Recurring Back Itch

[RiceGuy]

I was just thinking about how when I was little I often had an itchy back. I recall my mother thinking it might be an allergy to nightshades, since she has such an allergy. She also would have a back itch, and kept a back scratcher handy. For me it would come and go, but never any rash or anything, just an itch. It was sorta all over too, so I'd just scratch around until it faded enough to ignore. That would take anywhere from a few minutes to nearly an hour. This went on for a number of years, but it did eventually stop.

Now I'm wodering if this was a gluten reaction. Has anyone else had anything similar?

[cornbread]

I come from a long line of back scratchers! I don't get this nearly as often now that I'm gluten free, so you could be on to something...

[mart]

My celiac disease son definitely has back itch daily and all over sometimes too! He also has no rash. I'll bet it is caused by celiac disease. Glad to know yours went away!

[Rusla]

As I write this I am going mad with not just itchy back but head etc. I have had to go back on gluten for this week, which ends tomorrow. When I was off of gluten I did not have an itchy back, head, etc. Now I am at work and losing my mind from it, I would say there is a correlation.

[missylynn1]

As I write this I am going mad with not just itchy back but head etc. I have had to go back on gluten for this week, which ends tomorrow. When I was off of gluten I did not have an itchy back, head, etc. Now I am at work and losing my mind from it, I would say there is a correlation.

i feel your pain for years doctors told me that it is in my head. finally called doctor and told him he had to do something i ended up having dermatitis herpetaformis which is an allergy to gluten. had biopsy of stomach and also have sprue. so keep on your doctor till you find out. good luck!!!!

[skbird]

I have noticed that when I have gluten, I get itchy around my collar bone area. This sometimes happens when I have corn, too, but mainly non-organic corn.

I used to always have an itchy back in the winter, and last year it stopped (I had just gone gluten free). But I also was taking in regular supplemental oils so I figured that was the reason. However, this year my back isn't feeling like that and it's cold already, so it is different. Maybe gluten?

Stephanie

[jerseyangel]

I have a problem w/ itching (no rash) on my arms, back, thighs and the inside of my ears. Before gluten-free, it would get awful--even the water from the shower would sting. I tried changing soap, laundry det. etc. Since being gluten-free, it is much improved--I still get it at times, I don't always know what triggers it.

[RiceGuy]

I have noticed that when I have gluten, I get itchy around my collar bone area. This sometimes happens when I have corn, too, but mainly non-organic corn.

I used to always have an itchy back in the winter, and last year it stopped (I had just gone gluten free). But I also was taking in regular supplemental oils so I figured that was the reason. However, this year my back isn't feeling like that and it's cold already, so it is different. Maybe gluten?

Stephanie

Now that you mention it, I seem to recall something about the winter time having an effect. I do know that I get serious allergic reactions from GM (genetically modified) corn too. I can eat organic corn with no problems.

[Judyin Philly]

Now that you mention it, I seem to recall something about the winter time having an effect. I do know that I get serious allergic reactions from GM (genetically modified) corn too. I can eat organic corn with no problems.

RiceGuy

I put a post on earlier today re: itching.

I was going crazy until I changed my shampo, conditioner and body lotion.

I never thought about shampo until lots of people on the forum told me about the shampo issue. It made sence to me since it goes all down your body while in the shower.

My skin is not as dry and i don't have to put lotion on every hr.

Winter is bad anyway for drying your skin.

Good luck

Judy

[Rachel--24]

I used to be itchy all the time but never thought much about it. I'm just realizing (after reading this) the itchiness went away...probably when I went gluten-free...dont know cuz I wasnt really paying much attention. I had far worse symptoms to deal with.

Anyways....since Thanksgiving night I've been itching again. Its not a rash...just prickly/itchy type feelings everywhere. I did have a reaction that night but as far as I know my meal was gluten-free. Now I'm curious about the turkey cuz each time I've had turkey leftovers I've gotten symptoms. Turkeys dont have gluten do they? Mine was from whole foods and I'm pretty sure they dont put anything in their meats but it sure had more flavor then most turkey I eat. It was juicy and flavorful. Anyone react from turkey? My head feels better today but I'm still itchy.

[kevsmom]

I also keep a back scratcher handy, because my 17 year old son doesn't want to touch my back to scratch it. If I am really desperate, I will use a pair of scissors or a letter opener. I also have an itchy belly, but I can scratch that myself (as long as I don't get caught - people at work think I'm crazy enough already - I have to watch it with the letter opener too).

This has been going on for long before I went gluten-free. As a matter of fact, I inherited the back scratcher from my father, who passed away 10 years ago. He had a iliostomy due to ulcerative colitis many decades ago. I know he was never tested for Celiac. Hmmm.... I wonder?

[Rusla]

i feel your pain for years doctors told me that it is in my head. finally called doctor and told him he had to do something i ended up having dermatitis herpetaformis which is an allergy to gluten. had biopsy of stomach and also have sprue. so keep on your doctor till you find out. good luck!!!!

I saw the dermatologist who said I couldn't have DH because it was in other places and not the normal places, he was suprised I was gluten intolerant because of my weight. I informed him I know other people with celiac disease who have the same problems right down to the weight. He stood there shocked. I then asked him to do a skin biopsy. We shall see, what becomes of this. I so wonder why doctors can't look outside of the box.

I will not go back on gluten again. Even being back off gluten for one day the itchiness has considerabley subsided. I am so sick and tired of the medical profession. Last week when I had to be on gluten, I felt so sick and cried for the first two days because I was back on it and the only reason I don't feel great yesterday and today is because of gluten residue still in my body.

[lovetoeat]

My arms and legs are getting bumps and they itch like crazy!! Could this be gluten related? My IGG blood work came back high but the other two came back really low.....I go back to the doc again tomorrow...

[Rusla]

My arms and legs are getting bumps and they itch like crazy!! Could this be gluten related? My IGG blood work came back high but the other two came back really low.....I go back to the doc again tomorrow...

It could be or it could be an allergy to other things also. Perhaps keep a diary of what you eat each day.