Ruth Holroyd's Blog, page 3

Why I threw out all my old bras

Those of you who follow What Allergy regularly may have seen a previous blog about soft, comfy non-wired bras; I went down a rabbit hole of research and discovered loads of options. Check out “Wireless comfy soft bras for sensitive skin” for the full run down of kinder bras for those sensitive types out there.

But first, a rant about boobs and bras!

Your boobs are the least interesting thing about you

Before we get to the great bras, let’s look at the thought processes that got me to the point of finally finding joyful comfortable bras. I realise this is a step away from my usual blog posts but it really grinds my gears. Society is obsessed with boobs and the fashion industry has leapt on that band wagon. Bras that lift, shape, squeeze in to create a shelf you could pop your coffee on. It’s crazy when you pick it all apart.

Years of wearing wired bras that always left a red deep sore indentation didn’t prepare me for TSW. Topical Steroid Withdrawal has really made me look inside myself and analyse what’s really important, because having oozy sore boobs meant I had to stop wearing one at all.

Why we should stop commenting on boobs

Having a great pair of tits has always been one thing people, particularly men have always complimented me on. For the record guys, if you don’t yet know someone by name or anything about them, telling them their ‘boobs look great’ tells us more about a man than we ever need to know. There is more to anyone than their looks; what do they love doing? what are their hobbies? What subjects are they passionate about like advocating, safeguarding, child protection, the book they’re reading. If you think the shape and appearance of a woman’s rack is the most important thing to compliment her on you need to check yourself guys.

The fact that people will rank or judge someone on their chest size is pretty odd, when the rest of our bodies must resemble how we were as prepubescent girls; no body hair, flat stomachs, no wrinkles or grey hair. What is wrong with aging? What is wrong with all bodies being different and accepting how we all look? You can tell this all really grinds my gears.

Boobs come in all shapes and sizes and droop with age!

It’s absolutely fine to compliment someone on their looks and there is nothing wrong with wanting to look good yourself. I’m not judging anyone here. However, women come in all shapes and sizes. Can we not all just embrace that and be accepting of size and difference? Small boobs, big boobs, different sized boobs, boobs that go to the side, or are perky and point up… They’re all different and lovely and wonderful. Just parts of our bodies that require no comment.

If you value people based firstly on their looks you’re missing the best bit, because as we all know, boobs sag and looks fade. People, however are fascinating, ever changing and so compelling. It’s what we talk about, think about and how we approach life that make someone really attractive. Can you start to look past the boobs? This is for men and women because we all look and we all compare. Even I am probably guilty of doing that, but they really are just the luck of birth. Bigger boobs honestly, can be a right pain when trying to exercise, have a massage on your front, trying to find clothes and bras that fit!

Do my boobs look good in this?

Bras are not always designed with comfort in mind. The fashion industry is completely broken in my opinion, and here’s why. As women we are judged on how we look and in particular our chests. How big, how perky, how do we fill our dresses and tops? Do our boobs look good in this? It’s absolutely ridiculous. They are just tits, just a part of our body. Yet we encase these complex globes in tight, painful, wired cages that ensure they are on show for all to see in their most pert glory. The day I chose soft comfy bras was kind of a miracle!

I no longer want to rip off my bra the minute I get homeI don’t have red indentations where the wires dig into the fleshI’m not struggling with those tricky tiny little clasps at the back that do them up – honestly who designed bra fittings? I forget I’m wearing one because they’re so comfy

Years of hating on bras is over! I just don’t care now. The standards we are help up to no longer interest me. We are meant to look pretty, make the most of our assets, but not look too pretty or have too much on show because that’s just slutty. From now on I will wear a bra, or not. Show some cleavage if I want to, or not. It’s of no interest. But let’s make me comfy ladies!

Why is it so hard to find bras that fit?

My views on this have changed so much in the last few years and I’ve finally let go of all the expectations and embraced my ever sagging uniboobs. The reason it’s so hard to find bras that fit are many and myriad.

Those wires – We don’t wear any other clothing that has wires. Those crinoline skirts of olden times that keep your skirts all poofy have disappeared and corsets are blissfully a thing of the past. So why do most bras still work by shoving a wire under them?Tiny clips to fasten – It never gets easier to fasten some bras, and many of us have to turn the bra around, fasten at the front and twist the bra round to fit.Stiff itchy material – Lacy bits, stiff ribbed bits, synthetic material, all intended to lip, push, pull and make boobs look attractive. They’re just sitting there up front, just doing their thing. Listen to your boobs and you’ll hear them crying out for something softer and comfier.Unsymmetrical boobs – Many women don’t have perfectly symmetrical boobs. If you have this problem, check out Evenly – the bra balancers who make products for this very problem.Fashion not comfort – Despite the fact that bras are underwear and remain unseen by most, they are designed purely for aesthetic design. If men had boobs you can bet they’d be very different.

Do you love your bras or hate them? Even if you don’t have sensitive skin you owe your chest the best! See what’s out there and find comfort instead of fashion. Your boobs will thank you!

Why I love Julie May Bras so much

I have found some really lovely bras from Julie May Lingerie that are pretty, affordable, soft and comfortable. These were gifted – thanks so much to Julie May for the kindness. Finances have been really tough so I’d not have been able to afford new bras otherwise.

