Contact Hives
Can you be allergic to a person?
Yesterday, I saw my dad for breakfast; neither of us had eaten anything yet. He hadn’t shaved in a few days and he kissed my cheek hello. Nothing unusual there, right? About halfway through the bfast he said with some alarm, “Your face! You have red welts? Is that from me?”
“Yup.” I already knew I had welts on my face. I could feel them, raised clusters of bumps that were itchy and hurting. There wasn't much to do as they go away after time, maybe some ice if I think of it. But I wasn’t surprised it happened, nor was I overly alarmed, although I'm sure it didn't look pretty.
This has been happening since I was a baby. Sensitive skin. To wool, perfumes, hand creams, face creams, make-up. The list goes on. Many of those early childhood reactions have lessened over the years. I can wear cashmere now without a silk undershirt. Woo hoo! I still can’t use Ivory soap as I get hives on my palms.
But beard stubble, that’s always been a big one and remains so. Funny, right?
I have friend Michael who every single time he kisses me hello, his goatee kills me and I have hives on my chin for hours afterwards. With some men's beards it’s worse than others. My college boyfriend shaved twice daily partly to keep my face from being a welty mess, sweet guy.
I’ve had readers ask me about cosmetic allergies, specifically concerns about mother’s kissing their babies whilst wearing make- up (and I’m gonna do a longer post about that soon) but do any of you get welts from getting kissed with beard stubble?
Yesterday, I saw my dad for breakfast; neither of us had eaten anything yet. He hadn’t shaved in a few days and he kissed my cheek hello. Nothing unusual there, right? About halfway through the bfast he said with some alarm, “Your face! You have red welts? Is that from me?”
“Yup.” I already knew I had welts on my face. I could feel them, raised clusters of bumps that were itchy and hurting. There wasn't much to do as they go away after time, maybe some ice if I think of it. But I wasn’t surprised it happened, nor was I overly alarmed, although I'm sure it didn't look pretty.
This has been happening since I was a baby. Sensitive skin. To wool, perfumes, hand creams, face creams, make-up. The list goes on. Many of those early childhood reactions have lessened over the years. I can wear cashmere now without a silk undershirt. Woo hoo! I still can’t use Ivory soap as I get hives on my palms.
But beard stubble, that’s always been a big one and remains so. Funny, right?
I have friend Michael who every single time he kisses me hello, his goatee kills me and I have hives on my chin for hours afterwards. With some men's beards it’s worse than others. My college boyfriend shaved twice daily partly to keep my face from being a welty mess, sweet guy.
I’ve had readers ask me about cosmetic allergies, specifically concerns about mother’s kissing their babies whilst wearing make- up (and I’m gonna do a longer post about that soon) but do any of you get welts from getting kissed with beard stubble?
Comments
LOLOLOL. i would hope not.
I'm trying to figure out what has caused her eczema to flare and spread to all over her front and back since school started. We're working right now with the doctors, teacher and school nurse.
It is emotionally exhausting and painful to watch my child in such...agony (which is the only way I can describe it).
hmm that is a quandary
if you've tried everything [and i'm thinking over 5 years that has included looking into his cologne, his moisturizer, his shampoo etc] have you visited an allergist together?