Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Trazodone And/or Essential Oils

Melon

By Melon
in Dermatitis Herpetiformis

 Share

Recommended Posts

Melon Apprentice
Melon
Posted

Has anyone who has a DH-like rash been taking Trazodone and/or using essential oils. I had been taking Trazodone for years for sleep (loved it), then I started using essential oils and started getting a DH-like rash. I stopped using essential oils, but the rash continued.

The rash started going away after 5 or so months when I stopped Trazodone. The rash has stopped.

Maybe it all was a drug eruption (as lesion biopsy suggested). But with a family history of Celiac, and the pics of DH matching what I had, I'm wondering if anyone else had a similar rash from Trazodone.

Also wondering if anyone ended up on this site after using essential oils thinking they might have DH, but didn't.

Anyone?

Thanks!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


LauraTX Rising Star
LauraTX
Posted

Are you diagnosed Celiac?  A lot of people with rashes will end up on the forum because their rash looks like a DH picture. Many times it is not DH, since rashes look a lot alike.  However, DH and Celiac diagonses are commonly screwed up by uninformed doctors, so that is important to be cautious of.

 

A lot of those essential oils are not regulated, so you really don't know what is in them.   Some companies may have good quality control, but even then, you can react to them just like any other product.  They can also react with medications, and some of those are not studied enough to have warnings out about them.  If your doctor diagnosed it as a drug eruption, that is very possible, and here are is a link you may find interesting regarding that possible rare side effect of trazodone.

 

http://www.currentpsychiatry.com/home/article/drug-eruptions-6-dangerous-rashes/175546395bd1b6bb943360e719c04083.html

That one is long but hit Ctrl + F and enter trazodone

 

There are other articles I pulled up about trazodone drug eruptions, but it looks like most are from the 80's and not fully available online.

Melon Apprentice
Melon
Posted
  • Author

Thanks, LauraTX. I will read your linked info!

I am not diagnosed celiac. My mom and niece are, though. What puzzles me is that I thought it was the essential oils (in the bath, topically, and diffusing) because the rash started a couple of weeks after I started using them. (Loved them, too ;()

A demalogist thought it was pityriasis rosea and said I didn't need a biopsy, but we did one anyway (of lesions not adjacent skin). Biopsy said arthropod bites, drug erruptions, or hypersensitivity an allergen were the most likely causes.

I ruled out bites and assumed it was a hypersensitive reaction to essential oils. I sold them all and my diffusers, but the rash didn't go away.

I had been taking Trazodone regularly for sleep for four years and didn't think I could suddenly have such a reaction to it. But I am now thinking that was the likely cause.

I was about to get a DH biopsy when I got the bill for the first one. I decided to wait, and the rash seemed to die down when I was home over the holidays and staying up too late with family to take a sleep aid and get up at a reasonable hour!

I had an endoscopy in 2010. No celiac. I do have

Microscopic Colitis, though, that only flares with certain pharmaceuticals and NSAIDS.

Off to read your link and get some unaided sleep.... :)

  • 6 months later...
Melon Apprentice
Melon
Posted
  • Author

As an update, I had a celiac blood test. Negative. And I'm getting similar lesions from other prescription drugs. Not DH. 

squirmingitch Veteran
squirmingitch
Posted

I took Trazodone but only briefly. It upset my tummy & made me nauseous but that was very early on in my gluten-free life & I know my gut was in poor shape so I imagine that was why the Trazodone made me nauseous. At any rate, I did not have any bad reaction to it in any other way. 

At least you now know what's going on. You might have to resort to warm milk & meditation to sleep.

Wishing you the very best but don't forget to get tested around every 2 years or sooner if symptoms present.

  • 10 months later...
Melon Apprentice
Melon
Posted
  • Author

So, I've been off any prescription drugs for a month or more. I'm still getting occasional lesions and times when every scar turns angry red. My new question is could it be related to high triglyceride levels, which I have? 

 

Jmg Mentor
Jmg
Posted
3 hours ago, Melon said:

So, I've been off any prescription drugs for a month or more. I'm still getting occasional lesions and times when every scar turns angry red. My new question is could it be related to high triglyceride levels, which I have? 

