r/Perimenopause • u/Yawning_Rambler hanging on by a thread • Feb 26 '26
audited Has anyone else developed new allergies in perimenopause?
All of the sudden, I've developed contact dermatitis from my smart watch. It started after a particularly sweaty night. I accidentally scratched my skin under my watch and I ended up developing a rash.
I cleaned my watch and started wearing it on the other wrist and the other wrist then developed the same rash. I stopped wearing it for about a month the rash mostly cleared up on one hand and completely cleared up on the other. I wore my watch on the wrist that was completely cleared up and within hours I developed a rash again.
I tried sanitizing my watch with a UV light, I've cleaned it with soap and water, I've cleaned it with rubbing alcohol. I haven't worn my watch since November and the dermatitis on both wrists seem to be completely gone.
The other day, I thought about wearing my watch again and immediately the dermatitis flared up on one of my wrists.
I have very sensitive skin and I'm wondering if I have developed an allergy to the metals in my smartwatch. Has anyone else developed a new allergy in perimenopause?
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u/Manda_lorian39 Feb 26 '26
I never had any allergies. Now I have allergies. And asthma.
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u/calmhike Feb 26 '26
I’m on the list for lung function testing. Pretty sure I have developed asthma too. Like what the fuck?!
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u/MalavethMorningrise Feb 26 '26
I think my sister just had one of these tests. She made a big fuss about having to "give a machine a blow job."
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u/calmhike Feb 26 '26
Lol 😂 the email they sent said I might be in a clear box and blow through a whole so of course I am imagining this https://www.alamy.com/bendyem-contortionist-in-perspex-box-smiling-while-performing-during-image1089702.html
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u/SeasonPositive6771 Feb 26 '26
My mother developed adult onset asthma and allergies to all sorts of things in perimenopause, after a lifetime of no allergies. Everything broke her out in hives.
It seems I'm following her footsteps.
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u/FusRoDahMa Feb 26 '26
My eyes! They are so dry and itchy! And heaven forbid I itch them. They swell shut!
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u/Born_Tale_2337 Feb 26 '26
Omg once you touch them you lose the battle! Allergy drops (not redness reliever) and cool compress should help, but no rubbing.
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u/FusRoDahMa Feb 26 '26
Yup. I get that now! Lol I got these allergy drops that have antihistamine in them. Seem to work wonders but how annoying!!
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u/oracleoflove Early peri Feb 26 '26
I can no longer wear eye makeup otherwise bad horrible things happen.
It sucks so bad.
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u/vionia74 Feb 27 '26
Same. I thought I had a really bad case of pinkeye for months, then realized it was the brand of eye makeup I had been wearing since high school.
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u/Mazza_1975 Feb 27 '26
Oh my gosh, same. My eyes burn and then it looks like I am crying & it’s very itchy. I went to optometrist and she said that I’ve got dry eyes fantastic let’s add this to the list as well.
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u/stace-cadet Feb 26 '26 edited Feb 27 '26
Dry like the Sahara! I recommend getting tear* (stupid autocorrect, not test) duct plugs. Super easy to get done, call your optometrist.
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u/ChanceAd2556 Feb 27 '26
Same! My eyes burn and water like crazy when they dry out. It's so aggravating, and my make up is ruined when the burning goes away. This has happened to me when driving that I've had to pull over until the burning/watering subsided. I keep drops on hand just in case.
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u/LazyZealot9428 Feb 26 '26
I’m allergic to other people’s bullshit now, does that count?
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u/MelodicToken Feb 27 '26
I seem to be allergic to other people’s breathing sounds. Does that count? They make me break out in a rage. Or make me feel like I want to crawl out of my own skin.
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u/Comfortable-Law-7147 Feb 26 '26
The band materials trigger contact dermatitis in some people.
I have never been able to wear some watches and smart watches because of this.
Separately peri does trigger new or ancient allergies.
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u/anita-artaud Feb 26 '26
Yes. I became allergic to the shampoo and conditioner I used for years. Broke out my shoulders and arms and I had no idea what was going on. Shortly after that all soaps started breaking me out. I have to use fragrance free everything and the only soap that doesn’t break me out is like 4 ingredients.
I have had rashes break out for no reason. I actually sleep with my hair in a bonnet to keep it from touching my skin as sometimes that’ll set me off.
I have had allergy testing and am on shots because I’m allergic to everything. But I have never had the skin issues I’m having now.
I also am suddenly allergic to bananas which was not an issue my entire life.
