💪 The Hairy Chin Newsletter #9

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Hello and Happy Monday to everyone!

Welcome back to The Hairy Chin, where we talk, share, and educate about all things women’s health and wellness - yes, including those wiry chin hairs that pop up at the most unwelcome times. 🤷‍♀️

Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s entry:

• Your Advocacy Toolkit: Learning When and How To Say ‘NO’

• Body Talk 101: Hitchhiker’s Thumb & Hypermobility

• Health Truths: The Dangers of Not Washing New Clothes

• Told By Her: Singer-Songwriter Sia & Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

• On The Podcast: Charlotte Bayala of The Cancer Caregiving Podcast

Let’s learn together! 💪

Spencer Moore
Founder, The Hairy Chin
(Listen to The Hairy Chin Podcast)
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Saying “no” can be uncomfortable - especially when you’re half-naked in a flimsy paper gown, freezing your butt off under fluorescent lighting. In those moments, trying to make a decision about your body, your health and your future can feel like a pop quiz you didn’t study for. (Surprise! It’s about your uterus!)

But here’s the reality: learning when and how to say “no” - whether you’re in a medical setting or just trying to survive a group chat - isn’t just okay, it’s self advocacy in action. 💪 

Here at The Hairy Chin, we love our doctors. We’re not anti-medicine or anti-science, if anything, we’re anti-being dismissed. But even the best doctor isn’t living in your body. You are. You’re the one who wakes up in it every morning and goes to sleep in it every night.

And here’s another reality: saying “no” doesn’t mean you’re throwing your chats up in the air, storming out in your socks (and drafty paper dress) and slamming the door shut. Sometimes it just means hitting the pause button - asking for more time, more info, or waiting until your gut catches up with the decision your brain is still chewing on.

You can trust your doctor and trust yourself. Both things can be true at once. 

Here are some ways to advocate if you want to decline treatment:

• Explain Your Reasoning: “I’m not comfortable with this treatment because…”

• Ask for Time: “I’d like to consider my options before moving forward.”

• Suggest Alternatives: “Can we explore a less invasive approach?”

• Follow Your Instincts: Trust your body’s signals. It’s okay to say no when something feels wrong.

• Document Your Decision: Keep a record of the conversation for future reference.

The Bottom Line: Saying no can be a form of self-care. Trust yourself.

Here’s something weird and kind of fascinating: give a thumbs-up. Now look at your thumb. Is it standing tall like a soldier or dramatically flopping backward like it’s trying to hitch a ride?

That bendy backward thumb is called hitchhiker’s thumb, or more formally, distal hyperextensibility. This means your thumb joint is so flexible it can bend backward beyond the usual range - sometimes up to 90 degrees. And while it might seem like a random party trick or just “how your hand works,” it can actually be a subtle sign of something bigger: joint hypermobility. (Image Source: Cleveland Clinic 2022)

Hitchhiker’s thumb is often inherited, passed down from your parents like your eye color or love for dad jokes. But here's where it gets interesting: this thumb bendiness can be associated with like joint hypermobility syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), which we'll chat more about when we discuss singer Sia's experience.

For most people, hitchhiker’s thumb is harmless. A quirk of genetics. A cool flex (literally). But for some, it’s one of many signs that their connective tissue might be more flexible or unstable than average.

So take this as a gentle nudge to get curious. If you’ve got a hitchhiker’s thumb and you’re dealing with things like frequent joint pain, fatigue, or weird injuries that don’t quite add up - perhaps start documenting your symptoms. (And read more about it here, at the Cleveland Clinic.)

Your body’s always talking to you, keep listening! 💪

We all love the thrill of new clothes, be it a thrifted gem or a fresh-off-the-rack find. But before you slip into that new outfit, here's a truth bomb: washing new clothes before wearing them isn't just a good habit, it's a health necessity.

New garments often come treated with a cocktail of chemicals to keep them looking fresh during shipping and display. These can include formaldehyde-based resins to prevent wrinkles and mildew, as well as dyes and finishing agents that can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Even natural fibers aren't exempt; they can be treated with chemicals to enhance texture and reduce wrinkles.