 

I know you've tested negative for Celiac, but have you given the gluten free diet a try anyway?  I tested negative, but my skin improved markedly once gluten-free. The other big dietary influence on skin for me at least is dairy. Keeping a food diary and excluding those may help you exclude them as factors?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


  • 1 year later...
Lorjenn22 Apprentice
Lorjenn22
Posted

Yes it may be the trazadone. Medications can hv gluton in them. Its funny you say that bc i was just diagnosed celiacs. But I have sleep issues prior and I took trazadone. I remember getting rashes, I couldn't say for sure that it was at the same time but probably was given your description and both things occured along time ago! 

Victoria1234 Experienced
Victoria1234
Posted

I take trazadone and don't have any rashes. I had horrible DH years ago, way before I started taking T. 

  • 1 month later...
Melon Apprentice
Melon
Posted
  • Author

Hi, All,

My GP still insists i’m being bitten. SMH. I got another one who said my lesions look like an atypical psoriasis. So, I did some googling. Seeing a new dermatologist on Monday. I think this could be my problem: guttate psoriasis. https://www.everydayhealth.com/psoriasis/living-with/understanding-guttate-psoriasis/

Wish me luck. It’s only been three+ years!

  • 1 year later...
Jenna1028 Apprentice
Jenna1028
Posted

Since I found this topic through a google search, I feel the need to respond - even though this post is old, and my response may go unseen - it might help someone else doing a search. 

Through my research of DH, I've learned that only 20% test positive for celiac through a biopsy. Some people have had to undergo an intestinal biopsy - and even that can show as negative. 

The best, and only way to know for sure is through genetic testing. 

I'm celiac and started showing symptoms at 31, and now at 45, through genetic testing, I finally have the results I always knew existed. I used 23andme - but you could use whatever service, as long as they run this test, you will know for certain. 

Celiac is relatively new, and many doctors just don't know what to look for. Additionally, with so many presenting symptoms, and unreliable testing, it's hard for patients to know the truth. And given all the other issues and diseases/risk factors - patients really need to know right away. 

Hope this helps!

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted
53 minutes ago, Jenna1028 said:

Since I found this topic through a google search, I feel the need to respond - even though this post is old, and my response may go unseen - it might help someone else doing a search. 

Through my research of DH, I've learned that only 20% test positive for celiac through a biopsy. Some people have had to undergo an intestinal biopsy - and even that can show as negative. 

The best, and only way to know for sure is through genetic testing. 

I'm celiac and started showing symptoms at 31, and now at 45, through genetic testing, I finally have the results I always knew existed. I used 23andme - but you could use whatever service, as long as they run this test, you will know for certain. 

Celiac is relatively new, and many doctors just don't know what to look for. Additionally, with so many presenting symptoms, and unreliable testing, it's hard for patients to know the truth. And given all the other issues and diseases/risk factors - patients really need to know right away. 

Hope this helps!

The problem with diagnosing Celiac by genetics only is - about 30% of people have the gene but only about 1% of people have Celiac.  They can biopsy next to the blister and diagnose DH that way.  

Jenna1028 Apprentice
Jenna1028
Posted
4 hours ago, kareng said:

The problem with diagnosing Celiac by genetics only is - about 30% of people have the gene but only about 1% of people have Celiac.  They can biopsy next to the blister and diagnose DH that way.  

That's really good to know, too! Thank you for sharing!

  • 2 weeks later...
No more doughnuts Rookie
No more doughnuts
Posted

Hi there...I have DH and Celiac disease...for over 15 years now.  As we know, Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease.

I was on a very strict gluten free diet but kept getting setbacks, (rash, muscular pain, joint pain, migraines, loss of balance).

Keep in mind now, gluten is one type of LECTIN.  So, I went on a LECTIN free diet and within weeks all symptoms gone!!!  No nightshade vegetables, no beans or legumes, (no peanuts or cashews as they are legumes), no corn, no rice....these are grains...they have lectins.  All these cause inflammation for those of us with an autoimmune disease.  Make sure you look up lectin free diets...!

Yes, it is a very hard diet to follow, however, if you want to stop your inflammation setbacks, this will do it!!!  I feel like a new human being.  When you have an autoimmune disease, lectins are deadly for us.  Please, I urge all of you to do your homework on this...because doctors really aren't informed.

Wheatwacked Veteran
Wheatwacked
Posted

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/history-of-celiac-disease

"Doctors had known about celiac for years. But there was no consensus on its cause, or how to treat it. It acquired its name in 100 A.D., when Greek* physician Aretaeus of Cappadocia was stumped by an ailment with symptoms of weakness, malnutrition, and diarrhea, which he dubbed koiliakos." 

