D'oh! Happy was the culprit!

[Scout]

I had several really bad eye days last week. I couldn't figure out what the problem was when I picked up my Clinique Happy perfume to give myself a spritz one morning. . . .

D'oh! *slaps forehead*

The bad days were the days I had used the Happy perfume!

Man, did I feel stupid. I have used Happy lotion and Happy perfume for YEARS!

I had never associated it with an allergic reaction before.

So, the perfume and lotion went in the garbage . . . like so many others before them.

This has been another episode of "What is in YOUR vanity that is bad for your eyes?"

Tune in next week . . .

Scout

[dianat]

Thanks for the advice. I shall maintain my un-Happy existence and not take any chances!

[rubyslippers]

Hairspray can set mine off too.

[Judy]

Hairspray?

Okay, well talk about vanity... Here goes: Does anyone know of a hairspray that is scent free and does not irritate eyes? I'm talking about using it in your hair only, being very careful and not spraying it in your eyes. Any input?
Oh and Happy New Year to all my Dry Eye Buds!

[Scout]

Hi Judy,

I did a quick search on google using "fragrance free hairspray" and found many hits. You may want to search the sites that sell them.

Most of the sites listed were natural products using botanicals. Personally, I am allergic to all products using botanicals or tropicals or citrus. Just because it is natural, doesn't mean that you won't be allergic to the product.

Like most of the people on this forum, I use a trial and error method. I do use hairspray but interestingly enough, the cheaper brands are better for me than the more expensive "all natural" products from the health food stores. I currently use Tresemme in the pump spray. I cover my eyes, keeping them closed when I apply the spray and then I move to another part of the room while the spray is still in the air. I then use a cloth to rewash my face.

I think we are all allergic or sensitive to different substances and scents so you may have to just try a small sample and then diary your symptoms for a few days. I have started doing that since my "d'oh!" moment with Clinique Happy.

Just a note: I have found that many products will change their formulas just to have a label that says "new!" or "improved!" as a marketing tool. I have been stung by the Nutragena Sensitive Skin sun screen for one example. I had a rash on my arms and eyes inflamed for days when I used it and I had used that product for years before they "improved" their formula.

Scout

[stella]

On the same lines -
I am becomming more and more convinced that there is an allergen in our house - must be dust mites, we have no pets
My husband sneezes all the time at home - then we had a daughter son in law and 3 little grand sons aged 8 6 4 years to stay over Christmas and they were all sneezing and complaining of symptoms similar to common cold (but no obvious infection, and milder symptoms than the cold )One of them complained his eyes hurt !!!
They left yesterday - and i have never cleaned the house so thoroughly - damp dusting everywhere (IHATE cleaning )
We have carpets in most rooms , but kitchen ;utility and sunroom are all tiled flooring
I must invest in a Vax machine - steam cleans and supposed to kill dust mites ( though i'm not completely sure it is dust mites)
Any one any ideas or have similar problems ?

[Judy]

Hi Scout,

Thanks for the helpful info. I might try Tresemme pump spray if I can find it. What the heck! May your New Year be incredible!

Hi Stella,

In Florida many people have issues with mold in their air conditioning vents, so you may want to think about that. Not that you want to think about that, but it is another possibility! May your New Year be incredible as well.

Judy

[stella]

Happy New Year to you too Judy - and to all my dry eye buddies

We dont have air con, weather's too moderate here(that's a polite way of saying weather in GB is lousy)
It is a new house -only built 7 years ago so it should 'nt have mould ,though with the very wet summers we have had this last 2 years it could be ??

[wolfie]

I'm leaning more and more towards accusing my hairspray for my mild dry eyes.

I take good care of not spraying any in my eyes , but you can never prevent small particles from setting things off...

I use NIOXIN hairspray and it has a slight fragrance to it ... but I can't really walk out the door without using hairspray :/

[Judy]

I gave up hairspray a few years ago, but whenever I am at the hairdresser (about every 6 weeks or so), she uses it and my hair looks much better but my eyes look even more red when I walk out. Oh the price we have to pay for beauty...

[wolfie]

what 's weird is that ... even when I keep my problem eye closed during the entire hairspray - spraying () until I leave the bathroom I still have a problem.

can it be that the perfume ingredient that is in the hairspray descends to the eyes during the day and causes the irritation ?

talking about high sensitivity !
but I'm really basing this on a strong conviction that hairspray has a lot to do with my probs.

[magoo]

The problem I find with hairspray or anything else I put on my hair or face, at night it gets on the pillow, and from there to my eyes. At least, I think that is what is happening.

[wolfie]

might be valuable comment to about the pillow ... maybe best to wash hair before sleep , but then I'm washing my hair twice a day , every day ... not good for the scalp / hair ...

this morning I used sunglasses to cover op the eyes while spraying ... didn't see a thing tho

[Judy]

Well, I decided to try the hairspray this morning for the first time in years and I took off my glasses and closed my eyes in one corner of the bathroom, sprayed, then moved rapidly out of the room and opened my eyes. My hair looks better and my eyes look about the same (not any more red than before the spray). However, it isn't the easiest to spray your hair evenly with your eyes closed if you know what I mean... Anyway, for special occasions, I may continue this... Who would have thought we'd be discussing hairspray tricks on a dry eye website?

[dianat]

Well I'll take my turn then. When I spray hairspray, I go into my large closet, cover both eyes with my entire hand and spray with the other. I then walk out of the closet very quickly so as not to get any of the mist anywhere near my face. So far I don't feel any worse when I use it than when I don't.

I have loads of other personal hygiene techniques, but I'll spare everyone here.