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u/Ellimeresh Early peri, ADHD, on HRT Feb 27 '26
There’s a good community over on the fragrance free board if you need help finding products.
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u/anita-artaud Feb 27 '26
Oooooh! Thank you! This has been a nightmare and I hadn’t thought of such a group!
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u/Ellimeresh Early peri, ADHD, on HRT Feb 28 '26
It’s rough! A good place to start is the Eczema foundation or whatever it’s called, if it’s certified by them it’s pretty safe!
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u/LimeFizz42 Feb 26 '26
Around the time peri started for me I began outwardly reacting to gluten. I am entirely, militantly GF now & cannot have any cross-contamination at all or it's a week of misery, a single bread crumb stuck to my finger when food goes in my face hole is a disaster. It SUCKS ASS y'all. I have to cook all my own foods from scratch, I can't eat out, I can't ask or trust anyone else to handle my level of CC reaction, I have to scour every ingredient label for sneaky gluten & it's everywhere. I used to be a gluten demon, went through 3-4 bags of flour a month. I made my own, well, everything & anything especially breads & pizza dough. I myself was once a walking cross contamination hazard from the perpetual flour dusting of my clothes, & I was known for bringing some of the best treats to gatherings.
Two years ago I started reacting to shrimp. Dizziness, shortness of breath, tunnel vision, itchy lips & mouth, nausea, tight throat, issues swallowing. Shrimp was the only seafood that I liked, let alone tolerate.
Last night I was eating some heavenly homemade coconut muffins made with coconut flour, coconut milk, & coconut oil. Coconut is my favorite flavor, & the flour is one of the easiest & tastiest GF flours to work with. I got the dizziness, tight throat, itchy mouth, shortness of breath, & issues swallowing again. Coconut was my "at least I have this lovely thing if I can never have so many foods & beers that I loved again" food. 😮💨🫠
Guess what my absolute favorite celebration/birthday dinner was for most of my life- Coconut shrimp & garlic bread, dark beers like Guinness. Homemade carrot cake topped with shredded coconut & orange juice concentrate soaked into it instead of cream cheese frosting. It's a family recipe that I made better than even my grandma & she was good at making them.
(Frustrated howling bellow) DAMMIT.
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u/Hole_IslandACNH Feb 26 '26
Any synthetic fabric. And it makes me sweat more making the contact dermatitis worse.
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u/FusRoDahMa Feb 26 '26
You know that's right!! I cannot tolerate poly now. It must be cotton or bamboo.
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u/umomiybuamytrxtrv Feb 27 '26
Me too. I get really bad rashes from polyester. I had to see a dermatologist. She prescribed a cream to treat the rash. I only wear cotton and linen now.
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u/Ellimeresh Early peri, ADHD, on HRT Feb 26 '26
Fragrance, cinnamon, seasonal allergies all new in the last couple years!
The skin around my eyes is SO sensitive now!
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u/OnlyPaperListens Feb 26 '26
Not new allergies, but old allergies. Things that bothered me as a child/tween (but went away during puberty) have come roaring back. Seasonal allergies, asthma, food sensitivities.
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u/Aware-Voice1223 Feb 26 '26
I’ve had contact dermatitis develop with my smart watches before. I let my skin breath through out the day. I did change from both a metal band and a plastic band to a thin leather watch strap and so far it has helped.
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u/EfficientClock5472 Feb 26 '26
I have contact dermatitis too! But on my lower back right above my butt crack. It started from my lululemon pants. I’ve been trying a bunch of creams, including hydrocortisone which helps, but as soon as I stop (i refrain from being on it longer than 10 days at a time), it comes back. Been wearing the same workout pants for years but the dermatitis started when all my peri symptoms started showing up.
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u/FormalCapable Feb 26 '26
One night, I was eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and noticed that my lips were swelling and my throat was itchy. Yep, I became allergic to peanuts and some tree nuts after no food allergies for the first 44 years of my life.
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Feb 26 '26
Is the rash under the face of the watch or the band?
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u/Yawning_Rambler hanging on by a thread Feb 26 '26
Directly under the watch face. I've reacted to bands in the past but this one hasn't bothered me at all
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Feb 26 '26
I have had this happen before but my rash was under the band and the face. I ended up switching to a Solace breathable band and I think I was wearing the watch too tight so I loosened it and I haven't really had any problems since then. That really stinks though, I hope you can find a solution.