I’ve worked with Julia May Lingerie before and shared my faves online so I was thrilled by the offer to work with them again. Here’s why I love them so much

Extensive range – These guys don’t just have one or two non wired bras to offer, they have loads. I think I counted over 20 on their website. This then causes a problem for me because too much choice and I’m totally overwhelmed. I found it incredibly hard to choose from their huge selection but I guess that’s a nice problem to have.Expert advise – The staff at Julie May, (Thanks Awena) are so helpful. I ordered a few and none of them fitted. I’ve put on weight and found it hard to work out what size would fit despite using the size guide and measuring before ordering. Due to having uneven breast sizes it can be really hard to find bras that look right and feel comfy on both boobs. After a few phone calls, we found some, I chose a few sizes and sent back those that didn’t fit. It worked for me and I now have a new comfy bra and knicker set. I don’t know any other companies who offer this personal service and help.Allergy safe – With approval from Allergy UK, all the bras sold by Julie May Lingerie are guaranteed safe for those with nickel or latex allergies.Gentle on skin – All their bras are made with soft material, many are cotton and all will be kind to sensitive skin. The one I most recently received is 100% silk – Check out the Peony bra.

Visit Julie May Lingerie today to find your next comfy bra! They have lots of reductions at the moment and you could get 10% off your first order! I honestly can’t thank them enough because I was almost in tears at one point, wailing ‘It fits on one breast but not the other’… help! Julie May helped me find a bra that was more forgiving of this issue and I love them.

You may also be interested in reading:The shape of skin – eczema poems for sensitive peeps!What if you couldn’t have your Ventolin inhaler?Representation of real skin in mediaThe post Why I threw out all my old bras first appeared on What Allergy Blog.

Flying with allergies – Airlines can do better!

In this guest blog post from my favourite allergen safe snack company, Creative Nature raises the topic of airline travel for those with allergies.

Enhancing Airline Travel for Allergy Sufferers: A Call for Inclusive Changes

Airline travel has opened up new horizons for global exploration, yet the journey for those with allergies often comes with hurdles that dampen the excitement. Despite notable strides, there’s a pressing need for a more comprehensive approach to ensure safe and inclusive air travel for individuals with allergies.

The current situation

While some changes have been made by airlines to cater to allergic passengers, there remain crucial gaps demanding attention. Allergen-free meal options are offered, but contamination risks during preparation persist, and coverage for all allergens is lacking. Inconsistent pre-boarding and in-flight announcements leave travellers uncertain about allergen exposure. Another concern arises from fellow passengers who might disregard nut-free guidelines. Even with announcements, nothing prevents them from consuming their own nut-based snacks.

At Creative Nature, we’re committed to the safety of all flyers. Airlines must step up to ensure the well-being of every passenger. Our mission includes fostering safe eating habits in-flight and educating fellow travellers about the gravity of avoiding nuts during air travel.

Educating Airline Crew

A pivotal move toward improving allergy-friendly air travel revolves around proper training for airline staff. Thorough education on allergen awareness, emergency protocols, and use of allergy-related medical tools, like epinephrine auto-injectors, is paramount for flight attendants and ground crew. Standardized training across airlines, regularly updated to align with medical guidelines, could prove life-saving.

Effective Communication

Open and consistent communication is fundamental to addressing allergy-related concerns. Airlines should introduce uniform pre-boarding announcements to alert passengers about allergens, coupled with guidance on minimising risk. In-flight announcements should reinforce this information and provide instructions for allergy-related emergencies. Moreover, airlines could establish dedicated website sections outlining allergy policies, accommodations, and steps passengers can take to ensure their safety.
If a passenger onboard has a nut allergy, a strict ‘no-nut consumption’ policy should be enforced, not just a suggestion to ‘refrain.’ Enhanced clarity is needed before boarding, potentially including a notation on tickets for nut-free flights and a plea to avoid bringing nut-based products onboard.

Improving Allergen-Free Dining Choices

Although some airlines offer allergen-free meals, there’s room for advancement in terms of variety, availability, and preparation methods. Collaborating with allergen experts and nutritionists, airlines can craft extensive menus catering to diverse allergies. Emphasis must be placed on averting cross-contact during meal preparation and service by using separate utensils and designated preparation areas.
Expanding provision of allergen-safe snacks across airlines is crucial. This shift would ensure uniform food options for all passengers, eliminating life-threatening situations. Our contribution comes in the form of a range of allergen-free snacks designed to cater to the needs of all flyers.

Allergy-Conscious Seating

Designating allergy-friendly seating zones on aircraft could offer a safer haven for allergic passengers. Stringent cleaning practices in these areas would minimise allergen exposure risk, while distancing from allergen-prone zones would be ensured. Allergic passengers could request seating in these specialised zones during booking, providing an added layer of protection.

“My stance on this issue is clear. Merely touching a surface contaminated with the allergen or inhaling it from someone eating nuts in close proximity could trigger an anaphylactic shock, causing me to stop breathing and potentially die. Passengers should be informed not to consume nuts on board, and if they refuse to comply, the nuts should be confiscated. I want to persuade airlines to treat passengers with allergies equally and provide them with the same level of consideration as other passengers receive. Why should people with allergies be denied the right to fly or go unaccommodated?”

Founder of Creative Nature, Julianne Ponan MBE

As our world grows more interconnected, fostering an inclusive airline travel experience is imperative for those with allergies. Despite progress, a comprehensive overhaul is necessary to ensure the safety and comfort of these travelers. Through rigorous staff training, transparent communication, improved allergen-free dining choices, and dedicated allergy-friendly seating, we can reshape air travel into an empowering journey for everyone, allergies notwithstanding. Advocating for these changes collectively can transform airline travel into an accessible and delightful adventure for all.

Please support this campaign. Visit Creative Nature on Instagram to share, like, comment and join in the online debate!

Having just got back from my cruise holiday with P&O, safe snacking is an area where they could also do better. The staff were amazing and really helpful but there were things that could be improved. A new blog on cruise holidays with allergies coming soon.

Further reading:

I found a couple of other blogs that you might find interesting if you’re planning to fly with allergies

Flying with allergies – Nut Policies for 60 airlinesOne woman went to extreme measures. She bought 48 bags of nuts on her flight as the airline refused to not sell them. Read Passenger with severe nut allergies spends $185 on nuts!You may also find the following blogs interesting:We need to talk about my Gnawbles habit!My favourite soup and bowl mealsPlease stop using the word suffererThe post Flying with allergies – Airlines can do better! first appeared on What Allergy Blog.

