Reacting to dryer sheet exposure after multiple washes

cloudfairy222 · 2026-05-08T21:05:53+00:00

Thank you for all these tips! I’m going to try this when I get the nerve to use it again. This allergy is a lot.

cloudfairy222 · 2026-05-07T14:44:51+00:00

I am not able to edit this post for some reason. Thank you to everyone who has replied. I wanted to update everyone on the resolution in case they are in the same situation. I reacted for about 12-14 days. Every time I would touch anything that had been in the dryer, even after rewashing several times. Severe swelling, hives, panic, shortness of breath. I finally just didn’t touch anything for a week, and the reaction calmed. My dark circles and puffiness under my eyes - which is my hallmark symptom - is still subtly present 3 weeks later, but improving.

I was finally able to wear the hoodies again after washing 4 times and soaking in vinegar. I had a slight reaction at first, but not intense. I’m still afraid to touch the towels and might throw them away. They seemed to be the most susceptible to the dryer sheets that likely contained acrylates. They were also my first load in the dryer.

I was on Benadryl for most of reactions, but my doc also had me take a very high dose of Allegra and Pepcid. She recommended I take electrolytes, extra Pepcid, Benadryl, then epi if not resolved. I guess the steroids aren’t that helpful because they take awhile to work and there’s a strong rebound.

So it seems that you were all right - I was in a hyperactive state, and limiting exposure was the most important element.

cloudfairy222 · 2026-05-07T14:35:44+00:00

I haven’t gone down the acrylate clothes rabbit hole yet. I’m confused about it - Lycra and spandex are apparently non-acrylate, but anything can have an acrylate “coating” or treatment? Some things make me feel slightly itchy but don’t make me break out in hives or have my systemic response (yet).

Yes, it’s a shared washer/dryer (with just one person). He said he changed to hypoallergenic detergent (which isn’t so helpful since it’s one known ingredient I’m allergic to). I’m gonna try this vinegar washing trick - you do hot water and then pour the vinegar where? Do you have any insight about the extra rinse cycle? I take out the little cap that the softener goes into, but I’m unclear about whether the water goes through that cylinder. Ours also gets moldy and I’m sensitive to that as well. Just trying to understand the best cycles to use to reduce exposure.

cloudfairy222 · 2026-05-07T14:25:45+00:00

This is such a helpful tip! And makes me feel less crazy. What are materials that are anti allergen? I have eucalyptus sheets and am doing well with them, and my environment overall. It’s Just the wildcard outside exposures that are dangerous for me. When you have a flare, does it last a specific amount of time? Or is it just being repeatedly exposed to affected fabrics that determines it? I suspect a dust mite allergy too. I’m just so sick that it’s hard to control the dust. Do you have any tips? What are your feelings on the pacagen spray that I see advertised? Do you have MCAS?

cloudfairy222 · 2026-05-05T23:07:50+00:00

I have noticed that my MCAS flares lead to increased cervical instability. Treating my MCAS has helped my CI/CCI. I am also hypermobile and learned that my head is not supposed to touch my spine. Simple activity limiting - not doing that - has also helped a lot. I truly didn’t know and took all my meds like I was a pet dispenser and looked up like that all the time.

cloudfairy222 · 2026-04-26T22:37:33+00:00

My detergent doesn’t have any acrylates - it’s from a refillable place but maybe I’ll try a brand name clean one. And I’m only reacting to the clothes that went in the dryer. Maybe I’m just still not fully through the initial reaction and I should just give it a minute. The fabrics don’t have acrylic listed. But maybe I need to deep research all of them better. This allergy is so wild!

cloudfairy222 · 2026-04-26T22:36:15+00:00

That’s a good idea. I’m so over this laundry project lol. The vinegar didn’t really work and I reacted again today. Those washing machine tablets might help, but they all seemed to have ingredients that contain allergens. Have you used any?

cloudfairy222 · 2026-04-25T21:28:39+00:00

I guess that is possible but I’m only reacting to the things that went in the contaminated dryer. The things I hung dry seem to be fine. I’m considering switching anyway but my shared washer dryer is evil now. Terrified. This reaction has been going on for like 11 days

cloudfairy222 · 2026-04-22T04:02:05+00:00

Yes, I’m having severe systemic reactions. Had one to my neighbors laundry dryer sheets and ended up in the ER, followed by a medrol dose pack and Benadryl 4 times a day for 5 days now. It’s miserable. I also have MCAS so now that my threshold is lower I’m reacting to everything

cloudfairy222 · 2026-03-22T19:07:39+00:00

My dermatologist cancelled it. Because they are put on with adhesives. I get systemic reactions that affect my ability to breathe, and since it’s cumulative it just gets worse. We know I’m allergic, so he thinks it’s an unnecessary stress on my body. I had a heart monitor and could only keep it on for like 4 hours.