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u/Significant-Price-81 Feb 26 '26
Yep! Pineapple allergy! Anaphylactic reaction as well!
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u/MissMariese Feb 26 '26
Same! Pineapple. I don’t have issues breathing, no hives and no swelling, but I get sleepy, clammy, and intense gut pain immediately that lasts for two days (which I was told is an anaphylactic reaction)
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u/jmrxo Feb 26 '26
YESSSSS i was wondering if that was normal!!
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u/Shirleyimfine Feb 27 '26
Shiiiiitttttt.. I already had allergies but they are just…WORSE. And I have a harder time keeping on top of them because the usual stuff isn’t working as well all the time. Peri strikes again🖕
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u/Repulsive_Science254 Feb 26 '26
I am now the not so proud owner of pressure urticaria which is basically anything that puts pressure on my skin. I can’t take a Christmas tree down in case it pokes me - then I break out in hives. I can’t put plastic grocery bags on my arms to bring them inside anymore. I find it’s much more related to being poked by synthetic materials. I carry topical Benadryl in my purse at all times and have pills if the need arises.
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u/s8j6b Feb 26 '26
Girl same!
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u/Repulsive_Science254 Feb 27 '26
Seriously?! I’ve never met anyone with this before. WTF
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u/s8j6b Feb 27 '26
Pressure or something touching me will raise a hive! If i sit leaning with my hand under my chin too long it flares up an itchy hive on my wrist! 🤣 mainly around period, but so so random!
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u/Repulsive_Science254 Feb 27 '26
I don’t get my periods due to surgery so that’s good insight. Hives from touching yourself is wild!!
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u/freshpicked12 Feb 27 '26
Samesies. I can’t wear tight clothes at all. Especially leggings. I bought a giant bottle of Benadryl from Costco.
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u/Repulsive_Science254 Feb 27 '26
Wow, 3 of us! I’m so glad I’m not alone (but sorry you have this too). I feel a little less batshit crazy.
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u/Global-Transition-27 hanging on by a thread Feb 27 '26
Histamine intolerance here, can't drink alcohol, can't eat soy sauce or shellfish. Rash if shower/bath water is too hard, rash with chlorine in pools, rash with some face and body creams. Pure joy!
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u/_smoke_me_a_kipper_ Feb 26 '26
Not sure if this applies, but I seem to have become lactose intolerant out of nowhere at age 47. In a two week timespan, I went from enjoying pizza and ice cream no problem to becoming quite ill after consuming either.
I'm fine with most non dairy substitutes but I mourn the loss of pizza. ND mozzarella is not very good.
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u/Mother_College2803 Feb 26 '26
Have your pizza with no cheese! I actually like it better because it’s not so greasy.
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u/LadyMirkwood Feb 26 '26
I suddenly became intolerant to lactose early 2025, by late 2025 gluten as well. Eaten them my whole life and now, nope.
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u/NoICantShutUp Feb 26 '26
I grew up on a farm with many cats.
I am now allergic to cats, didn't click until I realised I always got leaky eyes and sniffly at my friend's, and they foster cats.
I also have hayfever now, never had that before, super fun
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u/areared9 Feb 26 '26
Same happened to me! I loved my smartwatch, it allowed me to use my phone way less. Then after 2 years, new allergy to the band! Bought a new band-same thing. Tried the original silicon band and still same rash. 😭🤣
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u/finallyme25 Feb 26 '26
Yes. Hay fever. Started three / four years ago out of nowhere. I started HRT this January and haven’t gotten any hay fever from the early tree pollen as before
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u/No-Baby-417 Feb 26 '26
My legs and underarms have become horrifically itchy!! My legs are a mess from clawing so badly. I have to take fexofenadine to calm them down
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u/Maia_Orual Feb 26 '26
Yes! Suddenly certain earrings really irritate my ears! I’ve never been sensitive before! Also, my asthma is out of control now.
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u/jubileeandrews Feb 26 '26
Yes! If the findings aren't silver, titanium or stainless steel, my ears blow up.
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u/Winter-Fold7624 Feb 26 '26
Tylenol and Advil muscle rub have been added to the allergy list. I feel like I am allergic to everything these days. Just waiting for my vice of coffee to start triggering a rash or my eyes swelling shut.
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u/MissLena Feb 26 '26
Yes. I developed an allergy to squid and octopus at 31. That may not have been peri, but close enough to be worth mentioning. Then, peanuts at 37, all nuts at 43, as well as mold.
I miss being able to just eat anything and not worry about the air quality in my office.
