DH and being glutened??

[Katie27212]

Hey everyone, I was diagnosed about a year and a half ago from having back pain and DH. I went off to college and have been being glutened without my knowledge. Ever since I’ve had a mimic of a yeast infection however the results always come back negative for it. I have itching outside and the extra discharge. Not to mention I have DH all over my arms. Could this be because of the gluten? Has anyone has anything similar? TIA

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, Katie!

May we assume the yeast infection you refer to is vaginal? Yeast infections can occur in other places such as feet and mouths and even intestines - any place that stays moist and shielded from sunlight and air. Yeast feeds off sugar and carbohydrates so if your eating habits include a lot of these, you should look at that. You should also be checked for diabetes if you recently have not. 

As for the DH, that can and usually is directly connected to gluten intake. It can also be exacerbated by iodine so if you eat foods high in iodine (such as shell fish) or use iodized table salt that is something to look at. There is a medication called Dapsone which effectively controls DH.

Can you explain how it is at college you have been getting glutened without your knowledge? Sounds like you may need to take your celiac disease more seriously and educate yourself as to how gluten is hidden in food and terminology and also about the issue of cross contamination. It's easy to eat lower gluten by cutting out major sources of gluten containing grains. But eating truly gluten free is much more of a challenge. And it typically is socially limiting - a big issue for someone in their college years. This might be helpful: 

 

 

Edited October 9, 2022 by trents

[Katie27212]

1 hour ago, trents said:

Welcome to the forum, Katie!

May we assume the yeast infection you refer to is vaginal? Yeast infections can occur in other places such as feet and mouths and even intestines - any place that stays moist and shielded from sunlight and air. Yeast feeds off sugar and carbohydrates so if your eating habits include a lot of these, you should look at that. You should also be checked for diabetes if you recently have not. 

As for the DH, that can and usually is directly connected to gluten intake. It can also be exacerbated by iodine so if you eat foods high in iodine (such as shell fish) or use iodized table salt that is something to look at. There is a medication called Dapsone which effectively controls DH.

Can you explain how it is at college you have been getting glutened without your knowledge? Sounds like you may need to take your celiac disease more seriously and educate yourself as to how gluten is hidden in food and terminology and also about the issue of cross contamination. It's easy to eat lower gluten by cutting out major sources of gluten containing grains. But eating truly gluten free is much more of a challenge. And it typically is socially limiting - a big issue for someone in their college years. This might be helpful: 

 

 

Actually I eat from the dining hall in a part labeled gluten free and have had problems in the past and they said this year they finally understood celiacs and they were wrong. It is NOT my fault at all with being glutened as I don’t cook the food and since it’s a small college 2 hrs from my house I can’t just cook my own food.

The yeast infection is vaginal and is also NOT a yeast infection it is a mimic of it and yes I’ve been tested for everything and it’s all negative yet still have the symptoms for it. Therefore was wondering if the DH could travel and maybe that’s what it was and was seeing if anyone else has that problem.

thank you

[trents]

I am glad the food services at your school is now getting up to speed on really understanding what gluten free involves. I hope they actually have gained the necessary insight to serve truly gluten free food and keep you and others safe. 

I have never heard of a yeast infection being mimicked or DH going internal. But we are learning more about gluten disorders every day. My wife gets the real thing yeast infection every so often and has to take nystatin when it occurs.

[knitty kitty]

@Katie27212,

Welcome to the forum!

The excess vaginal discharge and itching can be due to deficiencies in several B Complex vitamins.  

Deficiencies in Riboflavin and Pyridoxine (Vitamin B2 and B6) can cause itching and skin problems in the genital area. 

Deficiency in Thiamine Vitamin B1 can cause excessive vaginal discharge.  I experienced this.  

Deficiency in Niacin Vitamin B3 can cause skin rashes.

Also Vitamin C deficiency can cause rashes.  Deficiency in Vitamin A can cause skin changes and rashes.

Have you been checked for vitamin and mineral deficiencies?  Are you taking a B Complex supplement?  Celiac Disease is a disease of malabsorption of nutrients.  Supplementing while you are healing is beneficial.  Talk to your doctor or a nutritionist.

I understand about the time constraints of student life, but you may want to consider taking a sack lunch with you.  

As hard as it is to hear, you are responsible for your own care and feeding.  Many of us must come to terms with the fact that eating outside of our home carries risks.  Non-Celiacs just don't understand (or care) how easily cross contamination can happen in food preparation.  

It's a steep learning curve, but you're making great progress!  Be encouraged!