THE WOMAN BEHIND THE MASK The Red Face

Dealing with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS) can be very challenging.   Today I woke up with my face full of red blotches.   I look like I have the measles.   I have to narrow down what I ate or have been around to cause this breakout.  I’m on Benadryl and Zyrtec.   I also use a cream on my skin to help calm down the reaction.  I am hoping the redness and itching will fade soon.   I started to eliminate medications, supplements, and food to see what could  be triggering this reaction.  I also need to stay home to ensure I’m not exposing myself to something that may be causing this reaction.   This is a time consuming process and can be frustrating.  MCS is just what it says, multiple.   Chemicals can be found in clothes, pillows, mattresses, foods, medicine, etc.    The chemical reactions can be as severe as anaphylactic or minor like my face being full of red blotches and itching all over.   I changed pillows because I have been experiencing neck and shoulder pain for weeks.   The pillow I switched to may have latex or some chemical aggregating me.   I also ate a bag of Cheetos.   I haven’t had Cheetos in awhile.  I could be having an allergic reaction to the small amount of canola oil in the Cheetos.   My life is complicated yet I have found a way to live with this disability.   I get down when I start having body pain and reactions especially when  I can’t figure out where it is coming from.   Then I tell myself it could be worse.   I’m still alive and I can be thankful that it’s not worse.  The mold exposure caused the MCS.  The MCS cause multiple reactions so I have to careful where I go, what I wear, what I touch and what I eat.    The mold exposure caused several diagnoses like siniusits, muscle spasms, myofascial pain, allergic responses, joint pain, chronic rhinitis, etc.   I try  everyday to be better.   I seek medical assistance mentally, physically, and emotionally.   I mediate, pray and believe this too shall pass.   MCS is not my life.  I declare and decree I shall live and not die.  I will be able to wear wool and leather again.  I will be able to use perfume again (if I choose too).    I have to remain hopeful and faithful.   God won’t put more on me than I can bear.