Hi Lori,

  I don't know whether the mascara was a problem or not, but your lunch was probably the major cause of your flare.  Tuna is one of the top ten foods that contain large amounts of histamine, and that's fresh and canned.  Shellfish is not recommended for mast cell patients either.

  If you haven't already seen it, do look at the low histamine diet.  (google "low histamine diet ICUS").  If you stick to it, you might feel better more consistently.  I don't mean that to sound like I'm wagging a finger at you.  I have my own weaknesses and things I eat that I should avoid.  (Ahhh, that demon named chocolate!)

  I have no problems with Almay mascara, and have used Clinique make-up without problems for years.  I think it's probably very individual which brand each of us can tolerate.  However, be sure to try them when you're not exposed to other triggers.  What you bought might turn out to be fine.

Hi Lori,

  Almay is carried at Walgreens and I think also at Walmart and other stores that might be closer than a mall.  I can't imagine giving up mascara!

  Hope you find something that works for you, and hope the diet helps, too.  I've found that I can eat fresh salmon (or frozen).  I stay away from canned, though.  Salmon is less likely to produce histamine than other fish.  I try to use wild caught, because the farm raised has color added.  It works in most fish recipes.  I can also eat freshly caught trout, if it's cleaned immediately and cooked or frozen within an hour or so of catching.  As with any meat, leftovers are a no-no, unless they were frozen within a couple of hours after cooking.

  Once your symptoms are under control, you might find that you can have a taste of some of the forbidden foods when your triggers are low.  I can eat some chocolate or  have a small glass of wine, when my symptoms are really well controlled and I'm feeling good.

Thanks again;
And yep Deb- learning the hard way to be more vigilant!
What is MAC makeup ? I've never heard of that brand...
Thanks,
lori