Swollen Face, pale, hives, severe dry skin, HELP!!!

Hello everyone! I need some help.. I have been cutting my own hair for years and I have an assortment of Andis brand clippers, and I shave with 2 types of safety shavers (Personna and Dorco blades), as well Gillette shaver. I usually give my self a short military fade and also line up my hair. I have been to several types of doctors spending money and they can not figure it out. The reaction I am getting is an abnormally swollen face, hives in my scalp and my cheeks, hair is thinning in areas at times and at times grows back, severely dry skin, and I get discoloration in my hair follicles and my face!!! It gets worse when I shave my goat tee. This last for days to my face gets better, but it is worse in the morning when I wake up. Now this happens when I use shaving cream or just water. Can it be the blades, perhaps there is nickel????? Can someone please help me???

Welcome to SRP. I don't know if your question is related to shaving other than the blades you're using, however, you said you've seen a few different doctors, have you ever had an allergy test done?

This is very strange to me but I would look
Into seeing an allergist. They should be able
To tell you if you are allergic to something. Also I would
See another doc. I would also look into Benadryl. I used to
Have food allergies and break out in hives. When I did my hives went away.
Make a list of everything your using and bring to allergist/doc.

Thanks for replying! I have had a patch test on my back from a dermatologist and a food allergy test from an allergist and the results were nothing. I believe my question is related to shaving, because I shave the side of my scalp and my face. I was hoping some one here would have advise, I was thinking maybe I am allergic to some type of metal ie. steel, nickel, etc. Or if I should invest in a stainless steel razor.

Well a food test wouldn't help you if it's not a food allergy. Talk to allergist again.

Thanks pbsd! I thought it was food, cleansing products, or shaving! Its driving me nuts, because its on my face and it last for a few days. I am going to start a journal today.

There could be something to your theory if you get the same reaction when shaving with just water, I was about to suggest changing your soap/cream. You might be allergic to some types of metal, I know a woman at work who is allergic to most metals, so you just may want to try stainless steel.

I also seen a dermatologist who is a specialist who does product skin test and I had 100 patches on my back and nothing.

Yes a journal is smart. You can also try using different blade, or cream but don't change more than one thing at a time or you won't know what's the source of the prob

Thx for hanging in there with me! Yeah I have went through millions of soaps, shampoos, detergents, shaving creams, etc. Believe me I have a pharmacy.. Personna and Dorco blades claim to be stainless steel, but I read online where there is a little nickel, chromium, and sometimes other metals in stainless steel. It even happens with a Norelco electric shaver.

Maybe just try putting the cream on your face and DON'T shave. If you don't have any symptoms it's not the soap. If that's the case try to shave with just water again. If you have a problem your allergic to either that metal or multiple metals. Go back to allergist and get tested for just metals. I am not a doc FYI it's just what I would do

It is a long shot but have you been tested for allergies to specific metals? My wife had to have the pins used to repair her fractured ankle removed because she had an allergic reaction to them. You might be sensitive enough that merely using a certain metal to shave with is causing your reaction. A specialist doctor should be able to check that out.

Bob

I agree w Bob. Again I would try the cream you are currently using but don't shave. Try to isolate the prob.

Just had a quick check and found this Nickel allergy: Symptoms - MayoClinic.com . Do the symptoms sound familiar?

Bob

Thanks guys! Great Advise! I have spent alot of money and alot of time... depressed and stressed! I mean there are days I look good and then there are days you wouldn't even recognize me. Thank you all. I am going to try my best to solve this. It is causing so much inflammation in my body Dr's are saying it could be lupus but I have no symptoms of lupus.

Yea you need to see another doc/allergist. Oh and I would stop shaving for a while. Keep us posted!

Thanks BobH! Yeah symptoms are very similar plus I get edema where my face is super fat and puffy.

I will echo that you should try the allergist again and talk specifically about a metal allergy.

Till then make sure to keep Benadryl on hand as allergies can get worst suddenly.

As to getting a stainless steel blade I don't think that will help as the blades you are already using are stainless steel.

If you are looking for a switch up a carbon steel blade may be your better route.

Thanks everyone! I will keep you posted!

Sounds like the onset of any number of AD's..... I'm just sayin'