Low blood pressure ,Clinique soap, and rude people

[Guest guest]

Dear Deryk:

I'm a runner and my blood pressure is low: about 90/58. At the end of

a run, I'm so red that neighbors think I'm having a stroke (I've

never even had the beginning signs of heat exhaustion; I always feel

perfectly fine after a run, except for an uncomfortably hot face.)

My face can go from normal to beet red in a matter of seconds,

though. The last time this happened was when I used the brand new bar

of Clinique soap my sister gave me. My mother was visiting me at the

time, and when I walked out of the bathroom after washing my face, my

mom screamed, " OH--MY--GOD, what did you do to your face? " It took a

long time for the flush to subside, leaving constellations of papules

and pustules across my nose and cheeks. A lovely time was had by all.

By the way, do any of you ever have a complete stranger say to

you, " Your face is really red " in a casual conversational tone that

suggests you should answer, " Why, thank you very much. I'll take that

into consideration. " When this happens to me, I've taken to looking

them square in the eye and replying, in clear ringing tones (for

benefit of inevitable eavesdroppers), " I have a skin disease called

cea. There is no cure. " This has the desired effect of taking

them aback and rendering them speechless. Few people in NC have heard

of cea, and I've come to the conclusion that it sounds tragic and

fatal.

Jillian