Hi folks,

I am wondering if any of you have experienced allergic reactions to taking e orally, such as skin rashes or hives?   I've heard of changes in complexion and skin dryness, but not much word on allergies.   I'm wondering because, a number of months in now, I've begun to see splotches and areas of irritation/hives pop up.

Curiously,

Jaidi

No reactions for me. I've always had dry skin but I use moisturizer so no worries.

No reactions here except for severe case of happiness.

Happiness is the WORST! How can I make it stop?

I, too, am feeling much better balanced and happier since starting in Sept.   On further reflection, I should 'fess up that I do have a long familiarity with allergies in general - I'm allergic to cats and dogs, like my father.   

Unlike my father, I've chosen to live with these critters in spite of the auto-immune idiosyncrasies of my inheritance.  My allergic symptoms have generally been drippy sinuses and itchy eyes, for which I am taking medication.   I have experienced skin reactions if I happened to have prolonged bare-skin contact, on areas other than hands, with my beloved critters.

I'm guessing that as my skin has begun changing, the thresholds and symptoms of the existing allergy condition are also changing.  It'll definitely be a topic during my upcoming check-in appointment with my endo.  Meanwhile, I certainly do not want to go back to the aching angst that I had felt for all my life prior.

Jaidi

Yup.  My shin on my left leg gets itchy and my allergies are far easier to trigger.  Previously my hay fever would only hit me when I was sick and under the weather.  Now, I'm get tagged by allergies to my dogs or other stuff much easier.  It's like how it was before I went through puberty.  The shin itchy thing is new and comes and goes. 

This isn't unreasonable in that hormones and histamines use the same chemical pathways.  At least so I have read.  That can mean that when your hormones change that you can get or lose your allergies. 

The other negative side effect I get is that my vision isn't as good.  There was a marked change that matched when I started hormones.

On the other side though I am happy, have boobs and feel more like who I want/am inside.  Easy win. 

I developed a really annoying itch that would spread to different parts of my body. It wasn't a constant thing, but it was a daily occurrence. There were no physical signs that I could see - no hives, blotches and so on. My local pharmacist recommended an antihistamine, which worked a treat.

I get a rash on my left lower leg.  It comes and goes and can get pretty itchy.   It seems to get worse when one of my food intolerances acts up.   A small price to pay for the lowered anxieties.

Skin and Euphoria never been better...  (despite desperately wanting to go FT)
No skin reactions at all... after soooo many years

L Katy

I have a horrible itchy reaction to the sub dermal anaesthetic used for the implant, but so what!

A tip, 1% cortisol cream from the local pharmacy, no script needed, smear it over the area and as it is an anti inflammatory very quick relief to skin allergies.

yMMV

If you don't get out in the sun, vitamin D deficiency can cause hives and skin problems. Easily fixed in that case with vitamin D supplements.

Hello again,

Thank you folks for the sensible replies. It's nice to know that others have experienced what I am seeing and that there's something we can do about it. I'll try the 1% cortisol cream.  Meanwhile, I do take vitamin supplements, including D, and will continue. 

As for exposure to thermonuclear radiation as a means for producing Vit D, this is western WA.  What's that?  :-)

Ciao for now,

Jaidi

I was breaking out in hives in the first 2 years of hrt. I would break out whenever I took a long hot shower. I'm guessing though it had to do with stress cause I would get hives when I'd get super stressed out. I don't get them anymore.

I also get more ingrown hairs now too, no matter what I do to prevent them.