10 simple hacks to safely patch test your skincare

If you have sensitive skin, eczema, psoriasis or topical steroid withdrawal it’s likely you’ve tried a hundred different products with little success. Many skin care brands can cause irritation to allergy prone skin so you need to be careful, always check ingredients and ALWAYS patch test before using.

What is skin care testing?

Not to be confused with allergy patch testing, you can test any skincare products safely in your own home. It’s so easy to do, and is advisable when trying any new skincare product. Never slather anything on without testing. If you plan to have a tattoo or get your hair dyed, always patch test as both of these can cause serious and dangerous reactions.

10 tips to patch test skincare productsAsk for a sample tester pot from the product or brand you want to try out. Many companies will supply these, particularly lovely independent brands.Wash or cleanse the area with warm water or cleanserUse a tiny drop behind your ear, wrist, behind elbow or somewhere it will not be seenYou can use something like a cotton bud to apply so it doesn’t come into contact with your handsWash hands after applying test dollopWait for a day or 24 hours to see if you see irritation.Bear in mind, when you start using new products, irritation can build up due to ingredients like Limonene, so even if you get a successful patch test, you still might react to build up a product, of after a few usesSome products may seem OK but react when exposed to oxygen on your skinLearn to listen to your skin, and note any itchiness, redness or irritation

Do not use any product that causes any irritation.

What’s the difference between an allergy and an irritation?

Sometimes people say they are allergic to a skincare product. The chances are they probably aren’t but it’s confusing, because irritation reactions can be serious and painful. Many ingredients in skincare products can be irritating to the skin, even natural things like oils, lanolin, etc.

Allergy – You can get patch testing done at your local dermatology clinic. They will apply plasters with tiny discs containing small quantities of allergenic or irritant contact allergens. These will be left on for a number of days before the patches are removed. A true allergy will cause a lasting and strong reaction that a dermatologist can determine.Irritation – Different things can just cause inflammation on the skin, this doesn’t always indicate a true allergy. It’s still vitally important to work out what causes your skin irritation so be vigilant, always test a small spot and amount before using new products and get to know the ingredients in products you are putting on your skin.Do you react to loads of skincare products?

You are not alone in this, I’ve been struggling to find suitable skincare products now for YEARS. I try something and it irritates me time and time again. I have given away or thrown away so much skincare, cleansers, emollients, balms etc. It gets so depressing and means we spend a fortune searching; all the while these products often promise the earth, a cure and more. It’s almost now like I’m so triggered even by the thought of trying new things that I’ve stopped accepting samples. I have some favourite brands now and I’m sticking with them.

Do you struggle with irritation to skincare products? What was the worst thing you used? I’d love to hear your comments. Click here for my favourite products for discounts.

You may also be interesting in reading:Patch testing for contact allergens explainedTop ten tips for coping with a nickel allergyWhy you should never put SLS on skin but SLES is ok!

Photo by Jocelyn Morales on Unsplash

The post 10 simple hacks to safely patch test your skincare first appeared on What Allergy Blog.

Hospital admissions for life-threatening allergic reactions ‘more than double’

The number of hospital admissions for life-threatening allergic reactions has more than doubled in the last 20 years, according to research figures from the NHS and MHRA published in the Guardian.

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) say that in 2022/23 there have been 25,721 admissions to England’s hospitals for allergies and anaphylaxis, which is more than double the 12,361 two decades before.

You can read, ‘Hospital admissions for life-threatening allergic reactions ‘more than double’ here.

How many anaphylaxis admissions are due to food allergies?

As someone with a food allergy, these are the figures I’m most interested in. Apparently, ‘For food-related anaphylaxis and other adverse reactions, the figures jumped from 1,971 admissions in 2002/03 to 5,013 last year.’ This is way more than double and very worrying.

Why have hospital admissions for anaphylaxis doubled?

There could be many reasons for this rise, but what it’s important to understand, is that despite this increase in admissions, the number of fatalities has gone down. In an article from 2021, it was found that Deaths from food allergy rare and decreasing in the UK.

A doubling of numbers is a staggering statistic though. So why might that be? There could be many reasons:

Population increase – The article puts this down to a growing population but it seems higher than that to me.Increase in allergies – Allergies are rising each year so it makes sense for there to be more serious reactionsLess choice – Eating out got much harder during and after covid, restaurants are struggling and offering free from is one thing I thing has suffered. I’ve certainly noticed far less choice with many places choosing just to not offer anything suitable.Lack of understanding – Awareness of serious allergies is not rising along with the disease rise so we STILL have many many staff not getting sufficient training in allergen safety. It’s hard to know without detailed statistics tho, what the incident was that caused the hospital admission… ie. Was it at home, school, work or while eating out?Lack of allergy services – It’s not easy to get a proper diagnosis with a specialist so a lot of people don’t know how serious their allergy is until they eat the allergen again, reactions can get worse over time or be exacerbated by external things such as stress, alcohol, menstruation etc. This can mean people don’t know they are at risk and their first serious reaction is what results in their diagnosis.Poor training in food service – I’ve had a few near misses recently, where I’ve been given the wrong milk in cafes. In another pub, my oat milk came in the same jug as the normal milk and someone, without realising, used my oat milk and put it down elsewhere, meaning I ALMOST used the wrong milk. I did my test of putting a drop on my hand before pouring and had to ask for a fresh jug. The then brought it in a totally different jug. A learning experience for us all that day.Vegan food is not safe – he rise in veganism could also be a contributing factor. Being vegan doesn’t necessarily mean it’s dairy, egg or fish free. The regulations governing vegan labelling isn’t as strict and this food can and does often contain traces.Better record keeping – Records kept at hospitals are improving, for instance the admission could be recorded as asthma or other things and may not have always been recorded as anaphylaxis. Same with deaths – often a death from asthma or heart attack may have begun with anaphylaxis. It’s quite complex, particulary for those having their first ever allergic reaction as they won’t know what’s causing the issue.People not carrying Adrenaline – I see this so much, people with allergies don’t always carry two injectors with them. This is terrifying, and we MUST educate ourselves and our friends and family on the importance of this.Who records deaths from anaphylaxis?

