u/anti-sugar_dependant

For complicated reasons I've only been able to have a weekly bath for 4 years. Often I've had to skip that bath due to other complicated reasons. But now I have a shower again so I can wash more frequently. I have some patches of dermatitis neglecta that have withstood weekly-ish scrubbing in the bath. Hopefully they'll get better with daily or alternate day scrubbing in the shower.

I noticed after my first shower that my pits still smelled after scrubbing twice with shower gel and exfoliating glove. I scrubbed so hard I matted my pit hair. Anyone know how long it takes to get back to not smelling during the shower? It's a low bar but it's the one I'm aiming for first. Any tips for recovering faster?

I submitted my tribunal appeal on the 4th of June.

The HMCTS site currently says "We’ve told DWP that you’ve appealed against their decision. They should respond before 02 July 2026. We’ll contact you and explain the next steps when they’ve replied."

It's now the 4th of August and advice online is unclear on what to do now. I read somewhere I should email HMCTS? Is there a template email or something available anywhere? I have googled but I'm struggling to find anything concrete.

The only thing I've had from anyone is the paper front covers for any additional hardcopy evidence for the tribunal. Nothing else.

Thank you :)

I'm under some mild stress because I procrastinated a bunch of stuff and now I'm behind, so that's also contributing to me feeling somewhat short on patience, and in general I have historically not liked people who want to talk to me all the time because it makes me feel pressured, and I am actively trying to work on that by making friends but I went too far and now I'm feeling snappy. I need to nicely dial back on the people a little bit and get more alone time. Trouble is I don't know how to do that, it's a skill I haven't learned yet. I've spent my whole life either answering immediately or ghosting people and I know neither are healthy but I don't know how to ask for space in a healthy way. Also one of my friends has rejection sensitivity so I'm super aware it's much easier to hurt their feelings even if I am being super healthy, so I'm worried about that.

Looking for resources, preferably audio/video or blog length if written. Reading long stuff is a challenge. Thank you.

The other day I gave a little demo to a small group on how to fit test and I got a question I couldn't answer: how to fit test if you have MCAS and might react to the fit testing solution?

Given how common MCAS is in Long Covid communities I imagine that's not an uncommon question. Complicating things, the stuff I do is aimed at people who don't have much money, they're often people for whom the cost of a £30 kit needs to be spread out over time, otherwise I'd just say they should try a low amount of the sensitivity solution and see what happens. But that requires spending almost the whole amount (nebuliser, fit test solution to dilute to sensitivity solution).

I'm a huge advocate of fit testing, it's the most protective thing you can do after just masking, so I'd like to have an answer that's workable and affordable for people.

So I find this kind of content really useful for recalibrating what I think is normal in parent/adult child relationships, and I have a friend with shitty parents who isn't estranged who is currently binging Queer Kiwi and would probably appreciate some more similar content.

​

We also listen to "How to be a terrible daughter" podcast (for all genders), which is fairly similar.

​

They all relay stories of abusive parenting and then point out that's not normal or acceptable. Because I normalised everything, figuring out what I'm my past was abuse has been a long process of seeing someone else tell a story, see the reply that that's not cool, and then going "oh, is that not ok? Huh, gotta go back through my life and recalibrate with this new info" and that is a super helpful process for me.

​

Thanks in advance!

Perfectly innocent dogs walking past my house are being stalked and attacked by my cat, Salem. I'm concerned about his safety, because not all dogs are going to run away, and some owners are going to kick to protect their dog.

​

I can't think of anything other than locking him in, which isn't an option. So I'm asking for ideas.

I can buy a box of 20 Handanhy FFP3s from ebay for £13, or from a PPE retailer for £47, both including p&p. The ebay ones aren't in the box, so no date, but I've been ignoring the date on them for years anyway. It's a really good deal but maybe it's too good of a deal?

​

I hate buying disposables because of stuff like this but I've finally run out so I have to order.

We're in the UK.

​

My friend has schizophrenia and their meds have been working well to prevent hallucinations for a couple of years, but the side effects were a problem. So they started new meds a few weeks ago and now they're showing the usual warning signs of an incoming episode, but of course they think they're absolutely fine and I'm the problem because I don't believe their version of reality. It sucks because I get why they feel so defensive but also I care about them and I want to help them get help before everything gets worse and I can't.

​

I called their GP surgery who are managing their meds change and the receptionist took a message that'll hopefully get passed on to their doctor, but obviously they can't even confirm they're a patient there so they can't tell me they'll pass a message on or anything.

​

And my main worry is about their safety and wellbeing but also they're my neighbour and when they're having episodes it's also quite rough on me because they're quite difficult to live next to during this time.

I accidentally submitted my tribunal appeal too early, because I'm an idiot with ADHD and must not have been paying attention. DWP have until the 2nd of July to reply. Would it be a horrible idea to withdraw the appeal now and redo it? I submitted on the 4th of June. What I submitted is just the sort of notes to myself not properly fleshed out stuff. It's fine if they see it but I've got more to add to flesh it out.

​

Am I even allowed to redo an appeal if I withdraw it?

​

Thought I'd better ask before I make things worse.

I called in the middle of last week and they said they'd look for parts and get back to me. They haven't got back to me. I called again today and they said they'd chase their parts supplier and get back to me. They haven't called. I don't want to nag but I can't use my car. If they don't want the job I wish they'd tell me that so I can look for someone else. I like this garage and they always do a good job so I'd rather they did it, but I'm disabled and I really need my car.

Update: good news, they called today. They found the part, it'll be here in a couple of days.

The hole has a little blood. He seems fine. The bottom of the tooth is kind of ragged though, which is why I'm worried - has it broken below the gum line? If it has, does he need vet care? Things are super tight at the moment, if he needs a dental I'll have to surrender him so he can get the care he needs. I just need to know what's best for him.

Hi, it looks like you did not include the information we require in the side bar. Having this information is very important for us to be able to give accurate advice. Please copy the points below and edit your post to include the answers:

• Species: cat
• Age: 11
• Sex/Neuter status: male, neutered
• Breed: domestic shorthair
• Body weight: 4kg
• History: I don't remember anything tooth related. He's got a scarred eye from cat flu as a kitten, and general anxiety.
• Duration: since about 1pm UK time today
• Your general location: UK

I might be really late to the game with this realisation but I think I figured something out today. I think wearing a mask makes most people feel unsafe, even though it's making them safer in reality, and they'd rather be unsafe than feel unsafe.

I think that's why they say things like they don't want to live in fear, or they don't want to life life behind a mask. They feel afraid when they mask. Maybe it reminds them there's something to be scared of?