Severe Itching In Young Toddler

[Bluemoments9]

My daughter just turned 2 a week ago.  She was a FTT baby from 6 mos on and it wasn't until we determined last August that she either has a severe gluten allergy or Celiac that she began to slowly gain weight.  The endoscopy and bloodwork we had done at 12mos both came back negative (she also hadn't had very much gluten in her life yet though) but she is DQ8 positive.  Her gluten allergy is so bad that if she gets gluten it triggers severe hypoglycemic episodes which then result in seizures.  We have been strict about keeping her gluten free which then keeps her sugars balanced well.  When we originally took gluten out it made her constant diarrhea stop.  Then it started back up and we realized she had a lactose issue as well - eliminated that and she was fine for a few months.  Then about 2 months ago the diarrhea started back up as well as itching ALL over.  It's as if she's itching from the inside out.  She itches so much that she creates sores all over her head, face & body.  We wondered if it was dairy so we eliminated that too.  Taking the dairy out made the diarrhea stop completely (going on 2.5 weeks now) but the itching has not let up.  We are in the process of scheduling allergy testing.  Is itching like that a symptom of Celiac?  Could it be that her body is becoming more sensitive over time?  Since we originally thought it was a gluten intolerance vs Celiac we have not gone to the extreme of cooking with her own pots, toaster oven, crumbs on the table, gluten in body products or fabrics, etc.  It has never seemed to make a difference.   I'm at a loss & looking for any help or suggestions.  Thanks in advance.     

[1desperateladysaved]

The body can appear to be reacting more forcefully as one recovers.  Many of us have noted that.  I think the body is less overwhelmed  so we can tell when it goes out of whack.

 

I hope you can help the little one's rash.  I would keep getting more stringent watching for more and more products to be gluten free, until the itching subsides.  100 % cotton fabric has been helpful for me.  Separate pots ect. in the kitchen might help deliver  her.  I would work on it.

 

Homemade soap might be helpful in itching relief.  I have heard of rashes clearing up when peppermint soap is used on them.  You can often buy it at craft fairs.  I make it but I do not sell it.  Always check the ingredients many soap makers use wheat germ in their soaps.  Homemade soap could be helpful, but I think getting to what causes it would be the best.

 

You might try asking this under DH, so people that have rash will see it.

[wmramsel]

My daughter (2 1/2 yo) gets 3 different kinds of rash (all itchy) when she has a gluten reaction.  At first it was just DH, then we added eczema (when we added gluten back into her diet at 14months, long story) and a 3rd when she had an extreme gluten reaction after we had been gluten free for 6 months and wanted to get her officially tested.  

 

I make my own laundry detergent that is free and clear, I can't imagine tackling the task of trying to find a gluten-free detergent that didn't kill my budget.  I am on the quest right now to find the *right* gluten-free skin care products for her that won't also break my budget.  My husband is a teacher and I'm currently job searching, so "the budget" is and ever present enemy.  

 

When a pediatrician that I tried for 2 appointments and didn't go back to saw her eczema before we went gluten-free for her diet, he prescribed 2% hydra cortisone cream.  That helps a lot for when she gets glutened accidentally.  And my pediatrician now (whom I LOVE) had us put anti-bacterial ointment on her DH, which seems to help the pain at the very least.  

 

The 3rd rash is very weird, and we haven't really figured out what to do with it other than hycra cortisone for itching.

 

Anyway, we are very new to this as well, but I hope that it helps!  If only to say "we're there too."