Yesterday I was tired and didn’t want to take a shower but knew I needed to. The liquid soap was empty and there was just enough shampoo to wash my hair so instead of getting out and getting new bottles, I was lazy and used the bar of soap.
This bar of soap has been sitting in the shower for about 4 months. It is never used and I’m not sure why it was in there. Every time I clean the shower, I remove the soap to wash under it and then put it back.
Well, about 8 hours after my shower I noticed that I’m covered with little red or flesh colored bumps. It’s particularly bad on my chest, stomach, and right arm. It doesn’t itch but I am aware that they are there. I thought maybe it was folliculitis but my boyfriend told me it itched when he had it.
Weird. It looks like keratosis pilaris rubio, but it’s genetic so you don’t get that from something external like soap. At least it doesn’t look like pictures of a staph infection.
Looks like a mild reaction to the soap. Don’t use it. Hell, use shampoo and call it good; it’s not necessary to use actual soap on your skin in the shower.
Let me add that I grew up with Zest, and Lava, and Irish Spring, and hated them ALL. I stopped useing ‘soap’ decades before anyone ever dreamed of ‘liquid soap’ or ‘body wash’, and simply used shampoo. Never had a problem with odor OR reaction. win-win. Nowadays I do use something smelly-yummy, but it’s just for that, the smelly-yummy. But you couldn’t pay me to use a bar soap, ever. Ever ever ever ever ever ever. Ever.
I’m using shampoo now. I didn’t realize we were out of body soap but I frequently use shampoo on my skin. The soap is Zest and I’ve used it before but I suppose it’s possible I’ve developed a sensitivity to it.
That part might be a significant clue. Sounds like it’s possible that whatever chemicals you’ve used to clean the shower may have soaked into that bar of soap.
That is a good possibility. I use Ajax. But, I never wear gloves when I use it and it never caused me to break out in bumps before. Maybe the combination of old Ajax and Zest doesn’t agree with my skin.
I’d suggest another shower,with whatever mild stuff you have around for soap/shampoo, and then a very good and long rinsing. There may still be some slight residue on your skin that probably wouldnt hurt to get rid of.
Sounds like a good idea. I’ll take another shower before bed tonight. I normally use pretty hot water. Would it be better to use milder water since my skin is already annoyed with me?
The way my luck’s been going lately, it probably is lupus!
In the last week I have managed to be diagnosed with arthritis in my 32 year old hip, get mauled by a cat even though I don’t own cats and hadn’t yet started working at the veterinary hospital, sliced my finger open by lightly touching the blade on a Tupperware food chopper, and I was stung by a wasp, while lying in my own damn bed. This skin thing is just the latest. My boyfriend is probably going to make me sleep on the couch in case I spontaneously combust tonight. Tomorrow is the one week anniversary of my almost very bad week (the start of an awesome job helps to offset the bad). If I can survive tomorrow, I’ll probably be ok.
Sounds like your poor immune system is a little trigger happy at the moment.
Yes, coolish water is better than hot when your skin is irritated.
Fever? Malaise? Runny nose? Nothin’ else but the skin bumps? Been around any kids who might have measles? (Prob’ly not.) If not and it were I, then I’d take a wait and see approach. Your comfort level may vary (and of course we’re heading into a long weekend when your doctor’s office will probably be closed), and if you’re at all worried, get it checked out.
But yeah, I bet you irritated it was chemical sodden soap.
I feel fine. Great actually, if you discount the pain in my cat scratches (washed with warm soapy water and then slathered with antibiotic ointment) and the stabbing pains in my hip. So, yeah…pain where I expect it and otherwise I feel very healthy. Taomist - You will be happy to know that I did survive (it was today)! I slammed my ankle on the edge of the desk but didn’t actually come into contact with any animals (I need to learn the desk before they start teaching me to be an exam assistant). My second day is more worrying than my first though because tomorrow the other desk girl wont be there to help me. :eek:
Hell, use shampoo and call it good; it’s not necessary to use actual soap on your skin in the shower.
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