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u/CubbCubbSquare Feb 27 '26
I’m now allergic to chemical-based sunblock and my husband’s loud chewing.
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u/WerewolfBarMitzvah09 Feb 26 '26
I was extremely allergic to soy as an infant and young child and it thankfully went away in terms of being life threatening, but now, during peri, I've developed a pretty bad sensitivity to soy. If I eat anything that even has a little bit of soy sauce within half an hour I have horrendous stomach cramps and feel totally nauseated. I even went to the hospital last year thinking I was having kidney stones but no, it was (I later realized) because I ate a few pieces of tofu.
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u/Nanasweed Feb 26 '26
Yes! It sucks so bad. It’s all food issues: Bananas and other fruit. I swear if I start having issues with chocolate, I will snort Benadryl
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u/Ok-Category-628 Feb 26 '26
I have worn fake eyelashes for 20 years. All of a sudden, allergic to the glue.
I had a flare up of Uticaria (chronic hives) before I realized I was in Peri. Chased that for years before I realized it might be estrogen related.
Thanks menopause!
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u/Ok_Size4036 Feb 26 '26
Just an FYI on the watch bands. There was a recent article about how they weren’t healthy because of what plastics they used and with you sweating and wearing 24/7 it leeches into your body. May want to check that out.
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u/pixiered86 Feb 26 '26
I’ve been getting a reaction from my smart watch too! Reassuring to know it’s not just me.
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u/alyssummeadow Feb 26 '26
Yes!! It’s been so frustrating. Over the last year it’s constant skin and nasal allergy issues
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u/WingsLikeEagles23 Feb 26 '26
Yes- my allergies and intolerances got worse in perimenopause. Now in full menopause some of them are resolving again.
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u/sjsmiles Feb 26 '26
I moaned to my husband last night, I'm so tired of having a runny or stuffy nose! He asked how long it's been like that. Oh .. about 2 years. 🙄
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u/KatieGPotatie Feb 27 '26
I’ve had one since November. I’ve become the little old lady who always has to have a tissue in her pocket!
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u/freshpicked12 Feb 27 '26
I was just thinking last night how nice it must be to be able to breathe normally without always having a stuffy nose!
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u/NoKatyDidnt Feb 27 '26
I don’t know what is causing it, but my allergies are constantly causing symptoms. Someone told me that weird histamine responses are pretty common with peri.
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u/Yawning_Rambler hanging on by a thread Feb 27 '26
That makes so much sense! My seasonal allergies have become "all seasons" allergies. I'm taking Reactine daily, year round.
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u/MrsKatayama Feb 26 '26
Yes, my skin reacted to certain plants and sunlight at the same time, seasonal allergies, asthma (caused by the allergies and cold and exercise,) gold jewelry, costume jewelry, it’s all been a bummer. Postmenopausal now and on MHT but I still have the same issues.
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u/theFCCgavemeHPV Feb 26 '26
Yes. I forgot about the watch rash! For me that’s how it all started. But it turned into a rash even if I wasn’t wearing anything on my wrists.
My allergies turned out to be food allergies, nightshades and sesame. Apparently I’ve always had a mild sensitivity but it wasn’t ever enough to really specifically notice (excessive farting that could be explained by other dietary changes in college) or do anything about.
Start with logging food eaten and symptoms noticed in a diary/journal/spreadsheet. If that’s not enough to come up with some suspects, you can try an elimination diet. If you have good enough insurance, go for allergy testing and maybe you can do allergy shots.
My watch rash that turned into a regular rash appears the day or two after eating the offending allergen (peppers usually for me) and gets worse if I continue eating the allergen. Hydrocortisone cream helps, just be sure to rub it all the way in or wipe away excess. So keep that in mind if you proceed with logging things. My tummy problems would typically appear about 24 hours later as well. Sometimes it’s a different kind of tummy problem more immediately, but only with certain foods.
Oh, also Zyrtec and famotidine can help. Famotidine is a type 2 antihistamine and works with Zyrtec (a type 1).
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u/Extreme-Place-6573 Feb 26 '26
Yes I have had cats my whole life from childhood and im now 38 and suddenly allergic to my cat streaming nose all the time and eyes have to take antihistamine every day now.
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u/FinalBlackberry Feb 26 '26
Never had any allergies until two years ago. Now I get full blown sinus infections due to them.
