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[Pumpkin55]

Hello there
Has anyone else found themselves developing all sorts of allergies during menopause? It feels like my immune system is in overdrive. I've had itchy skin and found myself intolerant to pretty much every body moisturiser going, and I also think I'm now allergic to: potatoes, tomatoes, wine (grr), tea, and possibly fish - to name but a few. Im already gluten free due to intolerance and digestive issues. Anyway, I just wondered if anyone else had developed allergies, and if you are on constant antihistamines, and if so which ones? Also has anyone tried a low histamine diet? Where can I look for one/best one? Which foods are really bad in terms of histamine content? I know my problem is histamine related because of an eye flare up problem I have, and how the right anti-histamine can calm this - for the past year I've had intermittent inflammation of the skin under the eyes, which looks and feels totally awful (red and swollen, starts off by being itchy and sometimes actually throbs) when it happens.  Originally I was prescribed 0.5% hydrocortisone to use on and off when needed, but it just kept coming back - and worse. So five/six months ago I stopped using steroids there completely. The area improved and was really good for the last few months, apart from some minor flares, but the last two weeks it has flared up very badly. After three days of regular piriton (2/3 doses a day) it calmed right down and after five days it was totally back to normal. But a couple of days after switching to cetirizine, it flared right back up again. I've done an awful lot of detective work in terms of chemicals, food etc but just cannot work out what's causing this, and Im going to get allergy tests but just wondered, does anyone else take antihistamines, on an ongoing basis? Thanks heaps in advance.

[CLKD]

Hello there
Has anyone else found themselves developing all sorts of allergies during menopause? It feels like my immune system is in overdrive. I've had itchy skin and found myself intolerant to pretty much every body moisturiser going, and I also think I'm now allergic to: potatoes, tomatoes, wine (grr), tea, and possibly fish - to name but a few.

How do you define allergies?  There are intolerances too.  As oestrogen levels drop the body may become dry: inside and out.  Some people find that wine in particular is less tolerated .  Potatoes ad tomatoes of course and mayB peppers, are in the same family so mayB have a lookC at that particular food group?  They can then be cut out for 3 months whilst you do more research.  1 shouldn't use antihistamines or steroid medications more than 7 days. 

Will the allergy tests be done by the NHS?  Otherwise, be wary of paying for them as they are usually sold by companies that sell specifics: so they will find an 'allergy' or 'sensitivity' and try to sell something that will help.

with regards: of an eye flare up problem I have, and how the right anti-histamine can calm this - for the past year I've had intermittent inflammation of the skin under the eyes, which looks and feels totally awful (red and swollen, starts off by being itchy and sometimes actually throbs) when it happens.  - do you wear make up?  Do you use spray cans, i.e. anti-deodorants or pledge-type cleaners around the house?  A small amount may aggravate this area which is very thin skinned and rubbing will make it worse.  Cold water compresses on the eyes can make a difference.  Then tap dry.

My Mum developes breast lumps which have to be removed when she eats shell fish.  It happened during what was probably her menopausal years.  Because reflux is common some find that certain food stuffs that have been enjoyed begin to cause problems 


My eyes itch background a lot, probably due to menopause.  I do a lot of screen work as well as loving being in the garden, plus reading in the bath so I have several reasons why.  I have allergic rhinitis from the 1970s which doesn't help my eyes when it flares up.  With regards tea, my 1st 2/3 cups in the morning are fine but my taste buds alter from lunch time so that by mid-afternoon I can't bear the taste!  Other food stuffs have that reaction when they taste 'off' or 'bad'. 

Sometimes people can develop anaphylactic reactions to foods for no specific reasons which usually means an urgent hospital admission. 

[Pumpkin55]

Hello CLKD
Thanks for your detailed post. No I haven’t worn any make up in over a year - since this all started. No, no spray cans and no scent of any kind in the house. Been on a mega anti-dust mite drive which showed as a severe allergy last year. Why not antihistamines for more than seven days? As I understand it some people have to take them every day long term? Not doing any steroids at all, haven’t for 5-6 months and even then just a tiny bit ofn0.5% hc, which I kind of wish I’d never used. I’m reluctant to use again - I think rebound from them can be worse and the eye area is so delicate. I’m really fed up with it as it was so much better and the last couple of weeks it’s been dreadful. I can’t meet people when it’s this bad, and it feels sore too. Cold compresses feel good but I’m concerned they are drying? Pat dry? With towel? That’s what I’ve been doing with cooked boiled water. Anyway many thanks for your response x

[CLKD]

Cold compresses won't be drying ......... patting dry Kleenex tissues as a towel may be too ruff.  Who has seen this puffy sore lid symptom when it's angry?   We have lots of critters living in the eyelashes. Apparently  . 

What would people be using antihistamines long-term for, unless a dermatologist recommends the treatment?  Using too often will surely upset the natural rhythm of protection when necessary. 

When I had steroid cream following sun burn resulting from radiation treatment I was told to use a very small pea-sized blob on the affected area for no more than 3 days at a time due to absorption upsetting the rest of me ..........

Do you have a Pharmacist close by to talk with? 

[KatyB]

On the dry eyes side of things - my optician suggested Hycosan dry eyes liquid - started on the blue one but now on the red one. Its ok to use long term / everyday if needed - its non-prescription. It made a big difference to my eyes, although I do need it several times a day, but I haven't got the really inflamed lids and scratchy eyes since I started a year or so ago. I recently developed dry nose, and when I looked at the various saline washes etc to moisturise inside the nose realised there was one with same active ingredient as the eyes ( Sodium Hyaluronate) so I'm trying that. Optician confirmed that menopause can cause dry eyes. Dentist has confirmed that loosening of teeth can also be a menopause symptom - everything dries up! And I'm on HRT for several years now....

[CLKD]

   KatyB

[Pumpkin55]

Cold compresses won't be drying ......... patting dry Kleenex tissues as a towel may be too ruff.  Who has seen this puffy sore lid symptom when it's angry?   We have lots of critters living in the eyelashes. Apparently  . 

What would people be using antihistamines long-term for, unless a dermatologist recommends the treatment?  Using too often will surely upset the natural rhythm of protection when necessary. 

When I had steroid cream following sun burn resulting from radiation treatment I was told to use a very small pea-sized blob on the affected area for no more than 3 days at a time due to absorption upsetting the rest of me ..........

Do you have a Pharmacist close by to talk with?

Thank you, yes I have a lovely pharmacist but too much going on here. I'm now looking into the low histamine diet and booking to see dietitian again plus have lots of allergy tests done through a referral from consultant derm. I suspect however it will prove to be just a hormone thing I have to get through. But it's truly awful, I  just want my life back and the old me back :-( Thanks for responding :-)

[CLKD]

Let us know how you get on.

SLS - in many products.  ?  Sodium Laurel Sulphate  ? is the frothing agent in shampoo, toothpaste ......... when reading labels on things I was surprised at how much it is used.  It can cause reactions even after using for years.  You may need a magnifying glass to read the labels but might be worth having a look C - if it's in products that U use regularly, maybe consider something else?

I have allergic rhinitis - when I go into a warm room from the cold I sneeze.  A lot.  If I get too warm under the covers, I sneeze. A lot.