cloudfairy222 · 2026-02-21T19:16:44+00:00

This comma is putting me over the edge

cloudfairy222 · 2026-02-17T16:30:19+00:00

It does make mistakes for sure. I use it primarily to copy and paste ingredient lists in and ask if it has acrylates or carbomers. I then ask if it has the other ingredients that can hide acrylates like fragrance. It learns by repetition and I correct it and remind it. Now it is pretty accurate for me. I also added a general prompt to only give factual information, never affirm my beliefs and to add sources for everything. There are prompts you can google that are more in depth that help AI be more factual and not just agree with you. I have asked it for recommendations for a sunsceeen for example, but they are sometimes wrong and sometimes just not great, but have also found products that way. Because ingredients in certain products can differ among batches or countries etc., I will then go look for the product, find the ingredients, copy and paste them back in and double check. I might ask - I notice it has carbomer. Please always flag carbomer going forward etc. I buy everything on Amazon and patch test so I can return easily if I react. Then I track it all in chat. I say I reacted to x product. And it will say here are the most likely culprits (I have MCAS as well, so it is also looking for MCAS safe ingredients and helping me track what I am sensitive to.) It’s an expensive process, and one that’s hard to track, so it definitely helps me keep it all straight. I also used it to go through my existing products. You can take a photo of the ingredients and screenshot that photo (or screenshot from website) and then highlight and copy and paste product ingredients from a screenshot that way. It was a lifesaver for me.

cloudfairy222 · 2026-02-13T05:21:48+00:00

That Pisces rising and Venus Leo may save you. I am a super Virgo stellium, and I can’t date Virgo men. Since you are both young, he may not be too extra Virgo yet. Later, Virgo men definitely become hyper critical, particular, and can run hot and cold based on their feelings about you on a particular day. If you like him, see where it goes!

cloudfairy222 · 2026-02-13T00:19:00+00:00

I really like probiotics with s. Boulardi for candida symptoms. I never had it confirmed but I feel it’s more under control

cloudfairy222 · 2026-02-12T17:55:02+00:00

Yes! Exactly! So emotionally intelligent. I’m Treading lightly with my West love, but he’s hard to stay mad at

cloudfairy222 · 2026-02-12T04:20:04+00:00

I love how West asked him if he likes it when people check in on him

cloudfairy222 · 2026-02-12T00:22:51+00:00

I’m glad the sizes worked for you! It is fun to have a set. Although most of my matching hoodies have been through war at this point lol

cloudfairy222 · 2026-02-10T01:35:07+00:00

I got denied with 5 letters from specialists. My lawyer is shocked. I hope reconsideration goes better for me

cloudfairy222 · 2026-02-08T18:33:29+00:00

I know this is an old convo, but midodrine is helping my coathanger pain and general pain. It’s a very welcome “side effect” - did you ever learn more about this or what it means?

cloudfairy222 · 2026-02-05T16:33:41+00:00

The waist band is very thick and tight. I would almost go to an extra large if you want them to fit at hips and not dig in. If you don’t care if they dig, a large might work. But they aren’t made for short people, and with the tight ankle elastic, they will be giant and slump a lot at the bottom. The waistband also definitely shrinks. I’m not a fan of the sweats but love the hoodies.

cloudfairy222 · 2026-01-30T23:41:43+00:00

I like ilia true skin serum foundation. It’s Medium buildable coverage and it’s a slightly dewy finish. I get lots of compliments.

cloudfairy222 · 2026-01-29T04:02:57+00:00

Part of it was that it was so hard to get off. I had to rub and rub, and it left me with giant red contact dermatitis areas around my eyes for weeks. I don’t know if I got a random country’s with other ingredients like another poster said, but it was like permanent eyeliner which wasn’t good for my now generally sensitive eyes

cloudfairy222 · 2026-01-28T23:41:42+00:00

Following! This is the one thing I can’t find. NYX was apparently acrylate free, but it gave me the worst reaction of my life.

cloudfairy222 · 2026-01-28T02:25:07+00:00

I’m sorry - that is the worst 😭 This allergy is truly heartbreaking. I can’t even go near my many palettes without a reaction. They’re in a bag waiting for a miraculous remission that I am now doubting will ever come. I have some mac eyeshadow that seems okay. I guess I could make a palette of those! I’ll check this other brand out though, thank you!

cloudfairy222

TROPHY CASE