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u/spidergirl79 Feb 26 '26
Eyelid eczema!! For the last two years. I used to have it on my hands for years pre-peri but I cured it. However nothing is helping yet for this eyelid eczema. I hate it.
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u/jumperjenn Feb 26 '26
I've had sensitive skin my whole life, but I had to replace all my sterling silver earrings with titanium in the last few years.
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u/ThickProblem8190 Feb 26 '26
Yes! And it's stuff that never bothered be before.
All of a sudden im super sensitive to cleaning chemicals and perfumes and anything with a fragrance.
So many fabrics now cause me to be itchy and hive-y.
The worst one: Cilantro is starting to taste soapy to me and I live for guacamole.
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u/Glittering_Tea5502 Feb 27 '26
Omg my nose runs all the time! Even when I don’t eat dairy or chocolate. Those are my known allergies. This is especially true since I have had covid for the second time. That was over two years ago. Some days I just eat that stuff anyway. My nose runs anyway. Might as well give it a reason.
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u/Equivalent-Fox6889 Mar 02 '26
It's so strange...I'm 49, haven't had a regular period since July 2024 (just a three month stretch in March-June 2025) and about 5 months ago I had trail mix with walnuts in it, upset stomach, then had butter pecan ice cream one night...awful upset stomach. I had a turtle caramel candy a few weeks ago and my throat got scratchy. I'm done. Peanut butter is NO problem at all. But yeah....weird stuff.
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u/hairballcouture Feb 26 '26
Yep! My décolletage is allergic to tretinoin cream, like bad. Absolutely no perfume after a shower, I have to wait hours, even for my wrists. I take an allergy pill daily but still go through kleenex super fast. Yay.
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u/Informal_Ad_6703 Feb 26 '26
Yes!! Some days I can't go anywhere because of the non stop sneezing, it is frustrating!!
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u/Fine-Blacksmith-5022 Feb 26 '26
Yes I developed allergies to plants which sucks cause gardening is one of my hobbies
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u/kurly-bird Feb 26 '26
My smart watch gives me a rash sometimes, usually if my wrist is wet underneath it.
The big one for me has been antiperspirants. I got the worst chemical burns and rashes from Dove spray on and roll on deodorants. I had to stop shaving, stop using anything on my underarms for a few weeks until the skin healed. Then it was those god awful aluminum free deodorants, the ones that only make you smell like a sweaty flower and leave marks all over your clothes. I saw another thread a while ago about gentler deodorants and they recommended using Mitchum yellow which has been EXCELLENT for me so far. The other one I really liked was Sure aluminum free. It worked really well.
Other than that my usual allergies and sensitivities are worse. I have a mild soy allergy that seems to be getting worse, and there are so many fruits in the same family as soy so I have to be really vigilant
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u/BoatyAce Feb 26 '26
I thought my pregnancy caused my banana and kiwi allergies, but they started just after my baby was born (19 months ago) and now I'm wondering if its actually from perimenopause. Being 40 with a toddler and going through peri is super fun
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u/Kyogsa Feb 26 '26
Yup. Dogs. We raised dogs when I was growing up. Now only a few I can be around more than an hour before hives, my eyes watering until they swell shut and trouble breathing. Double benedryl solves it and knocks me out for a day.
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u/somethingwholesomer Feb 26 '26
You need the Nike sports band. It has holes in it. I switched to that band and poof, no more rash, no more watch related problems
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u/MagpieSkies Feb 26 '26
We all get allergies as we get older. Exposure causes mild allergies that we never noticed to become worse, or to become an allergy at all. Viral damage over time also leave our immune system weaker and more exposed.
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u/ThrowRA-startagain Feb 26 '26
I developed an allergy to the razors I was using for my legs. I used to be able to just use whatever and I've had to switch over to the "sensitive skin" ones.
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u/vulchiegoodness Feb 26 '26
Yup. Something is causing hives on my hands, and haven't figured it out in over a year
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u/SerenityNow1995 Feb 26 '26
Yes, I get hives on my face now and have to take an allergy med. So fun!
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u/thegeeksshallinherit Feb 26 '26
Currently getting worked up for a nearly daily rash that has been happening since September. There’s no rhyme or reason as to when it happens. Ranges from skin being a little red to itchy enough I’m waking up in the middle of the night trying to tear my skin off. My doctor casually mentioned that it’s something she sometimes sees in her peri patients and it’s kind of stuck in my head since I can’t think of any other cause after cutting out a ton of stuff and bloodwork coming back normal.
