itchy/puffy anywhere else on my face -- just around my eyes.)

*whines* I just want it to stop itchinnnnnnng!

[mscongeniality.livejournal.com]

Well, I did say I could be entirely wrong...

Also, I suspect that if you look up the three days thing, it will be modified by terms like 'most commonly' and 'on average'. Unfortunately, the human body just can't be quantified to that degree...for some people 3 days might be enough, others might need a week of exposure.

[squeakyinuears.livejournal.com]

I agree with MsCon., actually. Sometimes allergies can take over a week before they manifest themselves. A few months ago, I was trying out this face cleanser my friend recommended, and for maybe about the first two weeks, it worked great. I had completely clear skin with not even a whitehead. Beautiful.

But then, after the initial two weeks, suddenly my skin started turning red and peeling. :(

In my case, it was the benzoyl peroxide in the product, which "may cause irritation, characterized by redness, burning, itching, peeling or possibly swelling. Mild irritation may be reduced by using the product less frequently or in a lower concentration."

My advice is to stop using the products for now, and after you've completely recovered from the allergies, to try using the products less frequently and/or at a less concentration. And if you still get allergic reactions from it, to stop using it altogether.

*Pats carefully* I hope your eyes stop itching soon.

[hecallaghan.livejournal.com]

Argh! Your eyes! Makes me feel sympathetically ouchy just considering the matter.

Nothing to add, really, which hasn't been pointed out before. The area around your eyes is where the skin of your face is thinnest, so perhaps that makes a difference.

Incidentally, I was in London for the New Year's Eve celebrations (somewhat ruined by the fact I felt lousy and was more or less entirely sober), and earlier that day I drove past the St. George tavern in Victoria on my way to Euston. I thought of you...

[w0rdinista.livejournal.com]

Ugh, more or less sober on New Years Eve? My sympathies, ma chere.

I suspect it's the moisturizer because I made an effort to massage said moisturizer into the very area that's acting up. That said, I applied it to the rest of my face as well, and there are no problems there at ALL.

However, the swelling did get rid of my fine lines for a little while, so...

No, I can't even find solace there. I'd rather have fine lines around my eyes and NOT itch, thank you.

George, however, was a darling. He tried to get me some mild hypo-allergenic soap, but couldn't find the right one at the drug store, so he brought me more Benadryl, some anti-itch cream with oatmeal, and a package of Hershey's Special Very Dark Chocolate with Almonds Cranberries and Blueberries. He was very cute about it, too.

"And if none of those work, I got you this, because chocolate cures everything."

Ah, St. George's Tavern. You know, it makes me feel warm and fuzzy to know that it's still there, all these years later. Too often, when I get attached to a restaurant or bar, it ends up going the way of the dodo.

[tatertott.livejournal.com]

It sounds pretty normal to me, too, unfortunately. I get sensitive to some different things around ye ol' flowing of red tides, too. I mean, your hormone levels have dropped (or peaked? can't remember) so your body chemistry is off.

*gives cool tea bags for eyes*
:(

[w0rdinista.livejournal.com]

Ye olde red tide can bite my big toe. *grumble* Yet another reason to HATE BEING A GIRL.