Mouth Ulcers?

[taweavmo3]

I was wondering if anyone here also gets frequent mouth ulcers? My 6 year old has been getting these quite frequently lately, and they are very painful for him. The only other questionable thing he has is a persistant rash on both of his knees and elbows. Doctors have been telling me the rash is eczema or psoriasis, but it's odd how the rash is symmetrical.

Now with these mouth ulcers popping up (inside, not out), I'm wondering if this is another possible sign of celiac disease?? I have one dd with celiac, but haven't had my other two tested just yet. Can't find a ped who believes in celiac screening of first degree relatives, they just want to wait until the kids are actually sick. Really chaps my hide.

[redheadheather]

I've heard mouth ulcers can be a symptom of celiac disease... [the nutritionist we saw w/our DS said that]. My DS (also 6) had them very frequently previously - and since being gluten-free they are gone. Could the rash be dermatitis herpaterformis? You could have your doctor check. If it is then you'd know it was from celiac disease.

Good luck!

[Jnkmnky]

lysine is supposed to be good in preventing recurring canker sores.

[ianm]

I used to get mouth ulcers frequently but haven't had one since I went gluten-free.

[jenvan]

mouth ulcers often accompany those with an autoimmune disease like celiac. i second jnkmnky's rec for lysine. swishing with salt water can help sometimes too. with one kid with one celiac disease--i would definitely ck out the other, since he has other signs. what is the rash like? it could be dh or psoriasis--but either way, both can accompany celiac. don't worry if the doctors want to wait--you can always insist or find another!

[Kasey'sMom]

My dd and I both get mouth ulcers. I've had them for years but my dd is 3 and started getting them a few months ago.

I find that it really hurts to brush my teeth when I have a sore. I started using toothpastes without Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and it's really helped the occurance of sores. SLS can be irritating to the lining of the gums and mouth for those of us who have sensitive mouths.

[taweavmo3]

His rash looks like eczema, and not really like the pictures I've seen of DH. The ped said he thinks it's mostly likely psoriasis, since it's on the outside of his knees and elbows. It doesn't have any raised bumps at all.....it's just red, itchy skin with some white spots. Does dh start out looking like eczema at first and progressively get worse? Maybe it's time I get him to a derm., we've tried different creams for over two years, and it's just not getting better. The poor bug scratched so much yesterday, his knees were bleeding.

[Guest BellyTimber]

Apparently the word sprue was from the Dutch where it meant blisters in the mouth ...

[skoki-mom]

Being prone to cancre sores is one of the very few symptoms I actually have. I never thought of them as a problem, but I would definitely break out 2-3 times a year. I guess I just thought everyone got them??? I haven't had any since going gluten-free, but it's only been about 6 weeks. It will be interesting for me to see if I still get them. I often get 2-3 sores at a time, they have been a bit annoying but not really painful for me.

[Claire]

him to a derm., we've tried different creams for over two years, and it's just not getting better.  The poor bug scratched so much yesterday, his knees were bleeding.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The areas of the body affected definitely suggests dh. I have a friend whose husband has had this condition for many years so I saw it in the beginning. In his case it was not classic - no knees or elbows/ It started mildy and got worse - much worse. He has dozens of celiac symptoms but is not diagnosed - long sad story.

There is a test for dh. Try a recommended dermatologist and insist of the dh test. It is your money and your child so don't be disauaded. If he has dh that in itself if a celiac diagnosis. Claire

[zebrajeb]

His rash looks like eczema, and not really like the pictures I've seen of DH. The ped said he thinks it's mostly likely psoriasis, since it's on the outside of his knees and elbows.  It doesn't have any raised bumps at all.....it's just red, itchy skin with some white spots.  Does dh start out looking like eczema at first and progressively get worse?  Maybe it's time I get him to a derm., we've tried different creams for over two years, and it's just not getting better.  The poor bug scratched so much yesterday, his knees were bleeding.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As Claire noted - sounds like DH. Mine was very similar - especially on the knees and elbows. Also around jaw line and cankers in mouth. After trying all kinds of prescription creams from doctor, went to dermatologist. Got lucky, he was very familiar with DH. Took tissue samples and sent to lab which confirmed.

This had been going on for several years before I finally got it diagnosed and treated. Use to wake up at night dripping blood from scratching so hard! Could not wear long sleeve shirts or shorts. Besides gluten free diet, doctor gave me dapsone which helped eliminate the itching.

Been 2 years now and life is much better. Will note I didn't think I had any GI problems out of the normal until I went gluten-free. If I get any gluten, I know know I had GI problems before but didn't think I did.

John

[sickboy]

Hi there - I've yet to be diagnosed but have many celiac like symptoms and am currently awaiting biopsy results. When I saw the doctor before my biopsies - one of the questions he asked was "do I have frequent mouth ulcers?". Apparently this is a common symptom of undiagnosed celiac disease.