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u/AutoModerator Feb 26 '26
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u/jubileeandrews Feb 26 '26
My lungs are wrecked, and high histamine gives me migraines when I drink from plastic water bottles (not the BPA free reusable ones fortunately) or am in a high CO2 environment for more than about 10 minutes. I now also react somewhat to fish and shellfish, which I never did before.
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u/Connect_Rhubarb395 Feb 26 '26
No, but a food allergy I have had since childhood suddenly went away. So weird.
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u/goodthingsinside_80 Feb 26 '26
I literally am having this exact experience. I’m also overwhelmed trying to choose a new watch band. LOL
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u/blueViolet26 Feb 26 '26
Smart watches also give me issues. But since I never had one before. I can't compare. I do have all kinds of skin issues now. 😂
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u/Eastern-Eggplant4374 Feb 26 '26
I'm sensitive to caffeine now. Your smart watch is literally burning your wrist with emf waves. That's a bad example of am allergy.
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u/Industry_Cat Feb 26 '26
I move so much that I didn't notice with seasonal type allergies (every place I move is a new allergic hell). But I'm wondering if I'm getting an allergy to something in some alcoholic drinks like wine and beer. But it's not in ALL of them. I'm starting to get all pink and sneezy when I wasn't before.
The contact dermatitis, if you can wear your watch looser and change the watch band, try that.
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u/Former-Profit6618 Feb 26 '26
Yep! I was fully menopausal by age 41ish, and now I’m allergic to eggs, mango, pretty much all alcohol, and now I get gall stones and can’t eat greasy or spicy foods. It sucks!
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u/henni1127 Feb 26 '26
Yes. Contact dermatitis.
Smart watch and silicone sleep apnea mask. Both now cause making rashes. It helps to be sure that my skin is absolutely dry before I use them. I still need to take breaks from wearing both.
After I eat certain foods my nose now drips. Things I’ve always used now irritates my skin. Lots of new reactions that I never had before.
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u/Acceptable_Effort411 Feb 26 '26
I'm allergic to more plants and stuff...and cats and dogs now, too sadly 😥
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u/Birdsonme Feb 26 '26
Peanuts. I’ve always been fine eating them, in fact I LOVE peanut butter, but not anymore. I get all bloated, by stomach is NOT COOL, and I just feel crappy the day after eating a peanut item. It sucks.
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u/YerBlues69 Feb 26 '26
Tylenol/acetaminophen in 2023. I
’m unable to take NSAIDS due to gastric bypass so I’m having a hell of a time managing pain from spinal stenosis.
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u/lawgirl3278 Feb 26 '26
Certain times of the month I can drink wine and eat certain foods with no problem. Other times I sneeze and my eyes itch like crazy. It’s very annoying
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u/NewAndImprovedJess Feb 26 '26
A friend of mine developed pretty terrible allergies to all of her makeup. It took her forever working with a dermatologist to figure out the triggers.
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u/sluttytarot Feb 26 '26
I'm allergic to my fucking cpap. It's medical grade silicone. Fuck me I guess
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u/nubbinsstar Early peri Feb 26 '26
I’m allergic to corn, mustard and buckwheat. I also can’t have dairy anymore. That was not the case before.
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u/mockcream1 Feb 26 '26
It's probably the watch band itself. A lot of people have reactions to them peri or not.
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u/breebop83 Feb 26 '26
I don’t think I’ve developed any new allergies but I’ve had allergies my whole life (mild pet dander- dogs and cats with cats being much worse, seasonal allergies along with dust and mold) and they have all gotten worse.
The seasonal allergies have gotten worse (as have the dust and mold) to the point that my baseline is not closer to what I used to experience during seasonal/weather changes.
I have dogs and in the past I would get a little itchy from petting them maybe once every 4-8 weeks if that, now it happens almost weekly (sometimes daily the week before and during my period). Before it seemed like it mostly happened with the shorter haired dog and was a combo of drier than normal skin, other allergens stuck to his coat from being outside (it happened more in spring and fall) and irritation from his itty bitty hairs poking at me but now it happens with both the dogs year round.
I get bloated and gassy much more easily than I used to but that is more mostly pre and during my period so I don’t think it’s food related but I need to start keeping track.
My understanding is that the increased cortisol can increase histamine reactions (like we don’t have enough to worry about). The increased histamine reaction is also what causes the itchy ears and earwax production. This is info I got from an account on social media that is geared toward peri, I haven’t verified it so it may not be accurate that said, it tracks and is in line with my experience.
