Products

A list of products I find useful.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome:

• I couldn’t manage pain-wise without my TENS machine.  I use a TPNex, but they all do basically the same job, just in different ways.
• Please see my Splints & Braces blog post for the back and hand supports I use regularly.
• My teeth and gums are fragile and using an electric toothbrush made things much worse.  I can recommend the Sensodyne Precision soft manual toothbrush for anyone with sensitive teeth and receding gums, plus an alcohol-free mouthwash.

Mast Cell Disease:

• The Green People ‘Itch Away’ shampoo.  I’d tried everything for my itchy scalp, including steroid liquid off the doctor, but nothing helped until I found this.  Green People products are excellent in general, being chemical-free and organic.  I particularly like their Gentle Cleanse make-up remover.
• All my life I’ve been plagued with cold sores.  In 2006 I went through a dreadful patch, with up to 9 cold sores at a time forming a huge circle on my chin – I looked like I’d been in a car crash!  I tried everything from the doctor and nothing worked until I found Liquorice lip balm from the Skin Shop.  A component of liquorice called glycyrrhizin has been shown to inhibit the herpes virus.  I’ve used this balm 3 or 4 times a day ever since and have only had 3 tiny cold stores in the past 7 years.  It’s 100% natural and a pot lasts ages.
• I get hayfever and prefer to use non-drug methods of prevention wherever possible.  HayMax Hay Fever balm is a natural, organic gel which you smear round the the inside of your nostrils.  It traps pollen before it has chance to enter your respiratory system.  I find it quite effective and I definitely know when I’ve forgotten to use it and go walking anywhere near woodland.  Widely available – I get mine from Boots.
• I get bitten alive by insects every summer and because I live surrounded by woodland am paranoid about ticks.  Due to my chemical reactions I don’t want to use a pesticide based insect spray, so can highly recommend Incognito which is 100% natural and chemical free.  Available online, from Holland & Barret or selected Waitrose stores.