[jellgirl (OP)]

Hi,

Everytime my boyfriend kisses me I break out into hives. It really is very disrupting and I would like to know if there is anything that I can do to prevent this from happening. I have had allergy tests done and the result was I am highly allergic to cats and dogs.
I used to get hives as a child but the trigger was always cats and dogs. Now I do not get hives around cats and dogs I get asthmatic.
I know it is the irritation from his beard, but since there is only
so close he can shave, I do not know what more I can ask him to do.
If you have any suggestions, I would appreciate them.

[neilep]

Hi Jellgirl,

Welcome to the site. I wish I had an answer for you but I'm sure some of the medical people here will hopefully have a suggestion. One thing though, I'm sure there was an almost identical question asked here quite a while ago..it may be worth a search...if I find it, I'll post a link to it.

One thing I did find out recently, and this will need to be confirmed by the people here is that it's not the hair in cats that people are allergic to, apparantly it's the saliva...if that is correct, I wonder if your are experienceing a similar reaction to your boyfriends saliva. Don't go jumping to conclusions about what I have said, wait and see what the medical people here say, I just wanted to show a friendly welcome and hope that soon, you can pash without the rash !!!!....(sorry...can't believe i just said that )[]

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'

[neilep]

JELLgirl....check this link.....hope it's a start http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=66&SearchTerms=allergic,kissing

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'

[bezoar]

I always thought it was the dander of cats and not the saliva.  As for the boyfriend with the beard, he could always get his face lasered for hair removal -- then he'd never have to shave again.  I'd think that would be kind of a relief for a guy.

[gsmollin]

Its far more likely you are allerigic to his aftershave or his shaving gel or the soap he uses. You should have him eliminate those.

[Donnah]

Good point gsmollin.  Could also be shampoo, laundry soap, fabric softener...  

If you're super sensitive, it's a good idea to use basics like vinegar, baking soda and natural soaps to clean your house, clothing and body.  Even having the stuff stored in the house can expose you enough to elicit a reaction.

"Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms." - Audrey Hepburn

[Ylide]

Donnah, you just reminded me of a South Park I saw recently.  

"I bought you some organic toothpaste, Kyle"

"Is that the stuff that tastes like ass and doesn't fight cavities?"

"You got it."


Jellgirl, is it just when he kisses you that's the problem?  I assume the hives only appear around where his stubble touches you... does that only happen to your face?  What if you brush your hand or arm against it?

This message brought to you by The Council of People Who Are Sick of Seeing More People

[justm]

Hi Jellgirl,
I had the same thing happen last winter - have not dated anyone seriously since.   I have tested highly allergic to cats and dogs (Which are easy to avoid).   My doctor was no use with the boyfriend since the only strategy he had was to avoid the allergens.   I see all these replies about beards and aftershave, etc.   My problem was definitely not from my boyfriends beard - it was absolutely his saliva.    I'm pretty distressed about this allergy.   I wound up with hives wherever my boyfriend kissed me.   Frankly, I would like it if the medicial community could come up with a treatment that returned my immune system to a  non-allergic reaction instead of the the usual avoid it or take an anti-histamiine.    

I've seen two doctors about this and both of them have basically shrugged and been a little too amused/indifferent.

Let me know if you have had better results.

quote:Originally posted by jellgirl

Hi,

Everytime my boyfriend kisses me I break out into hives. It really is very disrupting and I would like to know if there is anything that I can do to prevent this from happening. I have had allergy tests done and the result was I am highly allergic to cats and dogs.
I used to get hives as a child but the trigger was always cats and dogs. Now I do not get hives around cats and dogs I get asthmatic.
I know it is the irritation from his beard, but since there is only
so close he can shave, I do not know what more I can ask him to do.
If you have any suggestions, I would appreciate them.

[anthony]

What a bizzare topic, I have some doubts you are genuine, but you probably are and you therefore seem to be very unfortunate. A basic principle of allergies is that you can't be allergic to yourself. A proper allergic reaction is one where you generate anitbodies against a foreign agent, chemical or protein, and the agent must be foreign. Sometimes what is generally taken as an allergic reaction isn't, it is just a sensitivity to cosmetics or whatever in terms of the direct damage or drying of your skin caused.

You can't be allergic to your boyfriend's saliva, as his saliva is essentially the same as yours, the chemicals and proteins are the same between individuals. If he had an additional agent in his saliva maybe, a bacteria for example, but all this seems very unlikely as we all have populations of bacteria in our mouths, to greater or lesser degrees, and you're probably sharing those populations by now anyway.

It's odd for example that if it is his saliva, than the reaction is not in your mouth, ie. itchiness and swelling. If the reaction is around your mouth you could rule out his cosmetics, shaving creams/aftershave, by putting them directly on yourself. The inside sides of arms are generally most sensitive.

You could do some of your own tests and be logical about it, for example you could rule out the beard, and just see if you have a reaction to his saliva. Have you had the same reaction from all the men you've kissed etc.

All in all, I think it's most likely that you are having a reaction to his abrasive facial hair, not all close shaves are equal. The closest shaves come with a wet shave, good newish-razor immediately after a shower, when the hair is softened by the moisture, not too early in the morning as it takes time for the beard hairs to raise on waking, yes really. But then some men develop a five o'clock shadow at eleven in the morning, others of course have barely any facial hair. It doesn't seem much of a basis for choosing a boyfriend though. If it is beard burn, then maybe you should think perhaps kissing is better little but often, along with keeping your face moisturised and your boyfriend shaved to his most comfortable setting.