My good friend Hazel Gowland was keeping this record on behalf of the Anaphylaxis Campaign. Hospitals must also record these deaths, but the it’s interesting to learn from what went wrong in each case so we can all hope to avoid it happening again. You can now report deaths and find out more about the UK Anaphylaxis Death registry. The BSACI holds the UKs Registry of Anaphylaxis Deaths.

How to respond to anaphlaxis

Do you know what to do in the event of anaphylactic attack? The advice has recently changed. Make sure you know how to potentially save a life:

Call 999 and say ANAPHYLAXIS – (ANA-FA-LAX-SIS)Admister adrenaline in outer mid thighUse second pen if no improvement in five minutesDo now move, do now walk, stay seated or laying down with feet raisedStay calm and try not to panic

The advice is to always carry two adrenaline autoinjectors with you at all times, this can be the difference between life and death. Make sure you have in date pens, carry them with you and also have trainer pens to practise with.

What do you think about this rise in allergy admissions?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Why are the on the rise and what can we do about it? Should we be worried? or his this just the normal progression of population rise and better diagnosis and reporting to A&E when it happens.

You may also be interested in reading:Updated advice for using adrenaline auto injectorsBuy Anaphylaxis – The Essential Guide20 tips for surviving cow’s milk allergy in cafesThe post Hospital admissions for life-threatening allergic reactions ‘more than double’ first appeared on What Allergy Blog.

OMG! Me in a film on eczema and mental health

In June this year I joined Lucy from Balmonds Skincare at ITN studies to take part in a video with the British Skin Foundation called Skin: Below the Surface, hosted by Louise Minchin. You can watch the Balmonds clip here:

The short film explores the importance of having choice in your own skin care, agency to follow a natural healing path, representation of different skin types, colours and conditions and the mental health challenges. To watch the whole film visit The British Skin Foundation Website.

Why choice and agency matters in eczema skin care

1. Choice matters: giving those living with chronic skin conditions a real choice in what they use to keep their skin in good condition is really important, not just to their physical but also emotional well-being.

In the interview with host Louise Minchin, Balmonds brand ambassador and award-winning writer on eczema and allergies, Ruth Holroyd, explains how important it is to her to be able to use natural products that don’t irritate her skin further and feel good to use; she highlights how Balmonds products are not just highly effective for keeping her skin moisturised, but are nice to use in a way that many standard paraffin-based creams aren’t – she talks of it as a kind of empowering self-care.

Importance of representation of skin differences and colours

We talked about how emotionally painful it can be to live with eczema, and how vital it is for us to see all kinds of different tones and types of skin represented by brands, not just unattainable flawless perfection.

The Balmonds brand proactively amplify the voices of those with chronic skin conditions, and always strive represent real people with real skin on their marketing materials. Their new website has done just that – it was an absolute thrill to take part in their latest photoshoot of real skin models for their website.

The acclaimed photographer Sophie Mayanne who runs the Behind The Scars project, was the perfect choise. Her unfiltered photos show Balmonds customers living with various different skin conditions.

If you’d asked me last year whether I’d be modelling for a skincare brand I’d have laughed in your face.

Addressing the psychological effects of chronic skin conditions

The programme took an in-depth view into the psychological effects of living with a skin condition and highlights how there can be much more to living with one than what’s on the surface. Exploring personal stories, innovation and research into the area and why there is a need now more than ever to understand the connection between the mind and the skin.The full programme is hosted on the British Skin Foundation website.

‘Skin: Below the Surface will amplify patient voices and create awareness around the psychological impact of skin conditions. 60% of the UK population currently suffer, or have suffered, from a skin condition and the research showing the impact on emotional wellbeing is clear. Whilst often overlooked as a cosmetic issue, we know the enormity of the impact skin conditions can have on mental health.’ Kelly Taylor from The British Skin Foundation

“Having sensitive skin can really affect every aspect of your life…  Finding natural products like Balmonds to help me maintain that, rather than these big tubs of lardy, greasy stuff, it’s like a bit of self care, something nice on my skin, that is promoting healing as well as moisturising and soothing.” Ruth Holroyd, award-winning blogger, WhatAllergy.com

Why try Balmonds skin care range?

Balmonds hero balm, Skin Salvation, has been put through numerous tests and trials to ensure its suitability for people with sensitive or allergy-prone skin:

Dermatologist approvedPaediatrician approvedDermatologically tested as suitable for those with sensitive skinDermatologically tested as suitable for those with atopic skinSkinSAFE Trusted Choice For Sensitive Skin

SAMPLES AVAILABLE: please get in touch with Lucy on lucy@balmonds.com if you’d like to request samples. And use my code, WHATALLERGY for 20% off everything you buy from Balmonds.

You may also be interested in reading:Representation of REAL skin in media and the time I was a model for the dayTop 10 Things that REALLY helped my eczema skinParaffin is the worst thing for eczema skinBuy The Shape of Skin, by me! loads of amazing poetry for eczema peopleThe post OMG! Me in a film on eczema and mental health first appeared on What Allergy Blog.

Why you should never use SLS but SLES is the best!

If you have sensitive skin the chances are you’ll know all about Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and how bad it can be for the skin. It used to be an ingredient in all the eczema and dry skin emollients but is now widely known to be a skin irritant. You’ll see so many products labelled as SLS free.

