This post is about the personal care products that I have found to be tolerable with MCAS. Everyone has different triggers, so these products may not work for you. So use this as a starting place to figure out the products that you can tolerate.
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Table of Contents
What is MCAS?
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a chronic condition that affects all organ systems. MCAS is serious and disabling and people with MCAS experience often significant and debilitating symptoms daily, including anaphylaxis, which can be fatal.MCAS is often found in combination with other chronic conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).
Frequently healthcare providers do not know about MCAS, and the tests for MCAS are problematic because they are not uniformly reliable. MCAS can be difficult to manage. Treatments include blocking mast cell mediators with anti-histamines and mast cell stabilizers, as well as avoiding triggers.
Check out this post on how to manage MCAS.
The bucket theory
The bucket theory offers a helpful analogy for understanding symptom reactions with MCAS.
Think of your body as an empty bucket that you want to keep from overflowing. Different foods and activities fill your histamine bucket at different speeds but they combine to form the total level of histamine in your body (how full your bucket is). A fuller bucket means you have more histamine symptoms. When you manage triggers, reduce exposure to known triggers, and take medications and supplements to reduce histamine, you can manage the level of your bucket.
Know your typical symptom progression
Knowing your symptom progression in a symptom flare is the key to developing your own rescue plan. In this post, I discuss how to determine your own symptom progression. Once you know what typically happens in your symptom progression you can design a rescue plan to address those symptoms.
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Here are my recommended personal care products
Oral care
At the time I was diagnosed with MCAS I was reacting to so many things it was difficult to tell what triggers were causing my symptoms. I had been using topical essential oils to deal with pain, and when I started noticing a rash on my skin from them, I reluctantly stopped using them. The rashes stopped, but I continued in what I was calling at the time “symptom freefall.” I noticed that I couldn’t tolerate being around essential oils AT ALL, and this included the very mild lemon flavor in the Tooth Powder I was using at the time (I had previously abandoned regular toothpaste as being too strongly flavored in favor of toothpowder).
So first I searched for an unflavored toothpowder, and when I couldn’t find one I searched for a homemade toothpowder recipe to make my own unflavored toothpowder. This is my recipe, and if you try it I would encourage you to start first without any essential oils in it. Use the powder for several days to make sure you tolerate the ingredients before making any tweaks to the recipe.
If you want to flavor your tooth powder, you can add a high-quality essential oil and go slow adding one drop at a time, waiting three days after each adjustment, to make sure you are tolerating the mixture. This post from my other blog explains how to make sure you have high-quality essential oils.
And know that you can’t just use any essential oils for products you use internally. High-quality peppermint or clove are traditionally used orally. Some essential oils can burn your skin, some can damage mucous membranes, and you definitely need to use caution and seek expertise before choosing an essential oil to be used orally.
Aside from brushing your teeth, if you are sensitive and want to eliminate any other possible oral-care-product triggers you will want to switch to an unflavored dental floss and stop using any flavored oral rinses.
Hair care
I have not been able to tolerate scented shampoos, conditioners, or hair products for most of my life, so this wasn’t a huge change for me when I was diagnosed with MCAS.
From the time I was young, I knew that I hated hair sprays, gels, and foams because my face would get itchy right away after using them. So, I’ve basically been in the habit of telling anyone cutting or styling my hair, “no products, please.” I am certain I’m in the minority with this preference because the hair professionals I’ve seen have had a hard time remembering that I was the “no products, please” gal.
So if you are trying to eliminate possible MCAS triggers you will likely want to discontinue the use of all hair care products and switch to a very gentle shampoo until you can determine your triggers. This shampoo and conditioner (unscented) have worked for me since I started down this path of eliminating my triggers.
I’ve also tried the no ‘poo method for a while, did hair and scalp detoxing, and tried a host of other shampoos, from expensive salon varieties to food co-op brands, and for me, the Herbal Beauty brand of shampoo works the best and is the least irritating to my skin.