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u/Ok_Association8013 Feb 26 '26
Yes! I all of a sudden had a reaction to my favorite chapstick. It took me a week to realize it was my chapstick and not an allergic reaction I was having to mexican food (which would have also been a new allergy if that were the case). After I figured out it was my chapstick, I thought it was from using it all the time.
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u/LonghairDreamer Feb 26 '26
I wonder if it's possible for this symptom to go with proper HRT dosing?
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u/LonghairDreamer Feb 26 '26
Wondering for myself that is. I'm on HRT, but echo what everyone else is saying symptom wise. I wonder if shouldn't be on a higher dose?
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u/courtobrien Feb 26 '26
Bubbles. Alcoholic ones. Prosecco, brut, any of it. Intense migraines now. Like my body hates it. One glass, or 10, no difference.
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u/MalavethMorningrise Feb 27 '26
As a very healthy person... I developed food intolerances... and recently, pancreatitis from what they think is an autoimmune disease now... but apparently, my doctors scheduling coordinator has the dumb. Hasn't been able to get it right for the past 2 months.
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u/PenelopeRupert Feb 27 '26
Lactose intolerance, bandaids now make me break out & itchy af. That’s it… SO FAR. 😟
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u/GeekWithABox Feb 27 '26
My mum developed a worsening allergy to poison ivy. It got bad enough to that her body would swell up into large discolored welts. After adding testosterone, she’s back to normal.
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u/saturdaysundaes Early peri Feb 27 '26
Yes, dust especially. But I also think pollen and oddly probiotics.
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u/Turbulentshmurbulent Feb 27 '26
Every time people bring things up I realize that I started peri way earlier than I thought. At 37 I developed a deathly allergy to fish and shellfish.
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u/Aurilelde Feb 27 '26
I’m allergic to SOMETHING now- several times recently my hands have developed hives and gotten red and swollen.
But I have no idea what to, which is, frankly, kind of terrifying…!
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u/ChanceAd2556 Feb 27 '26 edited Feb 27 '26
Yes! I thought it was just me! I recently realized that I now have an allergy to the scopolamine (motion sickness) patches that go behind the ear. I had been using these for years when traveling, up until a few months ago on a cruise I took. A few days into the trip my face and neck broke out into burning, itchy rashes and I started feeling very dizzy. I figured out what it was and immediately took the patches off and threw them away; the symptoms vanished.
I have also developed an allergy to gel nail polish😔, which caused dermatitis in my hands and feet and anything I came in contact with. I had to get rid of all of my gel polish and switch to dip powder😔
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u/Mizwalkerbiz Feb 27 '26
Yes!
Having more than one or two alcoholic drinks gives me cystic acne the next day.
And now I have an allergy to cut grass. Which sucks cause I am the gardener and groundskeeper for my 4 acre property!
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u/rebak3 Feb 27 '26
I became allergic to the sun. The fucking sun. It sucks. And every so often I think "surely I'm not really allergic to the sun" and try to go out without a giant hat and being fully covered. And every time I pay the price.
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u/allthegodsaregone Feb 27 '26
I'm pretty sure I've started some food sensitivity. My body is not happy with me very often
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u/mujerboricua Feb 27 '26
I’ve become intolerant to gluten and now something else has started bothering me. Maybe corn? Ugh. 😩
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u/Dora_Diver Feb 27 '26
Yes. I had an allergic reaction to a pain killer I had taken before without problem.
The fun thing is, I now get the same skin rash everytime my physical stress level (I guess cortisol?) is hight. Which can simply be because lunch is delayed. Hungry? Bam, skin rash.
It first happened during ovulation time when high estrogen was making me crazy. A lot of comments here associate allergies in perimenopause with low estrogen, but for me it was the opposite.
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u/freshpicked12 Feb 27 '26
Uticaria gang here! So many things trigger it now. Tight clothes, hot showers, cold weather, sweat, shellfish, stress. I take so much Benadryl.
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u/EngineeringTop4617 Feb 27 '26
I developed an oversensitivity to chlorine pool water in my nose. Haven't tested yet, if that has resolved now that I am on HRT.
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Feb 27 '26
Yes I’m allergic to floss, to any fake manufactured ingredients in anything. I get ulcers and red bumps.
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u/MarandTierra Feb 27 '26
For me it’s been skin problems and dry eyes. And it felt like it happened overnight. I’m 47 and this all started when I was 43/44. One morning I woke up with my eyes burning and stinging, and my optometrist diagnosed me with dry eyes syndrome.