But what about SLES? Many people wrongly assume these two skincare ingredients are the same or at least in some way related but they’re nothing alike. Read on to find out more…

Understanding the Difference: SLS vs. SLES in Haircare

For those who prioritise conscious beauty and have sensitive skin like yours, it’s essential to be familiar with SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) and SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate), two common ingredients found in many beauty products, especially shampoos. While they share similar names, there is a significant distinction between the two.

What is SLS used for in skincare?

SLS, also known as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate, is widely used as a surfactant in shampoos. Its purpose is to trap oil-based dirt, allowing it to be washed away with water. Additionally, SLS creates the rich lather we associate with cleansing our hair, giving us a satisfying washing experience.

What does SLS do to sensitive skin and scalps?

It is a known irritant and can lead to dry, cracked, and tender skin, which can be particularly problematic for those with sensitive skin or scalp issues like Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW), psoriasis and eczema.

Furthermore, shampoos containing SLS have been linked to hair weakening and loss over time. It can linger in hair follicles, gradually weakening them, which is a concern for individuals seeking stronger and healthier hair. If you use a shampoo with SLS make sure to rinse twice to help avoid the effects.

SLES won’t irritate your scalp and skin

In contrast, Olsson’s Allergy UK approved haircare products contain SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate), derived from SLS through a process called ethoxylation. This process makes the compound much gentler on the skin and hair. Unlike SLS, SLES won’t irritate the scalp or strip it of essential moisture, providing a more nurturing and nourishing experience, which I can vouch for!

Olsson hair care for sensitive skin Why Olsson uses SLES in their skin safe hair care products

Harnessing the benefits of SLES along with other skin-friendly ingredients like Aloe Vera, Pro Vitamin B5, and Glycerine, Olsson have formulated the ultimate “pure performance” haircare collection. This enables all individuals, including those with skin sensitivities, to achieve clean, shiny, and nourished hair.

ALWAYS patch test any product you use on sensitive skin

As you will know, the complex nature of allergies and sensitivities means that the brand cannot guarantee that their products won’t irritate, but they do offer a free patch test (all you pay is the postage) – which is a great way to find out if the haircare is right for you and SLES is kind enough for your sensitivity.

For any enquiries or concerns, Olsson have a dedicated team of experts, including professional Stylists and Chemists, who are eager to provide support and guidance. So, do ask them – in my experience, if they don’t know the answers, they will find out for you.

Get 10% off your first Olsson purchase.

I have an affiliate code that provides 10% off your first purchase – WHATALLERGY10 – just add it at the checkout, please note that I don’t promote anything I wouldn’t or don’t use myself, so feel free to DM me with any questions. You can also get sample testers to try before you buy.

Shop the collection here.

Comment below if you use Olsson Haircare, I’d love to hear your experience and I’m sure the community would too.

You may also be interested in reading:Topical Steroid Withdrawal – Frequently Asked QuestionsGet discounts on eczema and allergen friendly products that I love and useTop 10 things that really helped my eczema skinSodium lauryl sulfate – is it safe to use on your skin?The post Why you should never use SLS but SLES is the best! first appeared on What Allergy Blog.

Crikey I’m in the Top 10 Best UK Eczema Blogs

This month Whatallergy.com was listed as one of the Top Ten Eczema Blogs by Feedspot. Another fantastic opportunity to celebrate excellent bloggig!

If you have eczema there are some other great eczema blogs to follow; let’s share some eczema love.

Blogging can be a thankless task, and it’s so hard to get comments on blogs these days. Feedback, reviews and comments on your blog are so precious. Tell a blogger they’re great today and thanks to everyone who has supported my blog over the years.

Who are Feedspot?

If you’ve never heard of Feedspot before, they hold a huge Blogger Database. Companies can get access to 250K active Bloggers in 1500 niche categories. If you want to work with bloggers to get your product reviewed and approved, you can get in front of targeted influencers lists in your niche. People who could love your products at your fingertips, so you can focus on running your campaign. Email Feedspot the type of bloggers you want to reach out for your marketing campaign at anuj@feedspot.com. Feedspot will then share blogger’s data in an Excel or CSV format.

How do Feedspot make their blogger rankings?

Feedspot’s Rankings are based on the following criteria:

RelevancyBlog post frequency, freshness, total postsSocial media follower counts and engagementsDomain authorityHow old the blog is

Finding subjects to blog about that help others is always one of my main objectives when blogging so sounds like I’m getting something right.

Who do Feedspot poll for their blogger rankings?

There are several ways they discover and find new blogs.

Publishers submit their blogs on Feedspot using the form on this page.We have a research team who does extensive research on google and social media platforms to discover new influencers.Feedspot has in-house media monitoring tools for discovering bloggers in several niche categories.

They have expert editorial team reviews each blog before adding it to a relevant category list. Blogs covering industry insights, news and personal opinions are given higher rankings than those promoting their own brand or products.

They also routinely remove inactive blogs and those which are no longer relevant to the list and they are updated if they receive new blog submissions and re-ranked every few weeks.

Pretty impressive and in depth analysis, so it’s a huge achievement to get into the top ten! Go me!

