Welcome to day 15! Today is another very frustrating day for me and it's not even 10:30am yet. *sigh* but over the last 24/48 hours I've developed a painful rash all over my face, neck and chest and is now spreading to my legs. Eddie ran to the pharmacy late last night to try some clotrimine as we read online how what I have could be (brace yourself for this nastyness) a yeast infection on my face. (for real it happens, if you have babies and know what thrush is then you know what a yeast infection on one's face looks like. but unfortunately yes, you can get a yeast infection on your face from wearing masks. here's some articles: link one, link two. and I'm just glad that the fungal infection can't spread to the lungs as I've read about in some places. This has been debunked. Also, let me clarify that I switch my masks out as often as I can and always wash them in gentle dreft detergent after each use.) but over night the antifungal cream did not help and the symptoms and in fact became much worse this morning after taking my antibiotic.
I had to have a primary care doctor consultation first thing this morning because so far the dermatologist and I have struck out twice on figuring out what's wrong. I want to be able to go to work today! I had a virtual consultation this morning and I'm trying to tell him how I feel feverish and my throat burns and he looked at my rashes realized I'm allergic to the keflex. (unbelievable!) I already took it this morning so I just took 2 Benadryl and need to pick up yet ANOTHER medication from the pharmacy. This time it's a steroid which will make the acne worse (FML) but will stop the this allergic reaction from happening.
Uhg. You guys...I'm so sick of talking about this topic and so sick of having these issues with my skin. I forgot how life altering these types of afflictions can be. And I also feel stupid and feel like a huge pain in the ass that I'm spending so much time, money and energy on a problem caused by a wearing a piece of fabric on my face. I know I'm always preaching about not being shy or feeling sheepish about any illnesses you have, especially mental illness. but I guess I need to listen to my own advice and because I'm currently feeling so ashamed and like I'm letting others down. I think I'm just really tired of dealing with these issues. I just want to live my life. I've had to call in to my job again today for obvious reasons. Having enough staff to support any business right now is a huge problem but obviously feel bad for contributing to it by) not being able to come in. I don't make much money (definitely not a living wage ) at this job but honestly I don't think I could put a mask on my face today even if someone paid me hundreds of dollars because it just hurts too much. I know I'm not alone in these issues as I've read plenty of articles about people dealing with these problems. but if you know me, then you know that my issues always seem to be "extra" compared others. I'm just trying to fix what's happening as I need very badly to be able to go out into public and to work but I can't and won't do it maskless and risk other people's health. I'm pretty sure no one would want to interact with me today anyways because I look pretty ridiculous with red blotches and swollen skin. I don't have much energy for writing about anything else. I just want to escape my reality presently. but as usual, I want to leave things on a positive note. :)
I'm super impressed that after I posted yesterday's call to action, I finally broke that 800 follower barrier on instagram! Ahhh so exciting as it gets me one step closer to posting links that are easier for those to access on the instagram app. Thank you so very much! If you have an instagram account and don't follow me, please do! I would love to have you! I know I wrote yesterday that I wanted to clarify I'm not trying to be one of those instagram "influencers" that we have all seen enough of, but then I realized, I do want to be an influencer! but a different kind. I want to influence those in the world who need comfort or solace in their mental health struggles and teach those who aren't aware exactly what #stigmafree means to me. I'm not looking for free hotel rooms or comped dinners. I just want to be able to reach more people. I appreciate you all so much.
I always tell you to share these posts because you never know who it will help and that's still true. Please pass this info on if you know anyone else struggling with maskne or other skin issues with wearing a mask. I can't imagine what it would be like if I had no choice but to still go to work while I'm feeling so sick. I know many of us are still pushing through these uncomfortable situations to keep others safe. In order to keep protecting others and the one's I love I need my face to heal up so that I can keep wearing a mask in public. but I do realize that my reality is completely different from others. I'm so blessed and appreciate that I can take time off for my body to feel better. My anxiety has gone through the roof and I've cried a lot this week. This has been a lot of energy and time spent on something I never dreamed would happen to me. or anyone else. Time for some self care. Sitting here and feeling guilty and sorry for myself isn't going to do shit. Time for some Disney movies, anxiety medication, benadryl and steroids. See you back here tomorrow!
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