And here’s the really gross part. Beyond chemicals, new clothes can harbor germs. From the manufacturing process to the fitting room, garments are handled by multiple people, increasing the risk of contamination. Studies have found that new clothing can contain bacteria like staph, norovirus, and even traces of fecal matter. 

Yes, that’s correct, I said fecal matter! 🤯 (You can read more about that in the Teen Vogue article, “Scientists Say Unwashed New Clothing Could Contain Fecal Material”)

And here’s what might really cement that first wash for you. Consider the case of TikToker Jam Press in Indonesia, who developed Molluscum Contagiosum - a viral skin infection - after wearing unwashed thrifted clothes. (Image Source: TikTok @onenevertwoo_one)

This virus belongs to the poxvirus family and is quite common in the United States, affecting about six million Americans annually, usually children between 1 and 14 years old. You can read his story at The Daily Mail, “Man Contracts Horrific Skin Disease After Common Shopping Mistake.” 

While such cases are rare, they highlight the potential risks of skipping that initial wash.

Here Are Some Best Practices for Washing New Clothes:

• Read the Care Label: Always follow the manufacturer's instructions to maintain the integrity of the fabric.

• Use Gentle Detergents: Opt for fragrance-free and dye-free detergents to minimize skin irritation.

• Wash Separately: Especially for brightly colored items, to prevent dye transfer.

• Consider a Second Wash: For items that will be in close contact with your skin, like underwear or bed linens, a second wash can help remove residual chemicals.

• Use Hot Water: It is recommended to wash newly purchased second-hand clothes with detergent at a temperature of 60 degree Celcius.

Remember, taking the time to wash your new clothes isn't just about cleanliness, it's a simple step to protect your skin and overall health.

Earlier, we touched on hitchhiker’s thumb and how hypermobility can be more than just a quirky trait. Now, let's delve deeper into what that could signify.

In 2019, singer-songwriter Sia publicly shared that she has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a group of connective tissue disorders that can cause joint hypermobility, chronic pain, and fatigue.

She tweeted in her X account (@Sia): "I'm suffering with chronic pain, a neurological disease, Ehlers-Danlos... I just wanted to say to those of you suffering from pain, whether physical or emotional, I love you, keep going.”

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a group of inherited connective tissue disorders affecting the body's collagen production. Collagen is crucial for providing strength and elasticity to skin, joints, blood vessels, and organs. When collagen is faulty or insufficient, it can lead to symptoms like joint hypermobility, skin that stretches more than usual, and fragile tissues.

Many individuals with EDS face years of misdiagnoses or dismissal of their symptoms. This has led to a growing community of patients turning into advocates and researchers, striving to raise awareness and drive scientific understanding of the condition.

For more info you can read the following articles from StatNews and CNN:

• “Revenge of the Gaslight Patients: Now As Scientists, They’re Tackling Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome” 

• “Millions Have the Same ‘Bendy Body’ Disease As My Daughter. Why Isn’t the Medical Profession Paying More Attention?”

Recognizing the signs of EDS is crucial. Early diagnosis can lead to better management strategies, including physical therapy, pain management, and lifestyle adjustments to prevent joint injuries. 💛

On this week’s episode of The Hairy Chin Podcast, we welcome Charlotte Bayala of The Cancer Caregiver Podcast. Charlotte shares her experience and expertise in caregiving, giving us valuable insight into caregiver burnout, handling resentment, asking for help and reclaiming moments of joy while caring for loved ones. It’s a really honest episode about taking care of others and ourselves. 💛

🎙️ Catch the episode this Wednesday at 9 AM EST on all major podcast platforms - including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart and YouTube.

(And please don’t forget to hit subscribe wherever you watch or listen to the podcast - it helps more than you know! Many thanks 💛 )

Ok my amigas, that’s a wrap.

Self-advocacy has never been easier - from To-Do to TA-DA - just like that! 💪

Bravo for being here,
Spencer Moore

_{DISCLAIMER: The information shared here, which can include affiliate links, is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not be treated as such. Always consult with a qualified provider before making any medical decisions, changing your health routine, or starting a new treatment. This content is meant to help you learn about yourself and advocate for your well-being. What you do with this information is entirely up to you.} 💛

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