Fibromyalgia and Skin Sensitivity
Posted by Catherine Morgan on April 22, 2010
Here is a guest post by Lori at Living Better and Feeling Better Naturally – Fibromyalgia and Skin Sensitivity
If you have Fibromyalgia, you probably also suffer from a multitude of skin sensitivities, including frequent rashes and a tendency to develop skin flare-ups when exposed to anything from perfumes to certain cleansers. Recent Research on Fibromyalgia Skin Sensitivities has uncovered at least a partial explanation for why so many of us suffer from itchy, inflamed skin throughout out lives. Too many histamines and an over-reactive immune system both contribute to the problem.
I’m currently coping with the continued fall-out from this problem. My over-reaction to having my hair colored almost two weeks ago led to a sustained allergic reaction that was amplified last night and landed me at the doctor’s office this morning, where they had to give me cortisone injections to quell an out of control allergic reaction that had become systemic. Hives had spread all over my body and my hands had begun to swell. Now I’m on a round of steroids and antihistamines to get things back under control.
Do others have this kind of problem with frequent skin rashes and allergic responses? How do you cope with them? What types of treatments have you used to treat or prevent them?
Pamela said
I’m also diagnosed with both fibromyalgia and ME/CFS and just about everything can make my skin react, but I find, in general, natural products with calming aloe vera I can tolerate. Most everything else will either dry my skin so it cracks like a lizard or bring me out in zits. Any manufactured perfume makes me feel sick. I stick to things as natural as possible.
The fumes from chemical hair colors are enough to upset my entire system: heaven knows what they’d do if applied to my skin. However, I did color my own hair recently with Naturtint hair color (as the name suggests, it is made from natural ingredients and is available via Amazon on both sides of the Atlantic) and had no problems at all. It may be worth trying this another time.
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Tanya said
I’ve been living with FMS/CFS for 15 yrs now and initial dx of acute dermatitis has spirled out of control. Very dry flaky skin. My face looks aweful! I’m embarassed to go ov anywhere. I have also noticed a significant amount of hair growth in areas that are unwanted and unwelcomed (facial hair). Although, I use creame to remove the lil bastards they are still visible. I think the creame may be causing hives. I’ve also noticed dark spots on my face adding to my demise. Is this FMS/CFS related? I’m scheduled to see the derm I hope this time around I’ll get the tx I need. 15 yrs into FMS/CFS I feel as though I’m ready to check into a medical facility permanently. This is not self pity, but a desperate plea for direction. I think the recurrent infections are out of control and I can barley manage getting out of bed! Does such a place exist for us? Thanks for reading. 323 239 9068 Tanya
Catherine Morgan said
Hi Tanya. I’m sorry you’re going through such a rough time. But I think you’re doing the best thing you can do by consulting a good dermatologist. For me it has always seemed that treating the symptoms individually works best…If you don’t think your current doctor is doing enough to help you, you might want to consider getting a second opinion. Don’t give up…It’s not easy living with chronic illness…But you CAN do it.
Best,
Catherine
ashysheela said
i have ME/CFS and do have a lot of painful tender points on the skin, painful muscles, some joint pain etc and suspect that i may have some fibromyalgia type behaviour going on… i also have severe itching, which seems to be Aquagenic Pruritis. I am seeing a dermatologist on monday but i think that as my itching has become worse along with other pain symptoms that these things are all linked, although i have been told the itching is not ME-related. I did have the itching on and off for years before i got ME, but it has never been this severe. Anyway, see my blog for more and get in touch if you have anything similar!
Catherine Morgan said
What’s your blog link?
ashysheela said
sorry Catherine, i thought as this was a wordpress blog my name would be a link back but it hasn’t happened like that – http://ashy00.wordpress.com
Catherine Morgan said
Thanks…I added your blog to my sidebar.
Christine said
I have been diagnosed with fibromylagia and chronic fatigue, and my legs and arms are SO itchy all the time that I can actually scratch and scratch until I bleed. I have sore all over from this. I lather my legs and arms with hypoallergenic lotions each morning & nite, and ointment for the sores. But it is so weird. I am positive it is related to the FM & CFS, but my doctors just shrugg it off and say “oh you have dry skin” — I feel this is a bit more that *just* dry skin! Aside from the lotion I dont know what else to try. I am still itchy despite the lotion! Now when I scratch my hands just get all lotion-y.
Joyce Golda said
Dear Christine,
I also suffer from fibromylagia and chronic fatigue. My itching started several years ago and at first it wasn’t too bad. I managed it with Benadryl. My doctor prescribed a pain pill but that didn’t help at all. Over the years the frequency and severity increased to a point that I couldn’t stand it. I used lotions and the Benadryl which worked for a short time and then nothing helped. Finally I took my doctor’s advise and started using ice packs (I didn’t try it at first because it sounded crazy) This is the only thing that gives me relief, I keep rubbing the ice pack over my skin and it is so soothing and stops the itching. You can purchase the ice packs at Walmart or almost any other store. I know that something so simple doesn’t seem possible to relieve the agonizing itching but it really does work.
Good luck to you,
Joyce
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Pretty Girls : said
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jodi said
I have been struggling for the last 5 yrs with both Fm/CFS. What I have finally learned the hard way is the connection between all chemicals including food and especially prescriptions and the worst of my suffering. The more natural and chemical free I live, the better I am. This includes especially what I put on my skin (fasted way into your blood stream.) I was on a big cycle of steroids and creams and even prednisone for breathing reactions and skin issues, and spiraling fast and this was even in the hospital. When you are sensitive, you are sensitive to everything. I felt like I was being poisoned. Thanks goodness I found a good Naturopath who took me off all of that and showed me the connection between health and food. I now wonder if all the previous medications I was using including anti depressants and ADD meds weren’t contributing to my over toxic body and the energy crisis that is CFS/FM. Something to think about.
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Fatigue said
You know, I have chronic fatigue, but its mostly pains and feeling like I have the flu. Just yesturday I was talking to my friend and she said that her skin was so sensitive, she has to use extremely light blankets at night! She lives in the north too. I just can’t believe people have to live with skin that is that sensitive.
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Pam said
I have fibromyalgia amongst other things. I have noticed that my skin is more sensitive than it used to be. Has anyone experienced a pinkish red spot about the size of your palm on your body that sometimes itches and at other times feels like it is burning from the inside out? It started about 2 months ago while I was burning a brush pile. It felt like my clothing and skin was on fire and I moved away from the fire. The burning subsided when away from the fire. I still have this spot on one of my breasts. I went to my family doctor who puts me on antibiotics for 10 days. Still there so tomorrow I’m going back for additional testing. Now I’m worried it might be cancer but hoping it has something to do with skin sensitivity. Anyone else have blotches like this???
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