UK Eczema Blogs

So here they all are; The best UK Eczema blogs from thousands of blogs on the web and ranked by traffic, social media followers & freshness. Carefully curated, I give you… Feedspot’s 10 Best UK Eczema Blogs you should follow in 2023:

National Eczema Society – The UK charity for people with eczemaSugarpuffish – Sugarpuffish is a UK-based blog focused on promoting natural and organic skincare products. Founded by Sarah in 2010, the blog aims to help readers wi…moreThe ScratchSleeves Blog – The ScratchSleeves Blog is a blog dedicated to providing information, advice, and support to parents of babies and young children with eczema. Founded…moreEczema Clothing Blog – Eczema Clothing Blog is a blog dedicated to providing information on clothing and products suitable for those with eczema. Founded by Karen Fischer, a…more What Allergy Blog » Eczema – What Allergy Blog is a UK-based blog dedicated to providing information and support to those with allergies and eczema. Eczema Care Online Blog – Eczema Care Online Blog is a blog dedicated to providing information, resources, and support to those dealing with eczema. Founded in 2019 by Dr. Apar…moreThe Beauty of Eczema Blog – The Beauty of Eczema Blog is a blog dedicated to empowering and supporting those with eczema. Founded by Camille Knowles, who has suffered from severe  thebeautyofeczemaDont Scratch Blog – Dont Scratch Blog is a UK-based blog dedicated to providing advice and support to those suffering from eczema. The blog was founded in 2017 by Rache.  dontscratch.co.ukI’m trying to find out number 9And number 10! Watch this space…

Check out The Top 10 Best UK Eczema Blogs & Website from Feedspot here.

Who are your favourite eczema bloggers? Do you love blogs that are not listed here? I’ve love to hear from hear from other eczema bloggers and also to find new ones.

You may also be interested in reading:

If you loved this blog, you might enjoy reading some of my other blogs. Check these out:

The Top Ten things that really helped my eczema skinParaffin emollients are the worst thing for eczema skinGet paid for sharing your experiences with different diseasesThe post Crikey I’m in the Top 10 Best UK Eczema Blogs first appeared on What Allergy Blog.

Representation of ‘real skin’ in media

When was the last time you saw someone on TV, in a film, a sitcom, in a magazine or an advert for skin care products who actually had even the tiniest blemish? Representation of ‘real skin’ in our media needs to be addressed as a priority. I’m not saying all products must show really serious skin conditions but we rarely see anyone like us represented anywhere.

Here are the beautiful models on the day I joined the photoshoot. From left to right: Katie, Me, Jen and Bianca.

The skincare and cosmetic industry is messed up

I hate the skincare industry because most of it is unnecessary and expensive.

A billion dollar industry based purely on telling men and women they need to strive for better, perfection, clear and blemish free skin. And that the only way to achieve this is to invest in a tonne of different skincare products. You need to follow a daily regime of cleansing, toning, serums, moisturising and all to achieve everlasting youthfulness.

Most of it isn’t doing anything really that beneficial to your skin, but it is lining the pockets of companies who want you to buy into the trap.

There are some good skin care products

There are of course lots of really great cosmetic and skin care brands meeting the needs of the sensitive and allergy prone public. Products like Collagen and Hyaluronic acid and serums have been proven to help skin health, but often less is more. Be careful what marketing tactics you fall for; look for affordable and ethical brands and take a deep dive into what you’re putting on your skin.

If you follow my blogs and social media you’ll know that I have some favourite skin care brands, Balmonds being in my top three go to safe, natural and soothing balms.

What is real skin?

Real skin is many things, and yes sometimes it is clear as porcelain and blemish free, but real skin is also:

Wrinkled skinScarred skinLined skinTired skinDry skinRed SkinPigmented skinDamaged skin

It can be any colour and any condition and it means so very little about the person behind the face you see. What we look like is the least important thing about a person and yet we place so much value on perfection. Or what the skincare industry shows us is perfection.

Skincare brands need to do better

Most skincare products aimed at people with sensitive and allergy prone skin use models who have never had a bad skin day in their lives

Seeing a product advertised on models doesn’t make anyone want to buy itSeeing endless perfect skin is actually really triggering for those with problem skinIt makes us feel unworthy, like our skin should not be seen, celebrated and lovedWe’ve all tried a hundred products that didn’t work; using people with clear skin in advertising campaigns will only further alienate the audience you wish to appeal to.Let’s normalise different skin types and embrace not striving always for perfectionShowing perfect skin with a photoshopped red circle isn’t good enough

If you want to sell your products to people with sensitive skin you better understand them and how they feel.

Balmonds photoshoot with real skin models

I would like to thank the team at Balmonds for inviting me and other skincare patient experts to join them for a day’s photoshoot for their website rebrand. It was an incredible day for me and I got to meet some truly amazing women. Check out the Balmonds website to see the new photographs live on their website.

Real skin models with different skin conditionsEczemaPsoriasisKeloid scarsTattooed skinChildrenDifferent skin coloursReal people and not modelsMothers and their childrenPeople with sensitive and allergy prone skinCustomers who regularly used Balmonds products

It was such a joy to see this diverse bunch of beautiful people with real skin and also to meet some of them on the morning I was at the photoshoot. If you’d asked me if I’d be a skin care model I’d have told you, “Are you were crazy?” so it was doubly moving to feel so included and ‘normal’. Click on the image below to find out about all the models used on the new revamped Balmonds website:

Can we all strive for more honesty and authenticity in skin presentation? I’m talking to you skin care brands! You can all do much better, but Balmonds get – 10/10

You may also be interested in reading:Why I hate E45 adverts for eczema skinPlease cover up your eczema and psoriasis, it offends me!Get discounts on eczema and allergy productsThe post Representation of ‘real skin’ in media first appeared on What Allergy Blog.

Top 10 things that REALLY helped my eczema skin

I get asked all the time for advice from people with eczema, topical steroid withdrawal and atopic dermatitis and find myself giving the same answer over and over again. The good news is that it’s not complicated. The bad news is that we are all completely different and complex. What works for one person may not work for others.

