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Recurring Back Itch

RiceGuy

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RiceGuy Collaborator
RiceGuy
Posted

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?

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cornbread Explorer
cornbread
Posted

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 Contributor
mart
Posted

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 Enthusiast
Rusla
Posted

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 Newbie
missylynn1
Posted
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 Contributor
skbird
Posted

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 Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

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.

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RiceGuy Collaborator
RiceGuy
Posted
  • Author
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 Enthusiast
Judyin Philly
Posted
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 Collaborator
Rachel--24
Posted

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. :huh: It was juicy and flavorful. Anyone react from turkey? My head feels better today but I'm still itchy. :(

kevsmom Contributor
kevsmom
Posted

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 Enthusiast
Rusla
Posted
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 Rookie
lovetoeat
Posted

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 Enthusiast
Rusla
Posted
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.

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    • trents
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

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    • catnapt
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

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    • trents
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome, @catnapt! The most recent guidelines are the daily consumption of a minimum of 10g of gluten (about the amount found in 4-6 slices of wheat bread) for a minimum of two weeks. But if possible stretching that out even more would enhance the chances of getting valid test results. These guidelines are for those who have been eating gluten free for a significant amount of time. It's called the "gluten challenge".  Yes, you can develop celiac disease at any stage of life. There is a genetic component but also a stress trigger that is needed to activate the celiac genes. About 30-40% of the general population possesses the genetic potential to develop celiac disease but only about 1% of the general population actually develop celiac disease. For most with the potential, the triggering stress event doesn't happen. It can be many things but often it is a viral infection. Having said that, it is also the case that many, many people who eventually are diagnosed with celiac disease probably experienced the actual onset years before. Many celiacs are of the "silent" type, meaning that symptoms are largely missing or very minor and get overlooked until damage to the small bowel lining becomes advanced or they develop iron deficiency anemia or some other medical problem associated with celiac disease. Many, many are never diagnosed or are diagnosed later in life because they did not experience classic symptoms. And many physicians are only looking for classic symptoms. We now know that there are over 200 symptoms/medical problems associated with celiac disease but many docs are only looking for things like boating, gas, diarrhea. I certainly understand your concerns about not wanting to damage your body by taking on a gluten challenge. Your other option is to totally commit to gluten free eating and see if your symptoms improve. It can take two years or more for complete healing of the small bowel lining once going gluten free but usually people experience significant improvement well before then. If their is significant improvement in your symptoms when going seriously gluten free, then you likely have your answer. You would either have celiac disease or NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity).
    • catnapt
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      By catnapt · Posted

      after several years of issues with a para-gland issue, my endo has decided it's a good idea for me to be tested for celiac disease. I am 70 yrs old and stunned to learn that you can get celiac this late in life. I have just gradually stopped eating most foods that contain gluten over the past several years- they just make me feel ill- although I attributed it to other things like bread spiking blood sugar- or to the things I ate *with* the bread or crackers etc   I went to a party in Nov and ate a LOT of a vegan roast made with vital wheat gluten- as well as stuffing, rolls and pie crust... and OMG I was so sick! the pain, the bloating, the gas, the nausea... I didn't think it would ever end (but it did) and I was ready to go the ER but it finally subsided.   I mentioned this to my endo and now she wants me to be tested for celiac after 2 weeks of being on gluten foods. She has kind of flip flopped on how much gluten I should eat, telling me that if the symptoms are severe I can stop. I am eating 2-3 thin slices of bread per day (or english muffins) and wow- it does make me feel awful. But not as bad as when I ate that massive amnt of vital wheat gluten. so I will continue on if I have to... but what bothers me is - if it IS celiac, it seems stupid for lack of a better word, to intentionally cause more damage to my body... but I am also worried, on the other hand, that this is not a long enough challenge to make the blood work results valid.   can you give me any insight into this please?   thank you
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