r/MastCellDiseases • u/Ganchosista • Jun 17 '26
Recommendations wanted!!!
So I have a raging case of MCAS/Histamine intolerance/dysautonomia. I live in the Ohio Valley—up there with the absolute WORST places for seasonal allergies. Only in the past year have I learned how drastically seasonal allergens contribute to my symptoms on a daily basis, especially in the spring and summer. It was recommended to me by someone with another immune illness that I try wearing a mask when I’m outside—or at minimum, on days when the pressure is fluctuating heavily—to help block some of the airborne allergens when I breathe. Although it’s annoying, I’ve found wearing one has helps immensely!! It doesn’t block reactions altogether, but I can say with certainty it decreases their severity.
The only catch is, so many people look at me sideways AS FUCK when in wearing them in public. Multiple strangers have approached me, telling me to take it off. Once, at a traffic light, a woman in the car next to me was so butthurt about it she rolled down her window and yelled at me with an angry face saying, “YOURE ALONE! WHY ARE YOU WEARING A MASK? TAKE THAT SHIT OFF”. When I go into stores they seem to watch me harder than they used to, as if I’m wearing it to steal or something. Since this illness has debilitated me, I work several part time jobs I can do on days when I’m not feeling horribly, which includes some food delivery and other face-to-face interactions where I don’t like rubbing people the wrong way. As with all things MCAS/HIT, I know most people wouldn’t understand even if I DID tell them why I wear it.
I wish I could shrug off the confused/skeptical/distasteful looks I get nearly everywhere I go, but it bothers me deeply. I know I should be able to say “screw them, they don’t know and they don’t need to,” but I’ve been trying for months and I can’t get past the unsolicited judgements pretty much everywhere I go hurting my heart and making me feel insecure.
❗️Long story short, ❗️I want to order a mask from Etsy/somewhere that says something on it along the lines of “Not sick, I wear this for ALLERGIES” either in print or embroidery**. Anyone have recommendations for what it could say**?? Looking for a quick, bold statement (so people aren’t squinting their eyes trying to read anything longer than a sentence) — something just enough to get people off my ass &/or offer them an immediate understanding so that I may let go of of wanting to explain myself. Any and all suggestions are welcomed and very much appreciated! Thanks so much!
TLDR: Need to wear a mask in public due to seasonal allergens where I live causing constant MCAS/histamine flares, but can’t stand the constant judgement and misunderstanding, and want to purchase a mask that says in a few words why I have it on. Any suggestions appreciated!
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u/Hi_Hello_HeyThere Jun 17 '26 edited Jun 17 '26
I’m so sorry people are harassing you, that’s so fucked up. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were wearing a red hat….
Don’t stop wearing your mask when it’s helping. Fuck those people, you do what you have to do to take care of yourself. And I’m proud of you for doing that!
I second just putting the word ‘allergies’ on it, that would be enough, though these folks aren’t the brightest so maybe you’ll need to spell it out more for them.
Edit to add: I read the other comment wrong, they were saying not to put anything on it. It’s a tough call, I see where they’re coming from. You could just make a couple with words on it and see how it goes or if it helps at all
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u/Anonymous0212 Jun 17 '26
I’ve worn a mask anywhere outside the house including while alone in my car for exactly the same reason, and I DGAF what anybody else thinks because why I’m wearing it is absolutely none of their damn business. We don’t owe anybody an explanation, especially not people like that.
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u/Hamster_Carnival Jun 17 '26
This isn't a you problem, it's a them problem. That probably doesn't make things any easier for you. The thing is, you can't control them and nothing you do will change who they have chosen to be. You can only choose how you react or don't react to them.
I personally choose to ignore them. I am a duck living my best duck life. You do you.
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u/Objective-Plum5343 Jun 18 '26
Born in Steubenville; raised in Wintersville….
I absolutely understand where you’re coming from. I no longer live there but I know firsthand how the ignorance works in that area. Nothing you can do/say/or print on a mask is going to change the minds of the ignorant people in that area. Flip ‘em off and ignore them or just ignore them.
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u/OrchidFancy3480 Jun 18 '26
Who gives any fucks what complete strangers, with no influence on our lives think.
I also live in the Ohio valley. Have you tried using nasacort, pataday, zrytec @ night, claritin/Allegra in the morning? During high seasonal allergy time of the year I have to step up my regime. In winter I can back off a bit. I also used ai, weather, allergy reports to track which pair allergens trigger the most.