Quitting Topical Steroids and going through topical steroid withdrawal. Honestly it’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever done, it was excruciating and painful and is still healing, but I now feel so empowered and free. I don’t need creams with me at all times and have learnt so much about my own mental health along the way. It took everything away, literally everything, but through that absolute rock bottom I’ve now built a life that I love. If you want to know more about TSW, check out my Topical Steroid Withdrawal Frequently Asked Questions.Stopped using any paraffin based emollients – These are the first line of treatment for any patient showing up at the GP with a rash, atopic dermatitis or itchy skin. If the diagnosis is eczema or a similar itchy condition, you’ll likely get given a prescription for the cheapest, nastiest, gloopiest paraffin filled emollient to start with. These never worked for me as I was allergic to the SLS, an known irritant. Then you move onto the more lardy vasoline type emollients. I’m not discounting them outright, there were times when I couldn’t afford anything else and these kept me sane. My emollient of choice was Epaderm and I used tonnes of the stuff. I got a yearly pre payment card and was getting through 500g tubs each week at one point. Now I spot treat with my favourite natural balms. I cannot live without Lyonsleaf zinc and calendula cream for reducing inflammation, soothing and cooling my skin. I also never leave home with Balmonds Skin Salvation and tea tree balm – the latter is great for cold sores, eczeme herpiticum and any infected areas. Skin Salvation is my go to when my skin just feels so dry and irritated and sore. It is lovely, calming and not irritating for my skin at all. Also check out OBVS skincare paraffin free organic balm – it’s non fragranced and perfect for my handbag, for those days when I need gentle moisturising on my hands, face, anywhere at all really.Dead sea salt baths – Seriously this was what got me through TSW. The results are astounding. It can reduce inflammation by 50% of more and gives me so much relief. With TSW the inflammation is cycling but with regular baths I was able to function and my skin began to heal and get stronger. Particularly at the moment with hay fever season and pollen coming at you from all directions, it can be a really amazing management practise for sore skin. If you don’t have a bath, you can fill a bowl and dilute a cup full of dead sea salts and gently bathe or submerge parts of your body as best you can. I’ve done this when I’ve been away from home and it is just as effective, but you obviously don’t get that indulgent basking in warm water sensation.Managing irritation and inflammation rather than fighting it – There is a real tendency with all of us to want to find a solution and fix something. Accepting the situation gave me so much peace and release from the constant monitoring and trying new stuff to see if it helped. TSW complicates it all because it just really does take years to heal. But letting go and just looking for ways to manage and find comfort really helped. Stop just hurling all the treatments, supplements, balms and other things at it to see what helps and you’ll be letting go of the worst unpaid full time 24/7 job. There are so many things I do, like the dead sea salt baths, such as restorative yoga, yin yoga, journaling, walking, swimming in open water, running, gardening. Anything that helps you tap into that parasympathetic system, lower your heart rate and reduce anxiety.Going hard with my mental health – I never realised how much anxiety, depression, low mood and stress affected my skin. Literally, if i’m anxious I’m itchy. Noticing that and being able to take a moment to get some ice, try to relax and gently touch my skin instead of immediately resorting to scratching has been a game changer. I think scratching was my reward and if i’m honest, it feels amazing when you’re doing it, but the reward for this incredible release is painful damaged and often infected skin. Working on breaking that cycle slowly and also working on my internal thought patterns is now my ongoing challenge but I’m getting there. Water Softener – I’m reading Eczema Decoded by Caroline Akinyemi and she was the one who urged me to try getting a water softener. I knew that holidays in soft water areas were so amazing for my skin but we can’t all just move house, although if that is an option, it could be worth giving it a go. If you can’t just up sticks, a water softener is just the most amazing thing I’ve done. I don’t have tight itchy skin after a bath any more and barely moisturise – I spot treat my TSW problem areas but believe one day i’ll be completely free of that chore. I’ve written Three Blogs about how much I love Water Softeners.Cooling the skin – This could take many guises; when your skin is hot and irritated, be prepared with anything that could help. Ice blocks, Cosi Care rollers, jade rollers, cooling towels, fans, ventilate, wearing cooling cotton clothing. Just staying cool became my full time job. There are loads of things you can do. Check out 30 ways to cool your eczema skin.Finding your friends in common – The people I have met online through sharing my skin, eczema and topical steroid withdrawal healing have helped me so much. Many are now real in person friends, people who message me daily and who I’m building really rich and fulfilling relationships with. You can have different connections with people who really understand what you’ve gone through. Reach out and find your community!Collagen or the skin – One of the side effects of TSW for me was pretty savage collagen stripping. My face is definitely improving and I’m taking Pura Collagen daily to help promote further healing. You can use my code WHATALLERGY10 for 10% off the whole Pura range. For healthy skin, joints, menopause, sleep and more!Natural skin care products – Duoderm dressings – I’ve only just discovered Duoderm in my latter stages of healing, in June 2023, but I have to say I’ve been impressed. It acts as a second skin so I’ve been finding it really helps on palm pomplox and split fingers and knuckles, allowing me to get on with my day, work, gardening without pain and discomfort. I’ll do a separate post on this soon, as it was also helpful on nodular prurigo last month. It’s not cheap but could have been so helpful during some of the tough times when my fingers were such a mess.Getting my skin out – Bare your scars, show your legs and arms. Let your thickened, collagen stripped, inflamed skin feel the air on it, don’t be ashamed. I know how hard this is but honestly, we should not feel we need to hide our skin away at home for fear of offending anyone, or attracting unwanted attention. Most people won’t notice, won’t care and won’t comment.

I hope these things help, and hope you find something here to explore and look into. It’s been an incredible journey and I’ve learnt so much about my mental health that I wouldn’t have explored had I just been out there living my life, life before TSW feels like I was a different person.

Quick TSW update

So now I’m over 4.5 years through topical steroid withdrawal, where are we now?