Some people with mast cell diseases get lesions on their scalp that can be extremely uncomfortable. I’ve heard, but not tried, adding a little liquid topical Benadryl or oral Cromolyn Sodium to your shampoo to alleviate scalp discomfort. You would want to consult with your healthcare provider before mixing up any potions like this. When I’ve had scalp lesions my solution was to stop wearing a ponytail, only shampoo once or twice a week, and focus on my mast cell stabilizers and antihistamines.
When I’m camping or otherwise don’t have access to a shower I use this dry shampoo.
Facial care
Like my experience with hair care products, I’ve known since childhood that I couldn’t tolerate most makeup and skincare brands and regimens. For a time I could tolerate products I made myself using very high-quality essential oils. But currently, I can’t use any type of toner, skin wash, or lotion — even from very high-end brands.
My go-to facial soap is currently Vanicream Z-Bar. In addition to being a mild soap for controlling facial acne, it seems to calm down the itchiness and redness on my hands in the winter.
For really dry or chapped hands in the winter months, I love this salve. For body moisturizing in the winter, I just use plain jojoba oil.
I use a small amount of plain castor oil as a moisturizer in the winter months and in the summer I mix it with an equal amount of jojoba oil for a lighter-weight moisturizer. For greater anti-microbial properties I add black cumin oil, and for added sun protection you can add raspberry seed oil if tolerated. As with all of my recommendations, you will want to try the plainest version first, and slowly add other ingredients a drop or so at a time to make sure you tolerate it. Test for three days before adding more amendments or changing the formulation.
Another way I cleanse my face is to use plain jojoba oil as an oil wash, rinse with a warm wet washcloth, and then apply moisturizer.
Makeup
I’m not a big makeup person, to begin with, but I have tolerated the mascara from Well People, this mineral makeup brand foundation and blush, and these eye shadows.
Deodorant
I’ve tried many “natural” deodorants and suffered rashes and irritation from a lot of them on the market. This is my recipe for homemade powdered deodorant. Again, start with zero essential oils, and add them very slowly if tolerated. Or skip them entirely if you want to be cautious.
My favorite deodorant is this unscented crystal. It comes in scented versions, but I am not able to tolerate them.
Hand and body soap
The plainer the soap, the better in my experience. I use diluted plain unscented castile soap diluted with water in a liquid soap dispenser for hand soap. For showering, I use plain unscented soap like this, or plain olive oil soap.
Pain
I use this lotion for joint pain, and this cream for sprains, strains, muscle soreness, insect bites, bruises, burns, and skin irritation. See also this post on pain relief products and this post on dealing with pain.
Sleep
I use Earthley Good Night Lotion topically to aid sleep.
Lymph drainage
And I use Earthley Lymphatic Cream topically for lymph drainage. I also use Energetix tones for drainage support such as:
Drainage Tone supports detox pathways;
Lymph-Tone II assists with detoxing chronic issues;
Lymph-Tone III is helpful in detoxing issues due to hypersensitivities and neuropathy.
Sun protection
I don’t tolerate chemical sunscreens. I can tolerate this mineral sunscreen on everything but my face. I can use a little powdered zinc sunscreen on my face for one day a week without reacting. Otherwise, I mostly rely on lightweight protective clothing, hats, and shade to shield me from the sun. Many people with MCAS react to sun exposure with rashes, hives, and systemic reactions, so I try to limit my time in direct sun. As well, I react to the heat of exercising or working out in the sun in my garden, so I try to garden in the early mornings and late evenings.
Misc.
Depending on your sensitivities you may be able to tolerate facial exfoliants like this one which is made up of mostly apple ingredients. I used to use a pumpkin-based facial peel but once I started reacting to pumpkin, that was a no-go. Otherwise, mechanical exfoliation may be a better bet for you, such as gently using a scrubbing cloth.
For detox baths, I use plain Epsom salts and baking soda. Start low and go slow as detox baths will release toxins into your bloodstream, and can cause mast cells to get riled up.
Leave a comment about your favorite personal care products for MCAS!
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Disclaimer
The preceding material does not constitute medical advice. This information is for information purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, cure or treatment. Always seek advice from your medical doctor.