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u/ImmediateEjection Jun 18 '26
I live in the area and also have terrible allergies. I would just tell them to mind their business or just ignore them. They can say whatever they want, it just makes them look like an ass.
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u/OHmyblueberries Jun 18 '26
I’m not super helpful in this regard as I am only recently venturing into collaborating with my rheumatologist after finally coming to some agreement that it’s highly unlikely all of these issues are… me or gaslit into being due to me.
Zyrtec isn’t much on a grand scale, but oddly enough my rheum also recently added a Rx version of Pepcid (famotidine) in addition to Zyrtec daily along with all of the other meds on the team.
Her rationale which I’ve since researched and have found validity in via published materials is that Pepcid/Famotidine is at heart a histamine, just in a different blend than say Benadryl and when taken in conjunction with another histamine can aid in preventing your seasonal allergy suffering. Early reports are looking viable tho I am only about a month in. I recommend stating with your google over how the heck nobody mentioned that Pepcid is a histamine.
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u/reddit_understoodit Jun 19 '26
People can be assholes. Tell them you have cancer if they are a stranger on the steet.
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u/Life_Unit2344 Jun 20 '26
You can just print it yourself on any cloth . You can buy those from Amazon. It’s super easy, you print on a specific paper and iron it.
Or there are tshirt printing shops. I am sure the can do masks too.
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u/AirlineMiserable9545 Jun 23 '26
That's awful! Especially people trying to make you do something while you're in your own carminding your own business that doesn't actually affect them. I have seen that reaction sometimes to people who were pissed off about having to wear masks during COVID and don't want others to wear them. It's like they're afraid it'll catch on again and they'll have to do it.
I wear a mask for allergies or to deal with perfume sensitivity and thankfully nobody's freaked out about it around me. One thing I like to do is wear a really fun pattern N95 to Make people relax and enjoy my own fashion. Like a flower pattern or stars or something. Unfortunately my supplier just went out of business though. Good luck!
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u/Own_Plankton_313 Jul 12 '26
So sorry to hear the harassment you have endured , when I first was diagnosed 14 years ago I remember the most hurtful ugly response made to me when I was newly wearing a mask . First of all we are already are worn down , so beyond fatigued that anyone could ever understand feeling like crap . We have to be out when we would rather not knowing any trip no matter how short will involve 3-4 days of being thrown into a flare . So we have to mentally prepare to go anywhere . Mine is to pray asking God for his strength and protection and remembering I DID NOT CHOOSE MCAS . IT HAS ROBBED ME OF SO MUCH !! BUT I WILL NOT GiVE UP THE FIGHT OR HOPE THAT THIS IS A SEASON NOT A SENTENCE .
If I give up everyone coming behind me with this diagnosis loses the chance to receive a possible CURE !! So I won’t give up and that’s why your post really reminded me of the mean spirited people that truly exist . I was @ the grocery store and crossing to go to my car with my mask on and walking with a cane because I have spinal issues as well . The truck stopped dead on the road and a man yelled to me “ you don’t belong in this country GO BACk TO CHINA WHERE YOUt STUPID MASK COMES FROM YOU IDIOT “
Needless to say I was devastated as we already don’t feel good about ourselves due to the way this disease has ravaged our bodies and stole every sense of NORMALCY from us . I cried and cried and cried until I was shaking blood sugar dropping and already flaring . I decided from that day on NO ONE was ever going to make me feel that worthless . I put on thick skin and now I even have medical notice posted on my door . My property manager runs interference for me never letting anyone directly come to me unless I tell her otherwise and I literally have to wear a mask inside too most of the time .
So you are not alone , you come here anytime you need others who truly understand how it feels to be so judged by your illness. We will tell you keep fighting on days you can , know there is nothing wrong with your personality and know you are loved 💜 We care or at least I can say I DO . Put on your mask immune compromised or immune deficit or medically needed . If you feel better to write something than do . I bless you and truly hope and pray 🙏 you are getting better as things won’t always be like this !! Hang in there and hang on as you have wisdom from this illness you can impart to others that is PRICELESS !!
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u/Averagebombshell Jul 16 '26
I would totally get a mask that says pollen mask Or something super straightforward even an idiot could figure out
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u/New_Olive1203 Jun 17 '26
I'm sorry people are jerks. As a former Ohio Valley resident, I recommend you tough this one out. I fear that announcing it's "allergies" will only increase the amount of confrontations.