The picture above is from my rock bottom stage, at year 3, which is rough to deteriorate so badly so late in the healing. I think this was when I stopped using paraffin emollients daily and it was a hardcore withdrawal. A few things I do not miss about TSW:

Zingers – No more nerve pain. Hated them so much, worst at night from the minute my head touched the pillow. Excessive Flaking – This has also now become a symptom of the past. I cannot fathom how fast my skin produced flakes, it was like being a human snow globe. I’m still shedding but they’re small now and not so painful.Heat regulation – No longer having so much over heating, acid sweats and poor temperature regulation. Feeling cold again is a joy. Wearing a jumper and snuggling up is such a comfort. Seriously, vest tops in winter! It was a thing.Elephant skin – That’s healing too. Slowly slowly it’s getting betterDeep creases – My face seemed to age dramatically, like i’d used an age filter. It’s slowly receding to maybe be just normal wrinkles that I can live with.Mirrors – Now I recognise myself again in the mirror and photos and no longer feel triggered at the deterioration and horror of my skin.Bone deep day long itching – This too has stopped. And I’m not joking, some days I’d get only a few hours of relief to get stuff done. I itched all day and all goddam night and it was relentless. I saw this as a sign of healing and it’s now minimal. Some days no itching, others just a bit, maybe an hour at the most.Eyebrows – Finally I have some baby brows and I’m going to let them grow into one long busy unibrow in celebration

There’s probably so many more skin wins so will do another update in a separate blog. Basically I feel like I’ve got my life back and have mild eczema now on my hands and the backs of my knees. It doesn’t feel real yet, I don’t trust that I’m fully there. For now it’s just surreal and I am LOVING life.

Look how much healing

The picture below is me this week, feeling finally like myself again. With eyebrows and living my life without worrying about my skin. I still have some way to go and may flare again, but for now I’m having a lovely summer and doing whatever I want to do.

What are you top eczema and sensitive skin hacks?

I’d love to hear what you do for your skin? What do you go back to over and over again? Please share with me what you guys do. By sharing we grow.

You may also be interested in reading:Topical Steroid Withdrawal – Frequently Asked QuestionsFind discounts on eczema balms and emollientsBuy The Shape of Skin – eczema poetry on Amazon todayThe post Top 10 things that REALLY helped my eczema skin first appeared on What Allergy Blog.

We urgently need topical steroid withdrawal research

No one knows how many people have topical steroid withdrawal (TSW). This condition is drastically underestimated because the vast majority of those experiencing topical steroid addiction (TSA) and TSW are undiagnosed, dismissed and end up going through the withdrawal process alone. Even the charity for TSW, ITSAN, don’t have figures for its prevalence.

The reason is that we just don’t know how many people would go into TSW because patients are moved onto other immunosuppressants and biologic medications which can mask TSW. And when our skin does get worse, inevitably our doctors tell us it’s just worsening chronic adult eczema and to get back on those topical steroids. It’s horrible using something that doesn’t really help, but does maintain a poor barely controlled state – knowing that a few days of not using and you’re skin is breaking bad!

TSW it not diagnosed early, if at all. Doctors don’t accept it’s happening. But if you google it and take a look on social media it’s alive and destroying lives across the world. Sadly it feels like no one is listening.

Google and social media #topicalsteroidwithdrawal research

A recent Yahoo News article by Tonya Russell says that, as of mid-March 2023, there had been more than 168 million views of TikTok videos with the hashtag #topicalsteroidwithdrawal. Tonya calls it a ‘recent social media trend’ which is incredibly infuriating. How anyone can view TSW as ‘trend’ is beyond me. None of us are doing this for fun, it happens to us regardless. You know I’d still be using the topical steroids if it was actually helping my skin. Being faced with regular cancer immunosuppressants that also didn’t work, but did break my immune system, was what forced me to go through this. I was in denial for years, praying I could just be OK and keep using them.

I’m not sharing a link to the article because it’s horrible, gaslighting and inaccurate.

There have been a number of studies done into topical steroid withdrawal, check out TSW studies. These date back to the 1970’s, so this isn’t a new phenomena. I believe doctors do know about it, but for some reason refuse to change their prescribing habits, praying that one of these new biologics or JAK inhibitors will help in the future.

Is TSW really that rare?

A study done by the MHRA concluded that “when used correctly, topical corticosteroid medicines are safe and effective treatments for skin disorders. However, if used very often or continually for a prolonged time, there have been reports of withdrawal reactions after they are stopped. A particularly severe type of topical steroid withdrawal reaction has been reported with skin redness (or a spectrum of colour changes or change in normal skin tone) and burning worse than the original condition.”

This makes me so angry, because our specialists prescribe us topical steroids over long periods of time and advise us that they are safe. Many of us experience worsening rebound flares, for which we are told to just use more of the creams. The problem is being caused by the way the drugs are prescribed, not by patient over used, although in some cases people admit they have used too much in a desperate bid to heal their skin.

What is Rare Patient Voice?

Rare Patient Voice, LLC connects patients and family caregivers of rare and non-rare diseases with opportunities to share their opinions with companies and researchers by participating in all types of research studies. 

Their aim is:

HELPING PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS SHARE THEIR VOICES.

As well as rewarding those who take part in research, they also conduct studies into different diseases so please do get involved to see if we can get them to choose TSW for their next research study.

To find out more visit their website at https://rarepatientvoice.com/

You could be rewarded for taking part in research

Are you a patient or family caregiver with something to say? Make your voice heard by participating in paid surveys, interviews and online communities! Start talking to the right people. It’s free! They accept rare and non-rare diagnoses! In celebration of our 10th Anniversary studies now pay at a rate of $120 an hour! Sign up today!

Click here to register with “Rare Patient Voice”

Help raise awareness of TSW and any other rare condition you’d like to share!

You may also be interested in :Topical Steroid Withdrawal – Frequently Asked QuestionsDiscover the best TSW blogs!Get THE best poetry book for people with eczema and topical steroid withdrawalThe post We urgently need topical steroid withdrawal research first appeared on What Allergy Blog.