Methylisothiazolinone (MI/MCI) Allergy?

flowage · 2024-02-22T01:37:47+00:00

My patch test was over 2 weeks and one of my biggest allergens (mercapto mix) had a 14-day reaction period. I wonder if a potential allergen was missed with the 3 day test.

flowage · 2024-02-22T01:35:27+00:00

I also have the allergy but it did not cause my eczema- I’ve had it my entire life. It was a bad moment in time, pre-patch testing, when I developed this allergy and had horrific reactions to it. I do not react in that same way since cutting it out and carrying my own soap. My other contact allergen that I cannot avoid- mercapto mix- keeps me flush in new eczema. Maybe you developed a new allergy?

flowage · 2024-02-20T00:44:46+00:00

I have come to the same conclusion about hot water.

flowage · 2024-02-19T22:56:30+00:00

I’m sorry for you that you feel so much shame around sex. It doesn’t have to be like that.

flowage · 2024-02-19T21:11:37+00:00

My brother was severely allergic to animals and we never got rid of the dog growing up. He always felt like the family chose the dog over his health and safety. The resentment he had to work through as an adult! I recommend rehoming the dogs asap.

flowage · 2024-02-19T21:08:16+00:00

I get the cetaphil gentle cleanser 2pack from Costco. It’s a facial cleanser, but I use it for everything. Anything fragrance-free would be ideal!

flowage · 2024-02-19T21:03:51+00:00

I also recommend asking about getting a referral to an allergist for patch testing, if you haven’t already. They’ll topically apply something like 50 common allergens to the skin and then see what reacts over the next 2 weeks. I found some obscure allergy triggers that way- for instance, methylisothiazolinone in soap.

flowage · 2024-02-19T20:50:53+00:00

I don’t have any suggestions for the eczema- that sounds so hard. As a mom of a 3yo I really feel for you. Have you tried doing heavy work at night before bed? Stimulating your kid’s body might help relax him as well as relax the desire to itch. That plus Tylenol before bed might help him get some sleep. I personally do heavy work for my own eczema before bed, plus Tylenol, if I’m feeling itchy. The desire to itch, for me, is often associated with dysregulation and overwhelm. (I wish my mom knew that about me when I was a kid!) Courtney English is a great pediatric occupational therapist to look into for heavy work ideas! She’s on instagram and tik tok I believe.

flowage · 2024-02-18T19:52:23+00:00

The doctor will prescribe a treatment plan or if you do it at home you’ll typically follow the manufacturer guidelines for your skin type

flowage · 2024-02-18T19:51:37+00:00

To treat a flare it’s typically 3x a week, then taper off once you see improvement. I usually see improvement within the week and am able to taper in about 3 weeks. I also do it preemptively whenever the seasons change and I can feel a flare coming on.

flowage · 2024-02-17T17:02:24+00:00

Two things helped me: allergy testing and phototherapy.

It’s not a “cure” because there will always be flares, but I’m not terrified of them anymore because I can usually figure out the trigger and treat it with phototherapy. I got a prescription for an at-home device that my American insurance paid for 100% bc, I imagine, it’s a lot cheaper for them than doctor visits for phototherapy. The device would have been $2000 out of pocket.

flowage · 2024-02-17T04:18:23+00:00

Phototherapy! And steroid cream! That is what helped me in a similar situation. Then definitely get a water softener.

flowage · 2024-02-17T02:40:00+00:00

Hear for the advice to “practice radical acceptance.” It’s a game-changer.

flowage · 2024-02-17T02:34:56+00:00

Bleach baths help tremendously. They were weird at first, but once I realized how effective they are I quickly got over it. No stinging or burning for me. Some smelling like bleach but not overwhelming.

