puppylove Posted October 31, 2012 Report Share Posted October 31, 2012 I have so much trouble shaving my legs because after they itch and burn so badly i want to scream. I have tried all kinds of shaving gels, lotions, razors etc. nothing helps. I don't really know anything about mast cells but could that be the cause of this? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hippychic258 Posted October 31, 2012 Report Share Posted October 31, 2012 My legs burn badly after shaving also and they never use to, hoping someone can shed some light on that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katybug Posted October 31, 2012 Report Share Posted October 31, 2012 I do have MCAS and also problems with shaving. I don't know if they are related as the shaving issues started when I was a teen. I'm now 37. I can only shave with warm water. I wait until the end of my shower so my skin and hair are at least softened by the water. I can not put any lotions on my legs. I have found that I can use natural oils such as coconut, sweet almond, or avocado oils to moisturize but not the same day that I shave because my pores are too open after I shave. I also have found that i can only shave my legs 2 times a week ( not happy about that) or i get folliculitis. As far as my armpits go, I had to try a few deodorants and Dove brand is what I finally found works for me without burning or stinging after shaving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Cox Posted October 31, 2012 Report Share Posted October 31, 2012 I've always had this problem too, but I don't know if I have mast cell problems(?)... I have always put it down to my body's difficulty in regulating temperature. If I am in the shower and I shave my legs it has to be at the end of the shower, like Katie. I think this is so that my skin has time to calm down from being goosey. I also make sure there is zero draft in the bathroom because even an extractor fan generates draft which makes my legs go goosebumpy. When my skin is goosey I can shave the top off every follicle and only realise after the fact. I guess this is why lotions and potions aren't happy either. I find leg-shaving and other shower tasks so difficult in general and showers are exhausting. Wouldn't it be fairer if one of our symptoms was an absence of HAIR!!!! I would like the universe to be kinder on this front! In leg-burny empathy.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batik Posted October 31, 2012 Report Share Posted October 31, 2012 I gave up on shaving my legs as no matter how I did it, they would hurt for the next week. Same goes for epilating. When my ex was here I would occasionally borrow his beard trimmer, as that produced a fairly good result without causing any pain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monica Posted October 31, 2012 Report Share Posted October 31, 2012 My legs become itchy and burn after shaving too. I have to apply this natural bathing oil that suits my skin afterwards otherwise it itches and burns for days! Also, I have to use special soaps and moisturisers as my skin get itchy/ irritated easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kellysavedbygrace Posted November 1, 2012 Report Share Posted November 1, 2012 Oh my- this is something I never even talk about because it seems so small in light of the other biggies. But- so glad to hear I'm not alone. I have really bad itching of my legs too- Dr. Afrin (Mast Cell doc) thinks it is likely related. I have gone to only shaving 2x a week- kinda gross but it is what it is. Sometimes when I am really symptomatic and my hypersensitivity is out of control I can't tolerate the feel of the razor blade on my skin- feels like it is cutting- even though it is not. That is the worst about shaving. I have had success with using an all natural olive oil soap on my legs before shaving. Not like a cream or lotion but it does seem to help. I also do this sitting w a very short, not too hot shower. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevInChester1 Posted November 1, 2012 Report Share Posted November 1, 2012 This happens when I shave my face. As unpleasant as it can be, I have little choice as I end up feeling much worse without shaving - just a days growth irritates me and makes me extremely hot in the face. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batik Posted November 1, 2012 Report Share Posted November 1, 2012 Tell you what's odd. As well as having given up on shaving or epilating my legs years ago, I also find that my legs randomly get itchy in the evenings sometimes, leading to me having to take my trousers off (corduroy, nothing likely to cause irritation) and put on pyjamas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micheller Posted November 1, 2012 Report Share Posted November 1, 2012 I have this problem too. Thankfully my husband doesn't care if I'm a little fury. My big issue is shaving in the winter. I get really bad pain when I get the goosebumps after I shave. I also get tiny red spots that look like broken blood vessels all over my legs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adigitalashley57 Posted November 1, 2012 Report Share Posted November 1, 2012 same. My legs feel actual pain after I've shaved. Like the skin is burning and really tight. I also like never shave because of this! haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
issie Posted November 1, 2012 Report Share Posted November 1, 2012 A lot of people are allergic to nickel and many/most razors have nickel in the blades. My husband is very allergic to regular razors - but, can use a foil electric shaver. His skin is very sensitive on his face - and he can't go to close with that even --but, this was the best solution we found - other then him having a lovely beard for several years. Issie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoozlyGirl Posted November 2, 2012 Report Share Posted November 2, 2012 Hot water, friction from the razor and water pounding on skin, as well as personal care products used in the shower have all been attributed to mast cell degranulation. As mast cells are triggered and histamine is released this can possibly explain burning and itching, as well as initiating a cascade of mediator release and leading to other symptoms. I found a dye free, natural face gel, that I use as a shave gel, and use cooler water and sit in the base of the tub, as well as timing of my meds (so I premedicate with antihistamines) prior to showering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kellysavedbygrace Posted November 2, 2012 Report Share Posted November 2, 2012 Issie & Doozy- you two rock. Great info and advice as always. Mast cell degranulation totally makes sense and I would have never though about the metal in the razors. This forum is so helpful for things like this.I'm also so surprised to find so many others with really itchy legs. Thought I was just weird that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheila1366 Posted November 3, 2012 Report Share Posted November 3, 2012 I was wondering about this myself. Just this week noticed pain when shaving. The blade against my legs hurt so bad. I wonder why this happens? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batik Posted November 3, 2012 Report Share Posted November 3, 2012 I don't have problems shaving my armpits, by the way. It's just the legs that play up. Does anyone else get this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddschool Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 Do any of you notice large, red, itchy bumps after you shave? This topic has me intriqued b/c I've been getting these bumps, & when I itch them, they welt up quickly.And I know that we don't have a bug problem in our house. Plus, I am currently having the worst allergies I've ever had-Zyrtec, Allegra, etc are not helping! I want to claw my eyes out! Thanks for any help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddschool Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 Sorry, I should have noted the bumps are only on my legs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katybug Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 Sounds like hives although but I can't say for sure. It would be ideal to take pictures of them and show them to a dermatologist or an allergist/immunologist for a definite diagnosis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladyt Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 I have had this problem for years. only have pots diagnose. But for me it is not always bad, it all depends. But i always need to use sensitive shaving stuff and do it in the end of the shower. And not to often. Once a week or less (my partner is used to my hairy leggs poor thing)Any of u tryed waxing ? I did it once, whit horible results. But wounder if i shall try again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Cox Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Yes, only have problems shaving my legs.... and YES to itchy lumps. I get them anywhere though, arms, legs, torso, neck, back.... and my husband says that I must be the only tasty one in the house, because no one else gets bitten. What makes us itchy then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katybug Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 In my case, I have severe classical allergies and also MCAD. I am allergic to the world it seems and my allergies actually manifest more in skin rashes and hives and G.I. symptoms than in having what people think of as "allergy symptoms" like a runny nose or itchy eyes. I think all the issues I have with shaving and moisturizing (and I also even now have issues wearing makeup) are from my allergies and MCAD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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