"In 1950, Dicke published his findings that wheat and rye flour aggravated celiac symptoms. Importantly, he also gave the children wheat starch to no ill effect, discounting the theory that complex carbohydrates were the cause. With the help of other colleagues, he later pinpointed gluten as the ultimate culprit."

On 10/28/2019 at 4:21 PM, kareng said:

Celiac is relatively new, and many doctors just don't know what to look for.

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted
(edited)
18 minutes ago, Wheatwacked said:

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/history-of-celiac-disease

"Doctors had known about celiac for years. But there was no consensus on its cause, or how to treat it. It acquired its name in 100 A.D., when Greek* physician Aretaeus of Cappadocia was stumped by an ailment with symptoms of weakness, malnutrition, and diarrhea, which he dubbed koiliakos." 

"In 1950, Dicke published his findings that wheat and rye flour aggravated celiac symptoms. Importantly, he also gave the children wheat starch to no ill effect, discounting the theory that complex carbohydrates were the cause. With the help of other colleagues, he later pinpointed gluten as the ultimate culprit."

The comment about “Celiac being new” that you are trying to claim I said - I didn’t.  If you look, you will see I quoted the person who said it.  Rather than argue a relatively minor point in her/ his post , I only addressed the misconception that having a gene for Celiac does not diagnose Celiac.  
 

 

Edited by kareng
Wheatwacked Veteran
Wheatwacked
Posted

Sorry I mis-copied that, I thought it was strange. It was Jenna1028 that made the original statement.

Jenna1028 Apprentice
Jenna1028
Posted
On 11/6/2019 at 2:27 PM, Wheatwacked said:

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/history-of-celiac-disease

"Doctors had known about celiac for years. But there was no consensus on its cause, or how to treat it. It acquired its name in 100 A.D., when Greek* physician Aretaeus of Cappadocia was stumped by an ailment with symptoms of weakness, malnutrition, and diarrhea, which he dubbed koiliakos." 

"In 1950, Dicke published his findings that wheat and rye flour aggravated celiac symptoms. Importantly, he also gave the children wheat starch to no ill effect, discounting the theory that complex carbohydrates were the cause. With the help of other colleagues, he later pinpointed gluten as the ultimate culprit."

yes, through my research I see that. But I've had celiac my entire life, and not one doctor has ever thought to test me. Maybe because of the internet some doctors are educating themselves. But if I showed the rash I have - after looking online - there is no reason a doctor couldn't figure out what it was. I just don't think they are used to seeing it yet. 

Miscarriages, migraines everyday, rashes since I was a kid, the list goes on and on. A doctor should've known. 

And for someone like me, who has been wheat free for fifteen years because of a wheat allergy diagnosis, chances are that any testing I do will show as negative because I do not ingest wheat on a daily basis. 

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,398
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Megannnnn
    Newest Member
    Megannnnn
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Coeliac UK Research Conference 2025

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Thanks for sharing this!
    • Scott Adams
      Shingles - Could It Be Related to Gluten/ Celiac

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I had the same thing happen to me at around your age, and to this day it's the most painful experience I've ever had. For me it was the right side of my head, above my ear, running from my nerves in my neck. For years before my outbreak I felt a tingling sensation shooting along the exact nerves that ended up exactly where the shingles blisters appeared. I highly recommend the two shot shingles vaccine as soon as your turn 50--I did this because I started to get the same tingling sensations in the same area, and after the vaccines I've never felt that again.  As you likely know, shingles is caused by chicken pox, which was once though of as one of those harmless childhood viruses that everyone should catch in the wild--little did they know that it can stay in your nervous system for your entire life, and cause major issues as you age.
    • trents
      Blood tests low iGA 4 years later digestive issues

