cosmetic ingredients and flares

[LooGirl]

Hi,
Last night I was grazing thru a forum on here about hidden ingredients in cosmetics, lotions and shampoos, etc. Now I can't find the thread. Anyway, someone was warning against an ingredient called methylparabin (aka propylparaben). Someone suggested it causes flares in the bladder. The more I read, the more frightened I became,because this ingredient is in EVERYthing, from makeup to soaps.

And I got to thinking, are we perhaps OVERreacting to all this information? I don't mean to play devil's advocate; it's just that sometimes I get on these message boards and I think maybe there is TOO much information, and this can be destructive rather than constructive. I mean, certainly we should not be using harsh soaps in our genetal area, but is it really true and factual that whatever we put on our face and skin will eventually find it's way to our bladder and set off a flare? I am trying so hard to do all the right things here, to follow the diet religiously, to take all my meds (which I hate!!), even to do PH tests on my drinking water.

If I now have to take away all my wonderful girly-smelly lotions from Bath & Bodyworks (the only fun indulgence I seem to have left) and stop wearing makeup, well, what's NEXT???? Are these claims about these ingredients based on scientific fact, or are they just heresay? Has anyone out there actually done an experiment to see if these ingredients are indeed harming them?

Don't get me wrong. I really appreciate all the info and feedback I read on these boards. And I believe we are all on here to help each other cope with this hideous disease. But sometimes I just get so worked up and scared after getting on here, I wonder if it does more harm than good, if all this info is really neccessary or just alarmist? I would be very interested to hear what you all have to say about this. I really don't want to go through my house and throw away all my bath and beauty products if it's not neccessary.

Oh, and how do you actually tell if you are chemical-sensitive? Wouldn't it manifest in more than just your bladder? Wouldn't you also experience headaches, sinus and/or resperatory problems as well? I don't have any of these symptoms, just a constant burn in my bladder.

Thanks for listening!

[kelly McC]

I found myself so scared early on when I was diagnosed and pretty strick with what I did and did not do. I would get frightend and alarmed and think oh my is that me. I did finally get over it and now I do trial and error. If something bothers me I leave it alone if not I go for it. I do have chemical sensitivity but I also have pretty bad allergies. So for me alot of those soaps and sprays do bother me but mostly my skin not my bladder.Mine was diagnosed by my allergist. Not saying it cant cause bladder irritation I have no idea. I am a hair stylist and a few of my doctors have suggested the chemicals may cause havic for me but I love what I do and for now I am sticking with it. I think we all have to do what is best for us and remember everyone is different.
Kelly

[desolationangel]

i understand what you're saying about feeling overwhelmed by the list of "Can'ts." you know, it would have sucked enough to get, say, a soy allergy, but ALL of this? really not cool.

what i say is, remove the things that might obviously irritate your urethral area, like scented soaps or shampoos that will wash down to the area. i think that's the concern with chemicals- that they affect the urethra, not the bladder. so scented lotion on your skin *shouldn't* be a problem unless you're very, very sensitive. i know i'm not giving up my manic panic makeup for anything-- it's one of the view crazy things i have left!

[sacausa]

I think that some people actually flare from the stress caused by trying to avoid all of the things that maybe could make them flare. I love Bath and Body Works too and use alot of their stuff. I have had no flares from their stuff. I did sneeze alot when I used some their products before I started with Allegra. Just trust your instinct. Stress can really make someone flare. Consequently, if your girly-smelly stuff makes you de-stress and feel better then I would suggest that you keep on using them.... I really doubt that it would affect the bladder itself. Ooooh by the way, Bath and Body Works has a new line from Europe called Tutti Dolci that smells delicious.... they have scents like lemon meringue, chocolate fondue, angel food cake, creme brulee and alot of other yummy stuff! My all-time favorite scented stuff is from the Body Shoppe....I'm absolutely in love with their passion fruit scented shower gel, lip gloss, cream and all of the other yummy stuff!!! :) :woohoo:

[LooGirl]

Hah! I think you're right about that!!! I know I spend most of my day worrying about every little move I make, every morsel of food I ingest, every hair that falls out of my head. I am a car's length away from jumping off a very high bridge over this horrible disease. This is no way to live, so I hope I (we) can figure some of this stuff out and just R-E-L-A-X some day, some way....

[ICNDonna]

If I can chime in here, I'd just like to say that scented soaps can be an irritant to the perineal area. I find I do best if I use a gentle soap, but I have skin problems and that's the reason. I do occasionally use scented shower gel (I love fresia), but mostly I use Neutrogena.

I have to agree that we can become obsessive if we aren't careful. If something isn't bothering your IC, I say go for it. I don't use a lot of makeup, but I don't plan to give it up. I've been using it for all of my 30 years with IC and it hasn't bothered my bladder yet --- neither has lotion --- I do have to be careful about kinds of lotion, but that's because of sensitive skin, not because of IC.

Sending warm encouraging hugs,
Donna

[Sarojini]

Hi all...

I have to agree here... I don't have many problems with cosmetics at all these days, at least not since seeing an excellent allergist. I can use most things without a reaction. However, I do use Johnsons Baby Wash on my vulvar region when needed, as I AM very careful about what goes on that part of my body. However, as for lotions, creams, and other things like makeup, I seem to be able to tolerate most of that stuff quite well.. although I do prefer if it says "dermatologist tested" and "hypoallergenic" on the package. As an Avon representative, I use mostly Avon products now, and one thing I love is all of the products have been rigorously tested -- for example, the Moisture Therapy Intensive body lotion was even tested in hospitals! These products are hypoallergenic and so far I have not had a single reaction on myself or any of my customers :)

One of my customers, Tracy (ibtracy on the boards), uses these things too and as far as I know she has not reacted to any of the products either -- is that right, ibtracy??? ;) (PS --- yay 2 more days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D)

[ibtracy]

Yes, you're right Sarojini, I have yet to have a reaction to the Avon soap line. I love all the products I've boughten from you so far. Yes, you're right 2 more days until you come, tomorrow we can say only 1 more day! :woohoo: ;)

I bet these other ICN people think we're a little crazy, Jen. :loco: :rolleyes:

I can't wait for your visit...talk you tomorrow!

Tracy K.