Monday 14 December 2009

Allergies

I have just been to see the doctor with a face that you don't want to see! This morning my eyes were so swollen I could only just see and my face looks at if it is on fire. The culprit? We think the initial reaction was when I mopped up some spilt wheat bran in my studio as I did so the skin on my face started to prickle and irritate. This was then followed the next day by a response by my skin to my shampoo. I have known for about ten years that I am allergic to the thickener that is in nearly all shampoos but haven't had massive problems however evidently this time it was a challenge too far and I had a serious reaction. At least I think that is what it is. I shall have to get Dh to remove all the wheat bran from my studio and bang goes one of my favourite fermented indigo vat -the madder bran vat.
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16 comments:

  1. Dorothy14 December 2009 at 19:53

    I guess the thickner in the shampoo is something derived from wheat?

    I do hope you're feeling better now and can avoid triggering this allergy again, it sounds like a really horrible experience!

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  2. Helen14 December 2009 at 22:32

    Actually I think where it has a natural source which is in organic shampoos it is coconut based. It is cocamidopropylbetaine and apparently a common allergy as it is in nearly all shampoos and all liquid soaps. Allergies are rather like uneven flag stones they trip one up when not expected. Unfortunately as my GP said today they are also one of the cinderella services of the NHS.
    As I have a list of allergies as long as your arm -and probably longer that can make life challenging. Today my supportive but slightly baffled GP and I feel that it has become rather more challenging than either of us like. Oh well! I have booked for PLuckyfluffs Bristol Spinning workshop -so that has cheered me up.

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  3. Stella Jones14 December 2009 at 22:34

    What a horrible time to get an allergy! I do hope you can rid yourself of it very soon! It's amazing how many things cause us to swell up and feel uncomfortable these days. For me a smell can do it. I have to be very careful with candles, the smell of them can quickly give me a headache and cause my eyes to puff up alarmingly.
    Good luck!
    Blessings, Star

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  4. Helen14 December 2009 at 22:38

    Thanks Star-
    Aren't allegies weird-and annoying! Having a candle allergy must be a problem at this time of the year!
    I just had a thought about the madder bran vat and wondered whether rice bran would work.

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  5. Joei Rhode Island15 December 2009 at 01:17

    Here's hoping you can try a rice bran...almost no one has allergies to rice. Hope you repair quickly.

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  6. Woolly Bits15 December 2009 at 14:46

    Helen, maybe it would only happen if you touch or breath in wheat "dust"? if someone put it into the indigo vat, maybe nothing more would happen? I've never seen rice bran but I hope you can find it - or maybe some other replacement? in the meantime I hope you'll feel better soon!

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  7. Jasmine16 December 2009 at 19:07

    I hope you feel better soon.

    Joei is right. In nutrition, when someone has severe allergies they strip the diet right back to the most basic then gradually introduce new ingredients to identify which is the cause of allergy. Rice is one of the basics they are confident wont cause a reaction.

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  8. Helen17 December 2009 at 10:22

    Hi Many thanks for so many good wishes. My face four days on with the help of steroids is now looking relatively normal although the skin around the eyes where they so swollen look very wrinkled- sigh Oh well-into the studio today to have a day dyeing.Hooray!

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  9. Artis-Anne17 December 2009 at 14:49

    oh poor you that sounds horrible and I hope you are now feeling betterafter the sterois dose . My worst allergy in to penicilin which can be problem at times
    Lexis' workshops sounds wonderful and I half wish I could have gone on it too; I am sure you will have fun on it. Have you seen her books ? I have both if you want to look at them

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  10. Leigh18 December 2009 at 05:52

    Oh Helen, what rotten luck! At least you know what it is. :(

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  11. Helen18 December 2009 at 13:09

    Well I had a nice day dyeing . I used the extract dyes and just to add extra protection I used dust mask, eye goggles and of course gloves. No problems

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  12. Rascal20 December 2009 at 03:19

    I hope you're not allergic to Cats.

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  13. Helen20 December 2009 at 10:18

    Oh! Cats are a real no no for me. I can't touch a cat which is such a shame as I Iooooove cats!

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  14. Be Grim20 December 2009 at 18:21

    Hi Helen; I've made successful indigo vats using oat bran. I happened to have some on hand when I mixed up the vat, so I used it instead of the wheat bran and everything worked out fine.
    Sorry you had such a dramatic reaction to the wheat bran,aww, here's a hug.

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  15. Helen20 December 2009 at 18:55

    That is good news and oat bran is quite easy to get. Thanks and thanks for the hug too! Helen

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  16. Corbie3 January 2010 at 15:08

    Re allergens in shampoo -- have you looked into shampoo soap bars? If they're not locally available, shampoo soap bars are easy to make oneself (though the soap will need to cure, of course, so it's not something you can make today and use tomorrow). I've made my own, and am not an experienced soapmaker or anything, so it's very easy to do.

    Re oat bran -- I've been using oat bran in my indigo fermentation vat, too, and can also testify that it works. I'm allergic to oats (to eat -- also allergic to wheat, rye, and other members of that grain family), but using the bran in the vat doesn't seem to hurt me. Wearing a face mask when putting it into the vat might not be a bad idea, though, just in case.

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