Rash

My daughter has a rash all over her belly and back.  It's not painful, doesn't itch and isn't bothering her in any way-just the end of a virus.  But- I feel so bad for her because I think she might be cursed with my skin.....and my bizarre skin rashes.

Let me explain (and properly disgust all):  I get rashes.  Not every day, not from food, not from weather, not from anything in particular....I just get rashes.  And- I'm extremely pale skinned....I glow in the dark.  So- when I get a rash....it's obvious.  The only thing that I can pinpoint is that I get them when I get outrageously stressed out.

Years ago, I got a full body (and I mean full body) rash when I was moving apartments in NYC.  For some reason, I was a wreck.  I looked like a freak show until the day after the move-- then I woke up with Heidi Klum skin.  So weird.  I'm allergic to something that is used in face products but have never been able to find out what ingredient it is.  Right after giving birth to my daughter, I just wanted to feel pretty.  I bought a little tube of under eye cream at Sephora and lathered it on.  Three hours later, I looked like someone had burned me with a cigarette under both eyes-- my skin became inflamed, puffy and bright red.  So much for feeling beautiful after childbirth.  Nine months later, we took a family trip to Aruba and I was treated to a surprise spa morning.  I got a facial......and promptly had an allergic reaction.  My eyes exploded- they were red and puffy and I looked like a giant mosquito.  I couldn't wear contacts so I was sporting glasses poolside, loaded up with Benadryl and Margaritas-- I'm lucky I didn't get arrested.  I could go on and on with little gems like these.

But-- the one that takes the cake is my honeymoon rash.  Thankfully, by the grace of God, Allah, Buddha, whatever, I didn't get a rash on my wedding day.  I looked fabulous!  The rash descended the day our honeymoon started.  We were in Paris, late May, and they were experiencing a bizarre heat wave.  Our suitcases were packed with sweaters, coats and long pants and it was over 105 every single day we were there.  The first day there, we made a dash for the nearest Gap and bought out the store.  So- I was sightseeing and sweating and rubbing my arms on my sides all day long in the some of the worst heat I've ever dealt with.  By the end of day two, the underside of my arms and sides (most prominently my arm pits) were completely red, swollen and TOTALLY COVERED in painful, hideous bumps....or welts - to be more accurate.  We would get back to our hotel at the end of seeing the Eiffel Tower and Napoleon's tomb and I would lay on the bed while my lovely new husband would cover my arms and sides with ice cold wash cloths.....over and over.  Totally romantic right?!?!  Just writing about this makes me cringe in pain because I still remember the agony of it all.

Somehow- we are still married and it is a bit of a joke now.  At least we know when I'm overwhelmed and need a 'Christina' break.  So- if you see me and I look like I have chicken pox, I suggest you steer clear.....cause I'm about to blow!