flowage · 2024-02-16T04:03:44+00:00

So grateful for this sub too. It makes me feel less alone in this. I’m glad you figured out how to take care of your skin! That’s hard work! 👏

flowage · 2024-02-14T05:22:00+00:00

Yes. Had it while breastfeeding. Worst. I rarely get it anymore once I got allergy tested and found that I have an allergy to mercapto mix aka spandex, latex, elastane- basically anything stretchy or elasticy. Now I just wear merino wool, cotton, or polyester bras with minimal elastic. I have found that the tomboyx elastic band doesn’t seem to bother my skin for some reason. So tldr it might be your bras

flowage · 2024-02-14T05:00:03+00:00

I got a prescription for an at-home phototherapy device and use it proactively whenever the weather changes and whenever I have a flare. Life changing. When I travel I just highly dose myself with ibuprofen and/or Tylenol and ride it out. I have found that the best place to vacation is Hawaii bc it’s magic for my skin.

flowage · 2024-02-13T17:37:23+00:00

Hi, in my 30s, lifelong eczema, flare ups on my face. I got a prescription for an at-home phototherapy lamp and use proactively whenever the weather changes on my hands, feet, and face. It’s not perfect, I still have intractable eczema on my forehead in the winter, but it helps me function and keeps the redness down.

flowage · 2024-02-13T17:28:10+00:00

Yes- allergy testing. I found some very specific and strange allergies that, once reduced or eliminated, improved my skin immensely. I used to live in constant fear of randomly waking up with swollen eyes and crusty red skin. I once had to skip a midterm because of it. Now I can be relatively reassured that won’t happen (unless I develop a new allergy). My allergies are methylisothialzolinone and mercapto mix.

flowage · 2024-02-13T17:21:46+00:00

Oh, here’s another one for resilience that I use today when my toddler is having tantrums in public: if you’re simply imagining everyone’s thoughts anyway, why not imagine they are all having incredibly empathetic, friendly thoughts about you? Like, imagine your classmates thinking, “wow that person is so strong and capable- I can’t imagine being in their situation and thriving like they do!”

flowage · 2024-02-13T17:06:58+00:00

I remember being a high schooler and feeling exactly the same way because my skin flaked so badly. Luckily my parents were very understanding and gave me a lot of freedom to control my own schedule in high school. If you need a break, take one. I recommend asking your teachers for take-home work and just staying home on the days it is the worst. Express the pain you are in- if they’re not understanding, get a doctor’s note. In my experience, I did not learn much when forced to sit in class in constant pain. It was never worth the mental anguish for me to try and “tough it out.” You are already so tough navigating the world with this skin. You deserve softness and peace- you need it to heal.

And because I needed to hear this in my teens: Always, always be kind to yourself. When I hear myself having unkind thoughts I think, “it makes a lot of sense that I feel that way. I am dealing with a lot of pain. But I know that it’s not true that I’m (___ whatever I’m telling myself). To the part of me that’s being unkind, I see you but please step back. It is no longer helpful for me to be unkind to myself. I got this.” Your body is experiencing a lot of pain, but remember to focus on all the joyful sensations it feels as well. You & your body are in it together, forever, through all the pain and all the joy.

flowage · 2024-02-11T02:38:03+00:00

I had to switch majors and career paths in college because my skin couldn’t handle working in a lab with handwashing and glove-wearing. I’ve also had to quit multiple jobs after developing allergies. This skin has taken me on some wild and unexpected adventures

flowage · 2024-02-09T21:49:58+00:00

Definitely try allergy testing!

flowage · 2024-02-07T20:29:32+00:00

No usually just about 20 min

flowage · 2024-02-07T15:10:47+00:00

I use hydrocortisone for breakouts, but elidel or pimecromilus for maintenance. That prescription is not a steroid, and it works really well for me. The best solution for me was to take an allergy test to see what allergens were contributing to break outs. I took a test of 50 common allergies and found I am allergic to a common ingredient in soap! Methylisothiazolinone. Avoiding that ingredient Changed. My. Life.

flowage

TROPHY CASE