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Could This Be Caused By Gluten?

JennaQ

By JennaQ
in Dermatitis Herpetiformis

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JennaQ Rookie
JennaQ
Posted

I've recently made the decision to start going gluten-free after realizing that I am most likely very gluten sensitive and that my fibromyalgia could be a possible misdiagnosis.

 

Anyway, about three years ago, inexplicably, I started to get a rash under my armpits. At first I thought it was ringworm - it certainly looked like it (but it was just how it was positioned). It was terribly itchy and red and as I scratched it I would make tiny cuts in the irritiated skin - leading to a cycle of more irritated skin and itchiness, etc.

 

I went to the dermatologist and she said it was just contact dermatitis, and to just switch my deodorant to a fragrance-free one, as well as soap, and it should heal up. It kind of did, to the point where it definitely isn't as red or as itchy as it used to be - my armpits just look like normal armpits.

 

But whenever I put on deodorant (I try to use Tom's Natural Fragrance-Free) my skin will still be irritated and itchy, but it won't get red. Or if I shave my armpits, even if I use a boatload of hot water and fragrance-free soap and a nice razor.

 

As a result, I try to not use deodorant unless I'm leaving the house, and I don't shave my armpits everytime I am in the shower (thank god for fair hair).

 

But could this random irritation that has come on be a cause of gluten sensitivity? I know it can cause rashes, so I assume it could cause random skin irritations like this.

 

Thanks~

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kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

I've recently made the decision to start going gluten-free after realizing that I am most likely very gluten sensitive and that my fibromyalgia could be a possible misdiagnosis.

 

Anyway, about three years ago, inexplicably, I started to get a rash under my armpits. At first I thought it was ringworm - it certainly looked like it (but it was just how it was positioned). It was terribly itchy and red and as I scratched it I would make tiny cuts in the irritiated skin - leading to a cycle of more irritated skin and itchiness, etc.

 

I went to the dermatologist and she said it was just contact dermatitis, and to just switch my deodorant to a fragrance-free one, as well as soap, and it should heal up. It kind of did, to the point where it definitely isn't as red or as itchy as it used to be - my armpits just look like normal armpits.

 

But whenever I put on deodorant (I try to use Tom's Natural Fragrance-Free) my skin will still be irritated and itchy, but it won't get red. Or if I shave my armpits, even if I use a boatload of hot water and fragrance-free soap and a nice razor.

 

As a result, I try to not use deodorant unless I'm leaving the house, and I don't shave my armpits everytime I am in the shower (thank god for fair hair).

 

But could this random irritation that has come on be a cause of gluten sensitivity? I know it can cause rashes, so I assume it could cause random skin irritations like this.

 

Thanks~

 

 DH is a skin manifestation of Celiac.  You don't get it if you don't have Celiac.  

 

It sounds like you know what causes this rash or irritation - deodorant and shaving. It isn't happening in other places when you eat gluten.  In fact, you aren't linking it to gluten at all.  Try a different active ingredient in a  deodorant? Maybe switch to a mineral/crystal deodorant?  

LauraTX Rising Star
LauraTX
Posted

My husband gets terrible looking armpits with the wrong deoderant.  It also looks like a big ring.  I think it manifests that way because that is the part that naturally is rubbing on each other when you move your arms, so it exacerbates it.  Sometimes it isn't the fragrance, it could be another ingredient.  That plus the constant friction can equal a long term problem.  

 

Like kareng said, you have not given anything that would indicate to me it is caused by gluten.  DH could probably manifest on armpits, but I don't think that is what you have.  However, if you feel better not eating gluten, continue to do that and listen to your body.  But like they were telling you in the other thread, do find yourself a doctor and get medically evaluated as soon as you can.

squirmingitch Veteran
squirmingitch
Posted

I agree with what the others said.

bartfull Rising Star
bartfull
Posted

Believe it or not, Milk of Magnesia makes a GREAT deodorant. COMPLETELY kills any odor and is very mild on the skin. I keep a bottle with just a tiny pin hole in the foil seal, and I put it on an old powderpuff to apply. It takes a few minutes to dry, but it's worth it not to be putting aluminium and other nasty chemicals on my skin.

  • 1 month later...
amandalesswheat Newbie
amandalesswheat
Posted

My arm pits get red from a Toms DO also. But I dont think its related to Celiac because they say their dos are gluten free (http://www.tomsofmaine.com/products/overlay/Not-In-Our-Products) and the same redness happens when I made my own do with too much baking soda. 

  • 3 months later...
Helifixer67 Newbie
Helifixer67
Posted

Yes it could. I had a rash in my pits for a good 10 years before concluding that I have DH.

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kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

Yes it could. I had a rash in my pits for a good 10 years before concluding that I have DH.

 

You had that biopsied and it came back DH?