      By trents · Posted

      Keep us posted.
    • Clear2me
      Gluten free nuts

      By Clear2me · Posted

      Thanks for the info. I recently moved to CA from Wyoming and in that western region the Costco and Sam's /Walmart Brands have many nuts and more products that are labeled gluten free. I was told it's because those products are packaged and processed  in different  plants. Some plants can be labeled  gluten free because the plant does not also package gluten products and they know that for example the trucks, containers equipment are not used to handle wheat, barely or Rye. The Walmart butter in the western region says gluten free but not here. Most of The Kirkland and Members Mark brands in CA say they are from Vietnam. That's not the case in Wyoming and Colorado. I've spoken to customer service at the stores here in California. They were not helpful. I check labels every time I go to the store. The stores where I am are a Sh*tshow. The Magalopoly grocery chain Vons/Safeway/Albertsons, etc. are the same. Fishers and Planters brands no longer say gluten free. It could be regional. There are nuts with sugar coatings and fruit and nut mixes at the big chains that are labeled gluten free but I don't want the fruit or sugar.  It's so difficult I am considering moving again. I thought it would be easier to find safe food in a more populated area. It's actually worse.  I was undiagnosed for most of my life but not because I didn't try to figure it out. So I have had all the complications possible. I don't have any spare organs left.  No a little gluten will hurt you. The autoimmune process continues to destroy your organs though you may not feel it. If you are getting a little all the time and as much as we try we probably all are and so the damage is happening. Now the FDA has pretty much abandoned celiacs. There are no requirements for labeling for common allergens on medications. All the generic drugs made outside the US are not regulated for common allergens and the FDA is taking the last gluten free porcine Thyroid med, NP Thyroid, off the market in 2026. I was being glutened by a generic levothyroxin. The insurance wouldn't pay for the gluten free brand any longer because the FDA took them all off their approved formulary. So now I am paying $147 out of pocket for NP Thyroid but shortly I will have no safe choice. Other people with allergies should be aware that these foreign generic pharmaceutical producers are using ground shellfish shell as pill coatings and anti-desicants. The FDA knows this but  now just waits for consumers to complain or die. The take over of Wholefoods by Amazon destroyed a very reliable source of good high quality food for people with allergies and for people who wanted good reliably organic food. Bezos thought  he could make a fortune off people who were paying alot for organic and allergen free food by substituting cheap brands from Thailand. He didn't understand who the customers were who were willing to pay more for that food and why. I went from spending hundreds to nothing because Bezo removed every single trusted brand that I was buying. Now they are closing Whole foods stores across the country. In CA, Mill Valley store (closed July 2025) and the National Blvd. store in West Los Angeles (closed October 2025). The Cupertino store will close.  In recent years I have learned to be careful and trust no one. I have been deleberately glutened in a restaurant that was my favorite (a new employee). The Chef owner was not in the kitchen that night. I've had  a metal scouring pad cut up over my food.The chain offered gluten free dishes but it only takes one crazy who thinks you're a problem as a food fadist. Good thing I always look. Good thing they didn't do that to food going to a child with a busy mom.  I give big tips and apologize for having to ask in restaurants but mental illness seem to be rampant. I've learn the hard way.          I don't buy any processed food that doesn't say gluten free.  I am a life long Catholic. I worked for the Church while at college. I don't go to Church anymore because the men at the top decided Jesus is gluten. The special hosts are gluten less not gluten free. No I can't drink wine after people with gluten in their mouth and a variety of deadly germs. I have been abandoned and excluded by my Church/Family.  Having nearly died several times, safe food is paramount. If your immune system collapses as mine did, you get sepsis. It can kill you very quickly. I spent 5 days unconscious and had to have my appendix and gall bladder removed because they were necrotic. I was 25. They didn't figure out I had celiac till I was 53. No one will take the time to tell you what can happen when your immune system gets overwhelmed from its constant fighting the gluten and just stops. It is miserable that our food is processed so carelessly. Our food in many aspects is not safe. And the merging of all the grocery chains has made it far worse. Its a disaster. Krogers also recently purchased Vitacost where I was getting the products I could no longer get at Whole Foods. Kroger is eliminating those products from Vitacost just a Bezos did from WF. I am looking for reliable and certified sources for nuts. I have lived the worst consequences of the disease and being exposed unknowingly and maliciously. Once I was diagnosed I learned way more than anyone should have to about the food industry.  I don't do gray areas. And now I dont eat out except very rarely.  I have not eaten fast food for 30 years before the celiac diagnosis. Gluten aside..... It's not food and it's not safe.  No one has got our backs. Sharing safe food sources is one thing we can do to try to be safe.        
    • Mmoc
      Blood tests low iGA 4 years later digestive issues

      By Mmoc · Posted

      Thank you kindly for your response. I have since gotten the other type of bloods done and am awaiting results. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.