• Replies 5 replies
  • Subscribers 6 subscribers
  • Views 1313 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Sensory issues with skin feeling oily or "dirty" constantly

NAS96163

Hi

I was diagnosed with ADHD and Autism at 20. I have always had issues with feeling like i need to wash my hands and face alot and iv always managed to cope with this. However since coming off of the contraceptive pill i have noticed it become alot more frequent and its not just my hands and face its my full body. I feel like i constantly have a film over my skin and it causes me alot of discomfort and stress. The best way to describe the feeling is like having suncream on over my full body thats been on all day so its sweaty, i know its a weird description but its the best way i can describe the feeling.

Does anyone else struggle with this or similar to this? Please let me know ways you help this.

  • This is exactly what I experience.  My hands constantly feel like they need to be washed. I can't go to bed at night without a shower, even if I took one in the afternoon,  because of the "film". It feels like my skin can't breathe, and I can't sleep unless I wash right before I get in the bed. I change my sheets every 3 to 4 days because I can't sleep if the sheets have wrinkles or are not completely smooth and straight.  The wrinkles will sometimes feel like little sticks when I move my leg over them. The sleep struggle is real.

  • Are you experiencing any other symptoms like feeling hot or shaky? It may be worth speaking to your GP as stopping the contraceptive pill especially after a long period of time can cause hormones to be a bit out of balance and they might be able to advise/help.
    I wear a lot of flannel type material, or sportswear/activewear material might also help to ‘wick the moisture’ away from your skin and help you feel a bit drier. Changing your body wash/shampoo/conditioner and the material your bedsheets are made out of could also help.

  • For some reason, this reminds me of something about pregnant women's skin, that it has a tendency to "glow," called "pregnancy  glow." I'm not saying that you're pregnant. It's just that the hormones in a pregnant women's body can cause skin to become greasier, giving off a glow, but I surmise that coming off contraceptive pills and changing your hormone levels might also cause a similar effect on skin. Perhaps it'll take time for your body to adjust and rebalance itself to the change in hormone levels. 

  • Try using a face wash with salicylic acid. I give that helps. I don't see any reason you couldn't use it on your body too.

  • Hi, not quite to the degree you are describing. For me I need to shower at least twice a day as I feel grubby. I'm very conscious of body odour, my own and the other people who seem ignorant to the existence of soap and deodorant.

    Clean clothes are essential, even food smells on clothes makes me feel grubby.