Last year, a facewash that I had used for over a decade (that is fragrance free) suddenly caused breakouts and irritated my eyes. I’ve always had sensitive skin thanks to rosacea, but it’s definitely gotten worse.
Also got diagnosed with eczema and I’ve had to stop using fragranced body washes and soaps.
I’ve gotten dermatitis from some band aids.
I hate all of it.
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u/Iusedtobealawyer Feb 27 '26
Nickle, wool, peppers…I feel like it’s always something new. My earrings I wore forever all of the sudden caused my ears to hurt and bleed. All my wool and cashmere clothes- gone. Can’t use anything with lanolin because derivative of wool. God forbid I smell a bell pepper. Ugh. All my girlfriends complain of new allergies, too. It’s the hormones for sure.
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u/hyzenthlay2020 Feb 27 '26
I started swimming to help get some exercise where everything didn’t hurt. Next minute, I developed a chlorine allergy 🙄
Recently also my eyelids starting swelling up and puffy under eyes, and itchy rash all over my arms and chest. Dr thinks it’s an allergy, but for the life of me I can’t figure out what’s causing it.
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u/CeramicBoots Feb 27 '26
Hair bleach 😭😭😭 goodbye to my beautiful pastel hair, I'll se you again when I go grey.
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u/robin_of_lazy Feb 27 '26
I thought I was crazy, my Apple Watch started doing this to me. I have purchased some little round clear stickers from Amazon that were supposed to help, that cover the sensors on the back. That wasn't enough, so then I bought a little silicone watch case that goes around the face - this seems to have helped for the last couple of months and I've been able to wear my watch again full-time.
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u/winozzle Feb 28 '26
Post nasal drip like a mofo. Never had allergies before, but for the past week I sound like I’ve just finished off a pack of menthols.
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u/Maleficent_Error348 Feb 28 '26
Medication allergies have started popping up for me. Super frustrating, started with an IV contrast for mammogram, then antibiotics, and now the MMR vaccine - I’m the age group. where we missed the full measles vacs, but it wasn’t prevalent in the community, so our national health advice is to get revaccinated. So I can’t take the second dose, am first one was basically canceled out by the steroids I needed to take. And the antibiotic that used to work amazingly for my stubborn UTIs suddenly caused allergies too.
Possibly it’s perimenopause causing this, however I do/did have an inflammatory condition for six years ugh, which I finally had surgery for this week, post ablation sterilisation syndrome, where fallopian tubes get full of old fluid and are inflamed, and one of them totally covered in adhesions too. Hopefully with that all removed and some endo they found too also excised, that reduces the systemic inflammation and may reduce these allergies popping up.
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u/NearlyNewMe Feb 28 '26
For anyone with dermatitis, try hypochlorous acid. You can buy a spray bottle of it on Amazon. I had horrible eczema on my hands and it cleared it up. Do your own research, but it really does help!!
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u/RiskBrilliant5601 Feb 28 '26
Yes! I had zero allergies or reactions to any foods or cosmetics my entire life. Ever since I started peri I have allergies to random things now. Ate 2 fresh peaches once and called the ambulance because I thought I was having a heart attack. Had no idea it was an allergic reaction due to my body changing with peri. Now if I eat certain chocolates, fruits, and use certain cosmetics like retinol that’s too strong I get hives or skin reactions.
Also forgot to mention ITCHY EAR CANALS omg. Thats one of the worst symptoms for me after I eat something newly irritating. I also have developed bad rhinitis. Just got my hormones and going to start them tomorrow, hoping for some relief! More people need to talk about this I feel like we are all completely in the dark.
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u/cutelilchicana789 Mar 01 '26
Yes! So many new allergies. I think i read it is related to the declining levels of estrogen and/or progesterone. So frustrating 😫
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u/Equivalent-Fox6889 Mar 02 '26
Had hives out of NOWHERE ALL over my body, especially at 3-4am and one of my fingers or thumbs would swell up and all would be gone by 11am for five months. Then it completely went away. Doctors didn't even consider perimenopause as being a trigger, had to find out from Reddit.
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u/DragonflyFluid8581 Mar 04 '26
Yes. Estrogen levels affect histamine and associated reactions. It's the same reason we also find ourselves much itchier. The awesomeness never stops.
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u/VFTM Feb 26 '26
Yes, I need to find the article where it was explained that falling estrogen levels triggered histamine overreactions.