I’m posting to update on this as there is now another twist to this problem.
So, at the end of 2022 beginning of 2023 I had CBT therapy for the anxiety I had and it worked really well and I was back to leading a normal life, eating normally and I completely stopped worrying about it for over 2 years. The only thing I avoid is my one known allergy and one suspected allergy both easy things to avoid and otherwise had an anxiety free life. I also found out that I’m allergic to hair dye but have accepted that I won’t be able to dye my hair. I can live quite happily avoiding my one or two known allergies and I got on with my life and moved on from the anxiety.
Then 2 weeks ago I had an allergic reaction to a lipstick. I haven’t worn lipstick for 2-3 years as I had a lot of problems with sore lips, which was put down to the fact I had a B12 deficiency and anaemia which were treated, but I found that lipsticks were irritating them and making the problem worse, I also found that the more lip balm I used the more I needed to, so I just left everything off my lips and just used moisturiser. Despite all the anxiety I had previously about potential allergies I naively didn’t think I could be allergic to cosmetics.
I just thought it was an irritation, so stupidly I put lipstick on thinking that maybe I don’t react to all of them. I had itching, tingling, swelling and developed an eczema type of thing under my lips, my face was tingling and even my tongue was starting to tingle and I felt generally unwell. I took antihistamines and used eczema cream to calm it down however that seemed to make it worse as well. I made a GP appointment and obviously they told me to avoid lip products and are testing the IGE in my blood for allergies and the next step is they may refer me to immunology or dermatology.
Fair enough I can live with avoiding Quorn, hair dye and lipstick and live a normal life.
The problem I’m having now is, when I went to the GP she said “and you don’t have any problems with other makeup?” It may have been just a question but the way she asked it sounded like it’s unusual to be allergic to lipstick and not other makeup. This has really played on my mind. Also the fact I’ve had an allergic reaction and am being tested for allergies has really triggered my anxiety as I was happily living my life as though I don’t have allergies (apart from the 3 things I have to avoid).
Over the last week I have noticed that I now get a slight burning sensation when I put on foundation and I have also noticed some it with my cleanser. I have never had a problem with makeup or skin care products in my life and this has really thrown me.
On the one hand I’m thinking it could be that my skin is extra sensitive because it’s winter time and I’ve just become anxious again so am noticing things more and panicking at every sensation I have.
On the other hand I’m worried that by using the lipstick I have triggered my immune system and have now developed other allergies, in other words my worst nightmare has actually happened and I feel like it’s my fault for putting the lipstick on in the first place when I knew I had a problem with it and now I have made myself allergic to everything under the sun and ruined my life.
If I have become allergic to other things then I need to find skin care/make up that I can use. I know not everybody wears it but I look awful without makeup and I get really dry skin if I don’t moisturise. What if I can’t find brands I can be safe with?
Within the last 2 weeks I’ve gone from 2 and a half years of calm to being in a state of high anxiety again and I don’t know what to do. 😢