I am just wondering... my RSD is nearly full body now... and I have a hard time shaving my legs/ arm pits. What do you do about shaving? Part of it is the sensitivity is hard to deal with and another part is trying to bend/ use my arm at the same time.

Also... those of you with upper extremity RSD- deoderant? I sweat way too much from the RSD and I end up smelling even though I put deoderant on. Have you found something that works even of you sweat a bunch?


I HATE SHAVING AND DEODERANT... the deoderant feels like it is burning through me and eating me alive! In addition to not being able to bend well/ the sensitivity of my legs, I have very sensitive skin anyway (even before RSD), and I always end up nicking my legs with the razor even if I use shaving cream/ soap/ water/ etc; and those cuts make my RSD ten times worse.

Does anyone have any ideas for me?! Thanks!

Tired of shaving and deoderant!

Heya..

Well... smelling is never a good option. I know we get isolated with RSD - but that would be taking it too far. Don't think your family would be too keen either!

Shaving - HAHAHA YEH RIGHT. I am just a Yeti (well, I'm not cos most of the hair has fallen out of my legs and arms). I must admit I get my carer to attack my armpits occasionally just because I HATE armpit hair and it stings so badly on my under arms. I figure that shaving/ waxing/ immacing takes 2 seconds and lasts for weeks whereas letting the hair touch me sends me MAD! (or madder). Shaving is faster - but because of my dystonia I can't be relied on to stay still - and am not a fan of being pinned to the bed by the carer and my mates so that a razor can be waved under my arms - so waxing is easier - but more painful short term. I discovered immac lately and it's great - it's just that with my skin being so SO easily destroyed I end up with horrible rashes from it - so use it as a last resort.

Legs - quite a few RSDers I know sugar them. I wear my legs with confidence that they are one of the ugliest pairs you are likely to ever see..!!

Also - I must admit because of pains "down there" and hypersensitivity I get waxes or immac *=(hair removal cream).... not comfortable - but seriously - if you are having to be bed bathed it is alot more.....
(trying to think of a word) ....... convenient...and less hypersensitive.

Eyebrows - I cheat - my PM dr prescribes me numbing gel :P hahah! then they are either waxed or plucked by a professional.. or carers I TRUST .. (my sis once plucked them all out. it was NOT a good look).

Deodrant - do you use spray, wash or roll? Sprays are very painful due to the aerosols - have you tried the rolls? Though it is hard to get your arm up there... will have a think. When I was able to use my arms more I had a rolling one attached to a stick. I also used to use a handmade deodrant bar which was far nicer on the skin and smelled great. Isn't aluminum chloride good for stopping sweating? but might kill the skin,

Let me know how the de-yeti-ing goes!

Froggsy xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Mitchum for Women works great no other deodorant helps me. Also I use Lady Remington electric razor hopefully that won't be harsh for your skin. Its an old product,but maybe the store will have something that will work good. I'm so sorry to hear that your going through such a bad time with the RSD. How are your migraines doing? Sometimes my migraines are doing better and other times they are awful. Hopefully you will get some relief soon with your RSD and the Migraines. I will keep you in my prayers. Take Care

Laraine

How about delapidators (sp?) there are some that are for sensitive skin.. I tried them long ago and it was chemicaly painful but aparently they are alot better now. (my skin has always been sensitive too)

I kept up my leg shaving through the pain and I realy think it has been like ongoing desensitizing of my legs, I had to let them grow when I was so bad again this winter and my leg sensitivity went way up (also felt like lotsa ants were crawling all over on my lower legs alot)

I noticed my legs are more sensitive again since but I consider me continuing to shave is part of my therapy physio too.

I have a flat air matress pillow that floats well with the leg I am shaving on it, and it also seems to help alot with the chest wall pain cause it brings your leg closer. and always make sure the legs are real warm first.

As for shaving, I just hold my breath and hope I finish in like 3 strokes. I have this razor with soft (hahaha...yeah right) gel bars on each end so it helps prevent cuts. But it helps to soften the area without the hastle of putting cream on. That always bothered me.


I'm not as sensitive to deodorant, but I believe they make spray on kind that isn't powdery or gel like so it isn't as irritating. It just might hurt a little bit when it sprays on but you can always spray it onto your hands and then rub it on to make it a little gentler. But it works with sweating

Hope this helps

Nikki

ihh....Secret has a new clinical strength deoderant. the reviews on it have been great. a little Caldesene(sp) powder might help. it is for diaper rash...but it stops the bacteria...and that is what causes smell.

i have super sensative skin. i wax or use Veet dipilatory cream for sensative skin. it comes with a rubber razor looking thing. no blade. it nicely scrapes off the hair.

i tried one of those Venus razors with the built in shave cream. smooth shave, but the cream stuff irratated my skin. maybe i should have washed it off with soap afterwords.

shaving cream is just foamy soap....and like most soaps, very drying.....use lotion to shave....leaves the skin much less irritated....be sure to use UN-scented!....the most common irritant in cosmetic products is perfume, but of course, so many people love the yummy smells.

i read recently that using hair conditioner on your legs makes them easy to shave, but i haven't tried it, and many of them r scented.

depilatories tend to be hard on the skin also, so be cautious with those and be sure to allergy test before using.

good luck with finding the answer!

I am lucky and don't sweat a lot under my arms, only all over body sweats with RSD! I have been told that Gold Bond's Powder works wonders for under arms but you have to apply a few times a day, there is also Tom's of Maine natural deodorants that don't sting.

As far as shaving, I just put it off for as long as possible. Luckily I am not hairy but under arms is tricky since my hands don't bend well.

Good luck!

I think no matter how I toss it- shaving is going to be pure tortue for me. I have signifigant allodynia. I am thinking about the depilatories, but I am not sure if they will be harsh on me sensitivity wise.


As far as the sensitive skin- Liz, yes-- I have tried using conditioner (it is the best out of soap, shaving cream and shampoo).


Yep- I do tend to put it off as long as possible. I make myself do it for pool therapy, because I know someone will see my legs ()- though all the pain I go through to shave is not worth it and I start not caring what anyone things of my legs! I am admitting it- for a long time I would *never* wear any socks with designs out of the house because I thought people would think they were funny, and I could not stand any of my outfits mismatching- my socks had to match my outfit... and now I absolutely *love* those crazy silly socks and I don't care what anyone thinks of me for wearing them- seriously! I get funny looks just because I can't walk/ move right anyways so the socks are the last thing someone is going to look at me funny for!


No matter what deoderant I use it is going to hurt- it will burn no matter what kind I use, I am just looking for something (that although it will hurt to put it on) that will keep me smelling good though I sweat a lot (from the RSD- I never did sweat bad before). Smelling good is a must! Thanks for the ideas on the deoderants!


Frogga, I am lost! What is "sugaring" your legs? Yeah- that under arm hair hurts like mad and shaving it hurts but at least it is done for a while and doesn't continue to drive you mad.


Thank you all for the tips... Frogga, I think I might send you a picture of me in a month and I will have turned into a yeti! In all seriousness that might be what I choose to do. Yeah, shaving is good desense but it HURTS and I don't like that everytime I shave I get cuts all over my legs (if you want to have a flare up of pain that is what to do!)... ARGH!!

sugaring is like waxing.

have you thought of lazor hair removal?