LauraTX Rising Star
LauraTX
Posted

My arm pits get red from a Toms DO also. But I dont think its related to Celiac because they say their dos are gluten free (http://www.tomsofmaine.com/products/overlay/Not-In-Our-Products) and the same redness happens when I made my own do with too much baking soda. 

 

A huge amount of people react to things in body care products such as deodorant, and that is not celiac related.  People with Celiac do not react to gluten in body products- that would be a seperate allergy and is extremely rare.  Generally, Celiacs avoid gluten in products that could get in their mouth only.

 

Yes it could. I had a rash in my pits for a good 10 years before concluding that I have DH.

 

Hopefully you have seen a doctor and have not come to this conclusion yourself.  You need to have a biopsy done to be for certain.

 

JennaQ, it sounds like you are reacting to something in the products and your armpit skin issues are not related to gluten.  Keep trying different products, and remember that even if something says all natural, hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, etc... it can still cause skin irritation and reactions if you are prone to it.

Not crazy Rookie
Not crazy
Posted

Fibromyalgia is a very good reason to try going gluten free. But you need to be tested for celiac first. Make sure they run all the tests. If you improve on a gluten free diet it will be really hard to go back on it to be tested. I was told I had fibromyalgia and all those symptoms pretty much went away when I went gluten free. I have minor issues here and there but they really flare when I get glutened.

I refused to accept fibromyalgia as a diagnosis from my doctor. I feel that it is a name given to a group of symptoms that a doctor couldn't (or was to lazy to) figure out the cause. My gastroenterologist agreed with me, but you should of seen the look on his face when I told him I felt giving someone a diagnosis was IBS was basically the same.

nvsmom Community Regular
nvsmom
Posted

I refused to accept fibromyalgia as a diagnosis from my doctor. I feel that it is a name given to a group of symptoms that a doctor couldn't (or was to lazy to) figure out the cause. My gastroenterologist agreed with me, but you should of seen the look on his face when I told him I felt giving someone a diagnosis was IBS was basically the same.

 

LOL  :lol:

  • 3 years later...
Guest anonymous4698873
Guest anonymous4698873
Posted
On 12/6/2013 at 1:18 AM, JennaQ said:

I've recently made the decision to start going gluten-free after realizing that I am most likely very gluten sensitive and that my fibromyalgia could be a possible misdiagnosis.

 

Anyway, about three years ago, inexplicably, I started to get a rash under my armpits. At first I thought it was ringworm - it certainly looked like it (but it was just how it was positioned). It was terribly itchy and red and as I scratched it I would make tiny cuts in the irritiated skin - leading to a cycle of more irritated skin and itchiness, etc.

 

I went to the dermatologist and she said it was just contact dermatitis, and to just switch my deodorant to a fragrance-free one, as well as soap, and it should heal up. It kind of did, to the point where it definitely isn't as red or as itchy as it used to be - my armpits just look like normal armpits.

 

But whenever I put on deodorant (I try to use Tom's Natural Fragrance-Free) my skin will still be irritated and itchy, but it won't get red. Or if I shave my armpits, even if I use a boatload of hot water and fragrance-free soap and a nice razor.

 

As a result, I try to not use deodorant unless I'm leaving the house, and I don't shave my armpits everytime I am in the shower (thank god for fair hair).

 

But could this random irritation that has come on be a cause of gluten sensitivity? I know it can cause rashes, so I assume it could cause random skin irritations like this.

 

Thanks~

If I was you, I would stop shaving my armpits. It's completely unnecessary for only women to shave our legs and armpits. An old woman came in to where I worked looking for Nair because she kept cutting her fragile, old skin shaving. Her doctor told her to use Nair instead of telling her to stop mutilating herself for no reason. There's hair there for a reason....

squirmingitch Veteran
squirmingitch
Posted

You are replying to a post from 2013. That person hasn't been here in a long time.

Guest anonymous4698873
Guest anonymous4698873
Posted

What's your point? I get e-mail notifications when someone comments. Also, forums are public so people looking for similar things can see the responses too.

squirmingitch Veteran
squirmingitch
Posted

Don't get offended, no one is honking on you. It was just a reminder that this was a very old thread & if you expected the poster to be around reading & responding, it probably won't happen.

Guest anonymous4698873
Guest anonymous4698873
Posted
2 minutes ago, squirmingitch said:

Don't get offended, no one is honking on you. It was just a reminder that this was a very old thread & if you expected the poster to be around reading & responding, it probably won't happen.

I wasn't offended. I genuinely wanted to know what your point was. I'm sorry if you took that the wrong way! No, I don't care if she sees it or not. Only time will tell if she does. I really did not put so much thought into it until now. It will not affect my life at all if I get a response or not, but I responded with my input. At the least, other people searching for the same thing will see my response.

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