| Scratchitatative |
[Aug. 12th, 2005|12:44 pm] |
correction pen and sharpie® on red
It was a few years back, seven or eight maybe. I walked into the metals studio late one evening in search of food and friends. The usual gang was gathered around the table when I arrived. Mindy winced when I entered the room. Normally I am used to this response when I enter a room but her reaction was stronger that usual.
"You're red."
She pointed at my arms. I examined my skin and indeed I was. I had been in the clay studio mixing glazes. Typically I would reach right into the bucket with my bare hands. No, this isn't the best practice. The materials not only dry out your skin but they aren't always the best for you. I dismissed my red skin as irritation from the glaze and returned to my quest for food.
The next day I was getting ready to shower. I wasn't really paying attention to much since it was early. When I got to the bathroom and took a look at my body in the mirror I panicked. The skin all over my body (except my groin) was now bright red and blotchy. Unsure what to think I ran downstairs to my father in the kitchen. Dad is not easily grossed out but when I revealed my condition to him he frowned.
"Ick!"
I thanked him for his comforting words and ran back up to the shower to see if this might sooth my now somewhat itchy skin. It was Saturday and I was unable to set up an appointment with my doctor. I decided to wait out the weekend.
The following Sunday I was a mess. The surface of my skin was now raised and horribly itchy. I couldn't sleep. My body was on fire constantly. Showering would only pacify my condition temporarily. I think I cried a lot out of frustration. I remember stealing a box of epsom salts from the clay studio to mix in with my bath water.
Monday arrived and I was no better. I was able to make an appointment with my doctor. When I exposed my inflamed skin to him he frowned.
"Ick!"
My doctor and I determined I was having an allergic reaction to laundry detergent. All my clothing had recently been washed in Surf (except my underwear thank god). Anywhere the tainted cloth rubbed against my skin huge bumps of puffy red skin were present. I was given a series of cortisone pills to take and in the next few days I returned to normal.
That experience marks the beginning of a long line of new and interesting allergic reactions to the world around me.
Yesterday I turned blotchy and red. This morning my hands and palms began to itch. As I sat at my desk here at work I began to remember my past experience. I quickly picked up the phone and made a doctors appointment. The doctor agreed it was an allergic reaction and he got me all set up with a remedy. This time I got a shot of steroids in my arm and some pills to swallow after.
On one level I am fascinated by how my body works, what its doing and why. On another I am horrified about how I must look to others. I can deal with not feeling well, my innards in a knot and all. Skin stuff always makes me anxious. I am sure that just adds to it all. |
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